Client Assistance Specialist

Client Assistance Specialist

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Please note:

The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $67,672 to $97,253, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.”

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for the delivery of the County’s public health and human services that must meet the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults, and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a Department, we believe health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential.

HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

The programs of Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH) have a common vision: access by all people to safe, affordable housing, and opportunities to improve quality of life. The mission of SEPH is to make homelessness a rare, brief, and non-recurring event by operating from a Housing First philosophy. SEPH provides a full continuum of services including housing stabilization, homeless diversion, and permanent housing;

and employs evidence-based and promising practices. SEPH programs collaborate with public and private partners through the Interagency Commission on Homelessness.

The purpose of Housing Stabilization Services is to empower Montgomery County residents to become more secure in their housing. We partner with our county residents and restore hope that they can be self-sufficient and improve their quality of life. Mental Health America defines this as “Stable (or secure) housing means that you aren’t living in uncertainty about your housing situation and generally have a choice over when to move.”

To meet this goal, Housing Stabilization Services provides prevention case management to identify the needs of and refer County residents to the resources to help meet those needs. This can include supports such as: tenant rights, financial literacy, employment, behavioral health, and if eligible, the funds to support housing stability.

Housing Stabilization Services within SEPH is currently recruiting for an individual to serve as a frontline caseworker within the Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) program, providing direct support to individuals and families facing housing-related emergencies. The Client Assistance Specialist plays a critical role in preventing homelessness by assessing eligibility, determining need, and facilitating access to emergency financial assistance and supportive services. Through housing-focused case management, the CAS develops individualized plans that promote long-term stability and connect clients to appropriate community and government resources.

• Conducting intake interviews and comprehensive assessments for individuals and families experiencing housing crises, such as eviction threats due to past-due rent, utility disconnections, or the need for relocation-related assistance including security deposits, first months’ rent, and emergency assistance.
• Determining or facilitating the assessment and determination of eligibility and prioritizing service needs in alignment with County, State, and federal guidelines.
• Developing client-centered service plans that address immediate…