Job Summary:

Responsible for accomplishing department goals, objectives, and timelines required by the department’s core programs. This involves providing information, training, resources, and emotional support to families of children with unique needs and providing support and training on where, when, and how to access Community Resources, Social Services, and Regional Center Services for those families. Maintain accurate records of all contacts with family and support services.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the day-to-day activities related to the Community Navigator grant.
• Provide support and training workshops for Special Education, IHSS, SSI, and other generic community services.
• Provide support and training related to Regional Center eligibility, services, and vendor programs.
• Assist families to assess barriers faced by individuals to determine relevant service referrals and needs and link families to those services/systems.
• Support groups of individuals, providing resources and referrals, follow-up contacts, and collaborating with community partners.
• Communicate collaboratively, utilizing proper channels of communication to express concerns or conflicts in a constructive manner and offer input into problem resolution.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge related to services provided, including professional training and expertise in various community resources for families, youth, and adults.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to working with culturally, economically, and/or socially diverse populations.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize responsibilities to ensure adequate, timely services to the family.
• Responsible for collecting, summarizing, and reporting all data and information required by the program. 
• Provide quality services based on program standards.
• Continue skill development related to job responsibilities by attending approved training and participating in developing and achieving the program, department, and personal goals.
• Maintain, manage, and assist in processing records and reports, including filing and maintaining charts, in a confidential manner that always meets HIPAA and other applicable confidentiality regulations.
• Position requires occasional overnight travel.
• The position's working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., from the Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, and Merced facilities. The employee must also be available to work evenings and weekends when required.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by the Director, Manager or Chief Executive Officer.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of 12 units in Social Services, Special Education, or other related field or demonstrate knowledge through comparable work experience. Prefer a parent or close family member of a person with special health care, developmental or emotional challenges.

Skills: Must have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, be able to make independent decisions within guidelines, accept responsibility, be dependable, reliable, time management, committed, highly motivated, have professional code of ethics and professional demeanor, must be adaptable, use good judgment, logic skills, are self-confident, capable.

Experience:

•  2+ years’ experience working with families of individuals living with a disability.
•  Bi-lingual in Spanish or Hmong is a plus.
•  Experience as a Trainer implementing best practices in training.
•  Knowledge of regional community resources available for individuals with disabilities.
•  Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
•  Hold a valid California Driver's license and good driving record with no serious violations for the previous two-year period and be able to provide proof of current automobile liability insurance.

Physical Demands:

Typical Working Condition: Staff must travel within the assigned region and work out of community resource facilities. EPU does not control the locations and conditions of all the environments in which staff may be asked to work.  

Equipment Used: Personal vehicle for transportation to attend meetings in the local area, computers, printers, telephones, and fax machines.

Essential Physical Tasks: Must be able to sit for long periods, working with a keyboard or computer screen.

This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification. However, it is intended to reflect the principal job elements accurately. Related duties, knowledge, or skills to those explicitly stated may also be required for the successful performance of the position.