Job Role Summary

Provides a variety of counseling services to clients/residents to assist in complying with health ordinances and acts as a liaison between residents and referral agencies; provides environmental health education and assistance to residents through home visits and presentations to various neighborhood groups and schools.

Essential Duties

• Under general supervision and/or as part of various workgroups and teams, the Community Resource Liaison performs the following functions within the framework of the Marion County Public Health Department’s provision of the core functions and the 10 essential services of public health:
• Receives referrals from various environmental health staff.
• Conducts home visits in Marion County to perform needs assessment of the home/family, provides advocacy referrals, and performs liaison functions with appropriate local, State, and Federal agencies.
• Assists clients in locating and obtaining assistance from various agencies to comply with health ordinances and provides general environmental health education and mental health support.
• Submits Social Work referrals to Housing Social Worker and/or Social Work Department.
• Instructs residents in and reinforces effective sanitation practices.
• Writes progress notes, social histories, and summaries on all clients referred; maintains appropriate records and up-to-date files; maintains regular communication with respective Environmental Health Specialists (EHS) and the Social Work department regarding progress of client’s assistance.
• Assists clients from initial Notice of Violation through completion of assistance process. Provides detailed assistance when needed (i.e., completing applications for client.)
• Actively seeks out new resources for clients.
• Locates and establishes sound working relationships with community resources, including but not limited to Community Development Corporations, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, CICOA, NeighborLink, Rehab Resource Center, and other non-profit, local, State and Federal agencies aiding the community.
• Conducts emergency outreach activities in response to or preparation of large-scale public health crises.
• Maintains efficient filing system for all records and literature related to activities; keeps assistance applications pamphlets, handouts, and literature up to date.
• Maintains confidential information with EHS and safeguards information concerning source of complaints, court actions, etc.
• Adheres to HIPAA privacy guidelines to protect client health information.
• Trained at the appropriate National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) level.
• Participates in the response to public health emergency preparedness exercises and response to public health emergencies, as directed.
• Participates in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. events totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or equivalent of 5 years or more experience in related health field required.
• Two years’ experience in a position with direct public contact, prior experience in social work or community outreach preferred.
• Knowledge of environmental hazards, sanitation principles and practices, agency and community resources and services, and departmental policies, procedures, and services.
• Knowledge of computer programs to effectively maintain records and data entry requirements, including use of Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to follow instructions and use tact and diplomacy in contacts with residents, clients, Environmental Health staff, and outside agency representatives.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in making environmental assessments and decisions.
• Communicate effectively with diverse people from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Perform duties with a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and initiative.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Apply social work techniques and principles toward productive problem-solving and support for clients.
• Possess strong organizational skills, including attention to detail and multi-tasking.
• Must have a Valid Indiana driver’s license, current certificate of vehicle insurance, and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of environmental hazards, sanitation principles and practices; agency and community resources and services, departmental policies, procedures, and services.
• Knowledge of computer programs to effectively maintain records and data entry requirements, including use of Microsoft Office Suite and Insight.
• Knowledge of core functions and essential services of public health, public health principles and disease process.
• Knowledge of environmental sciences and environmental public health principles.
• Basic understanding of environmental public health protection programs, laws, regulations, policies, and processes in Indiana and Marion County.
• Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques.
• Knowledge of federal, Indiana State and local environmental regulations that are applicable to a practitioner in a local public health agency.
• Knowledge of code enforcement techniques and evidence gathering.
• Must be able to work in stressful conditions and under time restraints.
• Ability to read and interpret maps or demonstrate proficient use of navigation applications.
• Effective written and oral communications, including conveying technical information to non-technical community members or clients.
• Ability to interpret and apply public health protection regulations.
• Ability to work independently and in team setting.
• Basic knowledge and use of computer data management systems.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness at home, work, and community settings.
• Knowledge of departments within both the Environmental Health and Population Health bureaus of the Marion County Public Health Department in order to integrate services.
• Ability to follow instructions and use tact and diplomacy in contacts with residents, Environmental Health staff and outside agency representatives.
• Exercise good judgment in making environmental assessments and decisions.
• Communicate effectively with diverse people from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Perform duties with a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and initiative.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Apply social work techniques and principles toward productive problem-solving and support for clients.

Working Enviornment

• General office setting in health department facilities, as well as community sites including clients’ homes or other workplaces.
• Work performed in the community is subject to conditions that range from inclement weather to dangerous conditions such as snow/ice, cold, heat, noise, wetness/humidity, vibration, sudden temperature changes, and poor illumination at the job site or due to travel on the job.
• Travel to and from field locations, often in high crime areas, may subject worker to increased risk of driving hazards and damage or vandalism to personal vehicle.
• Community locations, including clients’ homes and apartments, may subject worker to exposure to communicable diseases such as COVID-19, tuberculosis, and monkeypox; insects and disease vectors such as fleas, ticks, roaches, and bed bugs; hazardous materials; chemicals, toxins, mold, and noxious odors; animals such as dogs, rats, mice, and bats; and criminal activity. Personal protective is recommended and required in some instances.
• In all settings, employees in this classification may need to relate to members of the public who exhibit challenging, atypical, or hostile behaviors and/or communication.
• May be called upon to work irregular hours under undesirable and hazardous conditions.