Position Openings: 1

Internal/External Opening: External

Location: Grand Rapids, Mn

Work Arrangement: In-person

Job Summary

Serve as the first point of contact to assist applicants with eligibility and enrollment. Assist applicants with program enrollment and confirmation of applicant supplied information.  Provide follow up communications and support for households in crisis as well as landlords or property managers. Work cooperatively with other social service providers and inter-agency programs to assist clients with referrals for other supports as needed. Support the agency mission of Building Community to End Poverty by assisting low-income households as completely as possible.

Ideal Candidate

  • The ideal candidate is people orientated, demonstrating a willingness to meet people where they are at. They maintain professional boundaries and remain calm when responding to people experiencing a crisis.
  • They demonstrate strong integrity, sound judgment, and a natural ability to build trust.
  • They are team oriented, and open to learning under the guidance of leadership and seasoned peers.
  • They are organized and committed to quality communication.
Application for Employment

Job Posting Information

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or Associates/Two Year Degree in Human Services or related field
  • Office Experience
  • More than 1 year in-person experience working with people in poverty and crisis.
  • Acceptable BCA Background Study and MVR for use of Agency Vehicles

Schedule/Location

  • 40 Hours/Week
  • Daytime weekday shift- no nights, weekends, or holiday shifts.
  • Grand Rapids, MN

  Compensation

  • Starting Wage of $20.21 to $21.11/hour
  • Scheduled Raises & Cost of Living Allowances

 Benefits

  • Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO) Package + 14 Paid Holidays/year
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability Insurances,
  • Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Account options.
  • Retirement Plan with option for employer contribution
  • Tuition Assistance opportunities & Loan Forgiveness qualifying credit
  • Many Training and Professional Development opportunities.

Job Description

Qualifications

  • Education
    • High School Diploma or Associates/Two-Year College Degree in Human Services or related field
  • Experience
    • More than 1 year experience in working with people in poverty and crisis..
    • Office Experience
  • Authorizations
    • BCA Background Study
    • MVR Approval for use of agency vehicles
  • Skills
    • Ability to proficiently operate copy/fax machines, telephone, and computers and software, including email, spreadsheets and word processing.
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
    • Ability to manage time that results in both a satisfactory quantity and quality of work.
  • Abilities
    • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member.
    • Must be able to handle diverse work problems on a daily basis.
    • Must be able to organize a work schedule, set priorities and work effectively to meet deadlines without supervision.
    • Must be able to adjust to changes necessitated by last minute assignments and deadline requests that may prove stressful.
    • Must be able to work flexible hours as needed in order to meet the needs of the clients.
    • Attend trainings, classes, and meetings as necessary to improve job skills and maintain an acceptable level of job performance.
  • Other Knowledge
    • Knowledge of Community resources.
    • Understanding of the issues and barriers that lead to poverty.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned.

Area 1: Program Operations

  • Compile client data for grant reporting requirements.
  • Provide accurate and timely reporting as needed for all programs.
  • Maintain accurate digital and paper systems for all programs.
  • Maintain data quality for all program participants.
  • Help develop and provide documentation for outcome based measurement goals.

Area 2: Program Compliance

  • Maintain confidentiality of all client private data.
  • Interpret and comprehend program policy and procedures.

Area 3: Community Engagement

  • Perform public speaking engagements on behalf of the agency.
  • Assist with Crisis Services Team events and promotion of all KOOTASCA programs and building community awareness surrounding the issues of homelessness, poverty, SOAR and MNsure at community resource and outreach events.
  • Distribute program information along with referral and release of information forms to local social service providers.
  • Knowledge of Community resources.
  • Take a lead role in Community Awareness Events in the area including but not limited to Community Connect, Homeless Awareness, Hunger, Poverty and other events.
  • Represent KOOTASCA Community Action through attendance at meetings and training seminars as necessary.

Area 4: Program Intake & Communications

  • Assist clients with their applications using various methods, including telephone calls, internet calls, texts and emails, with an emphasis on in-person interviews.
  • Use strong customer service skills to provide excellent service.
  • Refer clients to, or coordinate with other KOOTASCA departments and/or community organizations to resolve client crisis needs beyond housing insecurity.
  • Attend team meetings and conference calls.

Area 5: Conduct

  • Comply with all policies and procedures of the agency as well as all programs.
  • Treat clients, co-workers, and the public in a respectful and courteous manner at all times
  • Demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
  • Maintain confidentiality of agency and program issues as well as adhere to the Government Data Practices Act.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member, to organize a work schedule and work effectively to meet deadlines without supervision.

Area 6: Leadership

  • Ability to innovate to solve problems and improve programs.
  • Assist Crisis Housing Case Managers with client eligibility and landlord issues.

Job Factors

Supervision of Others: 

  • Not responsible for supervision of others

Safety of Others

  • Minimal responsibility for the safety of others. Probability of injury to self or others is remote.

Contacts

  • Contact is within own department, and with other departments, clients, vendors, or the public.

Physical Demand

  • Must be able to lift 25 pounds
  • Requires sitting, standing, bending, stooping and reaching.

Travel

  • Must have reliable transportation.
  • Must have valid driver’s license and current auto insurance coverage in compliance with Minnesota State guidelines on the vehicle used for work related travel.
  • Travel for completion of job duties, trainings and meetings as required.

General Agency Requirements

Professionalism:

  • Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters good relations with clients, customers, co-workers, providers, volunteers, and supervisors.
  • Treat clients, co-workers, and the public in a respectful and courteous manner at all times.
  • Continue to develop skills and abilities.

Community Representation:

  • Represent KOOTASCA Community Action, Inc. in a positive manner.
  • Adhere to the Community Action Code of Ethics.
  • Seek to understand poverty and the barriers faced by community members.

Confidentiality:

  • Maintain confidentiality of agency, program, and client information.

KOOTASCA Community Action an Equal Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) Employer. We recruit, hire, place, promote, terminate, layoff, recall, transfer, compensate, and train without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This information will be made available in alternative formats upon request.