Lili'uokalani Trust - HIRING NOW -Direct Services Specialist

Job Purpose

The Social Worker/ Direct Services Specialist (SW/DSS) provides professional casework, group work and community building services. Collaborate with teammates, other social service practitioners, and the community to facilitate and coordinate the LT and affiliates efforts to serve orphan and destitute Native Hawaiian children, youth, and ohana. The social services provided by the SW/DSS are framed within a cultural and assets-based philosophy. Following programming curriculum from the Innovative Practices and Clinical teams, the SW/DSS is directly responsible for the successful implementation of targeted service and treatment plan.

Essential Responsibilities

Provides in-depth counseling to assist individuals, families and groups addressing a variety of complex concerns. As needed, provides in-depth counseling/therapeutic services to the kamaliʻi (youth) as they participate in the micro, mezzo and macro levels of intervention (i.e. group work and youth development pathway activities).

Collaborates with clinical and innovative practices teams to inform, adapt, and prepare treatment plans for kamalii and their ohana. Reports on progress, outcomes, and additional adjustments applied during implementation to ensure quality and effective service as well as positive outcomes. Consults with clinical and innovative practices teams and provides recommendations based on observations and feedback from the direct service relationship.

Supports individuals, families, groups and communities in analyzing and strategizing methods, practices, and other dynamics that address identified needs and build upon their existing resources and strengths. Focuses service and treatment plans on sustainability and self-sufficiency. Facilitates leadership identification and development efforts within individuals, families, groups and communities. Encourages and develops them to assume increasing responsibility. Works with beneficiaries to establish clear and achievable long and short-range goals, outcomes, indicators, and budget for projects. Appropriately documents information.

Assesses individual and family situations to determine the ability of the family to provide a safe, nurturing home for the child(ren) and develops plans with the family to strengthen or remediate the situation.

Collaborates with Lead to provide permanency service for beneficiaries. As needed, completes home studies for adoption and guardianship cases.

Prepares for and attends court hearings providing written and/or verbal reports on behalf of a child and family. When appropriate, consults with Lead and fellow practitioners to ensure consistency and accuracy in documentation and information delivery.

Develops and maintains strong positive relationships with individuals, families, groups, communities, staff and management. Provides outreach services to individuals, groups, and communities regarding Liliʻuokalani Trust and affiliates’ programs and services.

Other duties:

Participates in program planning, budget development, revision, and evaluation.

Provides transportation for organization related business, such as driving staff, beneficiaries and/or families to assigned destinations.

Participates in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development.

Contributes to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improves team and organization results.

Qualifications

Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology or related social services degree.

At least two years post-Master's experience in casework/permanency planning and minimum one year community or macro level experience).

Hawaii State Professional License (Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Social Worker (LSW), preferred.

Valid driver license, clean traffic abstract, and access to a privately owned automobile with valid no-fault insurance.

TB clearance.

First Aid and CPR/AED Certification, preferred.

Job Competencies

Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services.

Ethical Practice: Models the highest level of ethics, integrity, LT values and social responsibility.

Communication: Clearly conveys and receives information and ideas to individuals or groups that engages the listener and invites response and feedback. Demonstrates good written, oral, and listening skills.

Cultural Competence: Respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds and is sensitive to group differences. Experience working with at-risk youth.

Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative, environment; commitment and ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships.

Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under-pressure, remain clam and controlled when face with difficult situation. Strives for immediate address.

Travel Requirements

In alignment with our organizational competencies of Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork) and Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement), this position will require occasional travel across the island, inter-island, and out-of-state depending on the needs of the team and the organization. While travel may not always be a need, the ability to travel when required remains a crucial aspect of this position in order to successfully contribute to our concerted efforts to carry out our Queen’s legacy.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time

Organization Competencies

Alignment with Queen’s legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.

Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.

Ho`ike i na Mana`o Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.

No'ono'o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations

Ho'o kumu a'e or `Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.

Pilina Ho`ohana a me ka Hana Hilina`i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust): Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward.

Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives.

Ho`onui I ka `Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Job Title: Social Worker/ Direct Services Specialist

Reports to: Social Services Team Lead

FLSA Status: FT; Exempt

Aligned Executive: Executive Director, Social Services

Kīpuka: Hilo

Department: Social Services

Physical Requirements

Performs light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 25 pounds. Exposed to outdoor climate and diverse terrain.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.