County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to provide a variety of information and referral services to the elderly, including: Answering telephone inquiries; making referrals; following up on referrals; and performing related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The incumbents of this classification have responsibility for providing direct community resource referral services. The Information and Referral class is distinguished from that of Social Worker I, in that the Social Worker I class is an entry-level professional classification responsible for providing comprehensive casework for a variety of clients and is not limited to elementary client evaluation and referral. Information and Referral Workers are employed in the Department on Aging of the Social Services Agency and receive supervision from a Program Services Coordinator in providing resource referral services to the elderly.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Receives phone calls from senior citizens and conducts interviews to assess needs of client; upon proper evaluation, provides information and referral of community resources to these clients; sends clients information; makes follow-up calls to various agencies in order to assist clients; may assist walk-in clients.

2. Participates in community outreach efforts involving presentations before public and private groups concerning information and referral services; distributes directories and conducts orientation sessions regarding the use of the information directory.

3. Prepares client reports, periodic reports and correspondence as required; maintains client file and other related records.

4. May assist in the production of the information and referral directory, and in the recruitment of participating resource agencies, or other community service organizations.

5. Follows up on statistical sample of referrals for evaluation and planning purposes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of six months of experience in information referral, social services, or counseling, preferably involving elderly persons.

License:

Some positions in this class require possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Information and referral delivery systems.
• General knowledge of the aging process.
• Understanding of the needs of elderly persons in Alameda County.

Abilities:

• Speaking clearly and effectively to individuals or groups.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others.
• Utilizing resource material effectively.
• Relating and working well with people of all socio-economic backgrounds.
• Working under pressure and under varying adverse conditions.
• Interpreting and applying complex laws and regulations.
• Rapidly learning and available community resources and the geographic and socio-economic areas of Alameda County.
• Writing and maintaining complete and accurate records and reports.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

PP:mp
9/76
TT:Lm-h
Revised: 6/83
Old document: 1703H
New document: Jobspecs6929
ys/4/01
CSC Date: 7/7/93

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.