Sunnyvale Community Services Caseworker Sunnyvale, CA · Full time

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Sunnyvale Community Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing homelessness and hunger for individuals and families in Sunnyvale and surrounding communities. We provide emergency assistance, homelessness prevention services, and essential resources such as food, financial support, and case management. Our work is rooted in dignity, compassion, and equity. Each year, we serve thousands of community members through direct services and large-scale food distribution events, working closely with volunteers, community partners, and local agencies. What makes us stand out is our hands-on, client-centered approach and our commitment to meeting people where they are. Our team works collaboratively across programs to ensure families receive timely, respectful, and effective support during moments of crisis and transition.

The Caseworker is responsible for direct contact with clients, determining and verifying their needs, providing available financial and in-kind assistance for which clients may be eligible, and arranging for or providing referrals to appropriate outside services. The Caseworker assesses clients’ needs for financial help, food, and other emergency assistance services; determines what assistance can be provided by the agency and by outside resources; and advises clients on how to obtain appropriate services.

The Caseworker receives direction from the Program Manager of Client Services and the Director of Emergency Services. The Program Manager of Client Services and the Director of Emergency Services collaborate on the evaluation of the Caseworker. The position requires a substantial level of independent and collaborative decision-making, action, and responsibility with regard to determining clients’ eligibility for a variety of services.

This position requires bilingual communications in English and Spanish or Mandarin.

Essential Functions

• Assess and verify client needs, determining eligibility for a variety of financial and in-kind emergency assistance services.
• Refer clients to appropriate public and nonprofit services.
• Maintain client files and submit monthly statistical reports on services provided.
• Determine client eligibility for specific public and nonprofit programs for which the agency has assumed the role of qualifying agent.
• As applicable, provide translation assistance for clients and designated outside organizations.
• Conduct different assessment tools including the Homelessness Prevention Assesement Tool for families in need of financial assistance.
• Maintain accurate data in Clarity and Salesforce databases.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to possession of a bachelor's degree. Emphasis in social work, psychology or related field desirable. Experience in social work, knowledge of local community resources.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• problems and needs of diverse, multi-cultural target populations, including economically disadvantaged, elderly, individuals with disabilities and ethic minorities;
• effective interpersonal skills; and
• local, state, federal statutes and regulations relative to client needs and eligibility.

Skill in:

• effectively communicating (written and verbal) in English and Spanish or Mandarin;
• relating to clients from diverse backgrounds effectively under stressful conditions;
• setting priorities for assignments and workload appropriately and responding to deadlines effectively; and
• basic computer word-processing.

Ability to:

• demonstrate flexibility of style relative to specific assignments, working environments, and staff and volunteer diversity;
• recognize needs and initiate actions in order to help clients and to help develop more efficient agency systems and procedures;
• perform computer applications given reasonable training; and
• ability to work in a variety of settings with culturally-diverse families and be culturally sensitive
• ability to lift 25 pounds

Physical Requirements:

With or without reasonable accommodation(s), the essential functions of this position require certain physical and mental abilities. These abilities include, but are not limited to: sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting (up to 25 lbs.), typing, writing (in English), reading (English), speaking (English), seeing, hearing, driving, basic mathematical calculations, problem solving, reasoning, composition, and decision-making.

Working Conditions:

The Caseworker will work a standard work week of 8:30am-5pm. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. The Caseworker will work in an office setting with moderate noise level and will be required to travel around the community.