CARES Social Worker

Salary : $68,259.24 - $95,562.88 Annually
Location : OH 43221, OH
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 00895
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 04/11/2025
Closing Date: 5/9/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Description
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

As part of the Fire Division's CARES Team, reporting directly to the CARES Program Manager, the position is a blend of case management, crisis response, administrative tasks, providing education, training and support to employees and the community, and supervision of students.

Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: For purposes of 42 USC 12101:

Through case management of clients, the CARES Social Worker plays a critical role in the effort to reduce the number of calls to law enforcement, fire, and EMS, provide alternative crisis solutions to the community, and build linkages to healthcare, social service, and other needed community resources.

Build relationships with clients to establish trust, empower them to be independent, and follow-up to ensure resources are utilized and offer assistance to reduce barriers and facilitate access to resources,

Respond to incidents, when appropriately cleared by law enforcement and EMS, to aid in: crisis intervention, advocacy, and resource connection.

Coordinates, monitors, and improves services and quality of life for residents of Upper Arlington in conjunction with other members of the CARES team; receives requests for information and referral assistance from the public. Manages automated applications related to client safety and well-being and daily home-check-ins.

Performs regular check in home visits and phone calls with clients, and maintains documentation and confidential patient information, keeping it organized and up to date.

Attends CARES team meetings and assists in planning, organizing, conducting community outreach programs, community events, and discussion groups to promote risk reduction and healthy behaviors; speaks to community groups and individuals to promote the CARES program and educate residents about available services.

Assists with CARES programing at the UA Community Center, including: one-on-one resource consultation, leading support groups, and leading mental health training and education.

Provides peer support and mental health training to City employees

Assists with developing and maintaining resource directories for internal and external use

Manages and supervises social work interns

Represents the Fire Division and City regarding community involvement and social service workgroups, participates in networking and community groups as a subject matter expert.

Develops instructional materials to train personnel with regards to mental health response, crisis intervention, substance abuse, social services resource allocation, and other topics as required.

Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees.

Maintains licenses and certifications as required, if any.

Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA safety standards that pertain to essential functions.

Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs other duties as required. (5%)

Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college/university.
• Minimum of 2 years in social services with extensive experience assisting vulnerable populations.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid state of Ohio motor vehicle operator's license, insurability under the city's vehicle insurance policy;
• CPR certification.

Supplemental Information
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (* indicates developed after employment).
Knowledge of:

• *Applicable laws, regulations, City policies, procedures, and requirements including Ohio Ethics law and Public Records law.

• Fire department operations, specifically the Upper Arlington Fire Division*;
• Radio communications;
• Familiarity with community risk reduction strategies.
• Geographical layout of municipality;
• Department policies and procedures;
• Social services and resources in central Ohio;

• Best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion practices, strategies, systems, and policies as it relates to area of work

• Medicare/Medicaid and other health insurance benefits.

Skill in:

• Proficient use of computer and software programs such as word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation applications. Must be able to effectively operate standard office equipment.
• Specialized in supporting individuals with homelessness, substance abuse, and mental illness.
• Documentation and maintenance of online client files
• Thorough knowledge of local, state, and national resources for at-risk populations
• Leading and facilitating support groups
• Verbal, written and interpersonal skills.

Ability to:

• Manage and prioritize tasks and projects;
• Solve problems, make decisions, resolve conflicts and listen effectively;
• Work in a dynamic environment;
• Calmly deal with crisis situations;
• Work in a team setting and work independently with limited direction;
• Exercise sound judgment under stressful circumstances;
• Follow oral and written instructions; develop and maintain working relationships with associates and the general public;
• Collect, analyze, interpret, and record data;
• Identify existing or potential problem areas and recommend corrective measures;
• Effectively manage time and capability to stay on task;
• Travel to residents' homes and work in a mobile setting;
• Demonstrated awareness of and an ability to effectively use communication that overcomes socio-cultural and lingual barriers, and to be aware of verbal and nonverbal forms of communication
• Effectively use and understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications;
• Provide high level of customer service to both internal and external customers
• Handle situations in a manner that is sensitive to inclusivity and cultural dynamics.
• Maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive information (HIPAA);

EQUIPMENT USED: The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive.

standard business office equipment, two-way radio.
INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY DEMANDING WORKING CONDITIONS:

The employee: has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); work is performed in both an office and an off-site environment; regularly required to move from location to location; routinely required to lift, carry, push, or pull objects 25 lbs. or less.

Note: In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this is considered sedentary work.
CITY VALUES:

Incumbent must model the following established city values: teamwork/collaboration, integrity, service, leadership, communication, growth, professionalism, and ethics.
The City of Upper Arlington offers an extensive benefits package. Benefits include:

• Paid Leave: Vacation, Sick, Personal, Holidays, Bereavement
• Health Insurance: Choice between Traditional PPO plan and High Deductible Plan with a Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance with Delta Dental of Ohio
• Vision Insurance with Eyemed
• Group Term Life Insurance with option to purchase supplemental coverage
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Service Credit Compensation
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program

01

Are you proficient with the use of office technology products, software programs and applications such as Microsoft Office and Adobe, to include, however, not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and Adobe Pro?
02

Have you lead of facilitated any kind of support group? if so, please explain.
03

Have you worked in any capacity that specialized in supporting individuals with homelessness, substance abuse and/or mental illness?
Required Question