POSITION SUMMARY
At Heart of West Michigan United Way, we unite community resources to invest in solutions that reduce poverty in West Michigan. Our staff, volunteers, donors, and agency partners are committed to creating lasting, sustainable changes that transform lives and build a thriving community for us all.
Michigan 2-1-1 is a free service that connects Michigan residents with help and answers from thousands of health and human services agencies and resources quickly, easily, and confidentially. The Community Resource Specialist performs referral assistance and resource information over the phone, text and email in United Way’s 2-1-1 referral program. They assess the needs of clients and assist them in finding the community resources that will address their needs. The Community Resource Specialist also contributes to assuring community resource information is current in the database. In the interest of community collaboration, this role may also be a member of external committees representing the interests of 2-1-1 and HWMUW.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POSITION
• Accurately assess client needs providing thorough, appropriate, and helpful referrals to address those needs.
• Uses direct intervention and advocacy when needed and agreed to by the client.
• Maintains current information on available community resources and ensures that other resources are aware of the function of United Way’s 2-1-1 in order to maximize the effectiveness of the program in meeting client needs.
• Demonstrates appropriate level of skill on HWMUW computer hardware and software.
• Completes special projects/duties as assigned.
• Serves on internal and community (cross-functional and ad hoc) committees as assigned.