Social Services Specialist Jobs for OPT Students

Summary

Public Health – Jail Health Services (JHS) is seeking Social Services Specialist (Court Services Community Health Worker) to join its innovative team. Community Health Workers (CHWs) provide health education, resource navigation, and supportive services to individuals releasing from jail or engaging with therapeutic court services. Working across multiple Public Health and community locations, CHWs collaborate closely with social workers, SUD care coordinators, nurses, interpreters, and other providers to ensure seamless care and successful transitions into the community.

This position requires a strong commitment to equity and social justice, and an understanding of the challenges faced by individuals involved in the criminal legal system. CHWs actively support clients in accessing health care, behavioral health treatment, housing, and benefits, while advocating for fair, respectful, and compassionate services for all. Public Health values and actively seeks applicants from diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience of substance use, incarceration, houselessness, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities. If you are passionate about supporting diverse populations and improving health outcomes, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and the health of our community.

Background

Jail Health Services (JHS), a division of Public Health – Seattle & King County, is seeking a dedicated Community Health Worker (CHW) to join our social services team. As part of our dynamic, multidisciplinary healthcare staff, CHWs play a vital role in supporting individuals during their transition from jail to the community. By building trust and removing barriers, CHWs help clients access healthcare, behavioral health treatment, housing, benefits, and other essential resources that promote healthier, more meaningful lives. In this role, you will engage directly with clients using a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and patient-centered approach. CHWs provide practical support such as transportation coordination, health education, connection to benefits and entitlements, and linkage to culturally relevant community resources. By meeting clients where they are and advocating for their needs, CHWs are essential partners in ensuring a smoother transition and successful reentry after incarceration.

JHS provides comprehensive health and social services to individuals incarcerated in King County’s two adult correctional facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, WA, and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, WA. Core services include medical, dental, mental health, social services, release planning, substance use disorder treatment, and pharmacy. Our division is staffed 24/7, 365 days a year, with over 250 employees and an annual budget of more than $60 million. We are committed to ensuring that high-quality health and human services are available to people while they are incarcerated, with a strong focus on equity, harm reduction, and continuity of care upon release. Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, for 8 hours per week (work schedules are flexible and accommodations can be made). This is a non-exempt position and is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Work Location

The primary work location for this position will be at the King County Courthouse located at 516 3rd Ave Seattle, WA 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Job Duties

• Provide person-centered support grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.
• Help clients meet immediate needs through brief assessment, crisis support, and active listening.
• Connect clients to primary and specialty health care.
• Link clients with mental health services and ongoing support.
• Refer and connect clients to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.
• Coordinate access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) providers.
• Assist clients in securing safe and stable housing.
• Connect clients to additional community resources based on their needs.
• Schedule and accompany clients to release-day and community appointments; provide and coordinate transportation support as needed.
• Share clear, culturally relevant health information and harm reduction supplies.
• Support clients in accessing Medicaid, insurance, benefits, and public transportation.
• Advocate with providers to ensure follow-through on referrals and services.
• Maintain accurate records using electronic charting and scheduling systems.
• Keep current information on community resources and referral options.
• Collaborate with partner agencies, attend team meetings, and contribute to ongoing training.
• Participate in program meetings, presentations, and continuing education on substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and related topics.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
• Will be required to move and lift supplies and workplace items on up to 20-25 lbs with or without accommodation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

• Valid, unrestricted Washington State Driver’s License and ability to travel within King County on a flexible schedule.
• Washington State Department of Health Community Health Worker certification (required within 12 months of hire).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification.
• Will be required to move and lift supplies and workplace items on up to 20-25 lbs with or without accommodation.
• Knowledge and application of harm reduction principles and trauma-informed care.
• Experience providing direct services in a health, human services, or community setting.
• Familiarity with social, health, and community resources in King County and Washington State.
• Ability to establish rapport, provide support, and advocate for diverse clients, including individuals who are unhoused, actively using substances, or living with complex health challenges.
• Understanding of racial equity, social justice, health promotion, and public health approaches to care.
• Experience using de-escalation techniques in high-stress or high-conflict situations.
• Knowledge of issues related to incarceration and substance use.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage respectfully across cultures, identities, and lived experiences.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and supportive relationships with clients.
• Skill in coordinating referrals to community services that address health and safety needs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and comfort using electronic systems with dropdown menus, multiple screens, and point-and-click navigation.
• Ability to document and summarize client interactions accurately in an electronic medical record system.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and adapt to changing work environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively with partners and advocate effectively during care coordination.

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):

• Formal education in health, behavioral health, or social services, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional and lived experience.
• Extensive experience working in or alongside social service or justice-involved organizations.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in areas such as substance use, harm reduction, sexual health, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, and related public health concerns.
• Experience working with therapeutic courts, mental health courts, or other diversion programs, with an understanding of their goals, processes, and partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Lived experience relevant to justice involvement, behavioral health, recovery, or reentry (strongly valued).

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply

This opportunity is open to all qualified applicants.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume (Outlining relevant experience)

(Please note: additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above.)

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Contact

If you have questions or would like more information about the application process, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at sduckworth@kingcounty.gov.

Necessary Special Requirements

The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.

• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation and Pre-employment Physical, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with ongoing work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Additional Information

Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:

• Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
• Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
• Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone.

The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.

Union Membership

This position is represented by the PROTEC17 labor union.