About the position

This role involves conducting all aspects of The Salvation Army Social Services Ministry. The individual will work as a team with Corps Officers to encourage client participation in the holistic program of The Salvation Army. Responsibilities include developing programs to meet community needs, processing forms, maintaining client files, attending meetings, and conducting public presentations about Social Services. The role also requires networking with service provider agencies, researching community organizations for partnerships and funding sources, and coordinating seasonal projects. A key aspect is interviewing clients, assisting them in resolving crises, and empowering them through actions such as family budgeting, program participation, or referrals. Strict adherence to Salvation Army policies on confidentiality, release of information, and record retention is mandatory. The position may delegate certain tasks to volunteers or employees, such as processing forms, ordering and distributing food, preparing reports, stocking the food pantry, and assigning volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct all aspects of The Salvation Army Social Services Ministry
• Work as a team with Corps Officers to encourage clients to participate in the holistic program of The Salvation Army.
• Develop programs to meet community needs identified by the Timothy Group and other sources. This would included: (but not excluded to) Programming for Sr. Citizens, Organize networking among Community Social Service Agencies, classes in literacy for both adults and children, other support/education groups as deemed necessary by the current needs.
• Processing of forms, i.e, recording and maintaining client files according to Salvation Army standards.
• Attend Social Services Department Meetings, Employee Meetings and service provider agency meetings as requested.
• Conduct presentations about The Salvation Army Social Services to the public at service clubs, religious groups, etc.
• Network with service provider agencies, particularly as concerns duplications of Services.
• Conduct research into community organizations and business for possible Social Services partnerships and volunteers; create and maintain these partnerships.
• Conduct research into community resources to identify funding sources. These will be submitted to the Corps Officer to determine whether they are already on the donor list or under cultivation.
• Coordinate and implement seasonal projects: Dollar Energy, Bundle-Up, Thanksgiving assistance, Christmas assistance, Camp Allegheny, Adopt-a-Family, etc.
• Interview clients and assist in empowering clients to resolve the crisis with which they are confronted. This may include but should not be considered limited to meeting the immediate need; other actions such as family budgeting, participation in other Salvation Army programs, referral to other organizations, etc. may be required.
• Strictly adhere to Salvation Army policies pertaining to confidentiality, release of information, and retention and/or destruction of records. If client files are subpoenaed, the files are not to be released except on instruction of the Corps Officer or Director of Social Services.
• Processing forms and maintaining client files.
• Ordering food from Food Bank as needed and co-coordinating CSFP (Senior Food Boxes.)
• Preparing all paperwork in relation to Food Bank Order and faxing reports monthly.
• Stocking food in the Food Pantry.
• Packing and distributing food bags.
• Assigning volunteers to tasks in Food Pantry.
• Maintaining weekly, monthly, and other statistical reports.

Requirements

• Excellent counseling and listening skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and prioritize accordingly.
• Able to interact and communicate effectively with team members, clients and agencies.
• Knowledge of Microsoft computer applications.
• Flexibility and good organizational skills.
• Must have ability to adapt to various work locations and settings.
• Work with limited supervision.
• Must be familiar with social work ethics.
• Must have good time management skills.
• Must have a valid PA driver’s license.
• Respect of cultural differences, levels of education, physical functioning and crisis situation in a non-judgmental manner.
• Must be able to lift the food boxes
• All three PA Clearances required upon employment and thereafter upon renewal date: PA Child Abuse History Clearance, Request for Criminal Record, and Fingerprint based Federal Criminal History Report.
• PA Mandated and Permissive Reporting and The Salvation Army's KeepSAfe training required.
• At least 2 to 5 years of experience in social work or related field.

Nice-to-haves

• BA, BS Degree (not required but a plus) or above in Social Work or related discipline.