Community Resource Specialist

Community Resource Specialist

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Connect Mat-Su Director

About Connect Mat-Su

Connect Mat-Su was created in 2018 to serve as a comprehensive and innovative health and social services information and referral resource center. It is a network with both a physical and virtual resource center linking residents with immediate access to the information, referrals, and direct assistance needed to thrive physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Connect Mat-Su is wholly owned and operated by the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF). Connect Mat-Su employees are employees of the MSHF.

About the Foundation

Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. Grounded in organizational values of prevention, access, wellness, fairness, equity, and collaboration, the MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. Through grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change, the foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services.

Position Summary:

The Connect Mat-Su Community Resource Specialist is part of a dynamic team providing information and referral services to the Mat-Su community. This position works closely with the Director and team members to develop and maintain a database of health and social services resources within Mat-Su and will engage in outreach to develop and strengthen relationships with social service organizations, providers, and programs. The Community resource Specialist is responsible for serving as the first point of contact for Connect Mat-Su consumers, assuring a quality end-to-end customer service experience for all consumers.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leadership
  • Foster relationships with community partners and providers.
  • Work closely with local resource providers to keep current with services available to clients.
  • Collaborate with MSHF program officers sharing information on program success, challenges, and community needs.

• Program and Administration
  • Serve as first line of contact for Connect Mat-Su clients, ensuring a quality end-to-end client experience.
  • Coordinate resource referral for clients presenting with complex needs, utilizing internal processes and industry standards to ensure timely follow-up.
  • Ensure the overall success of Connect Mat-Su through assistance with development of workflows for Connect Mat-Su programs.
  • Ensure the Connect Mat-Su front desk and lobby area are organized, and outreach materials are available.
  • Interact with and provide general information to MSHF building users.
  • Contribute to overall program success through annual database record verification, regular maintenance and management of Connect Mat-Su’s resource database, and events calendar updates.
• External relationships
  • Identify, build relationships with, and maintain community partners to expand Connect Mat-Su network and address community needs.
  • Identify potential new partnership ideas and present to Connect Mat-Su Director.
  • Represent Connect Mat-Su and its mission and by extension the MSHF at external meetings and events.
  • Identify and participate in community outreach opportunities as directed.
• Health Equity
  • Provide an equitable client experience to all Connect Mat-Su users by providing referrals per industry standards and utilizing a trauma-informed approach.
  • Ensure equity and inclusion in all interactions with providers and/or advocate for client’s needs when necessary.
  • Empower clients by providing them with options for referrals to meet their resource needs.
  • Utilize various service delivery methods to achieve accessibility of services. throughout the entire Mat-Su Borough, including remote and online strategies
  • Identify and track system barriers and gaps in community services.
  • Communicate and advocate to community partners about the system barriers faced by marginalized populations, and problem solve around mitigating these inequities.

Competencies:

• Ability to provide quality customer service and interact with a broad range of clients through a variety of methods.
• Ability to learn quickly, stay flexible and highly organized in a fast-paced environment with competing demands while maintaining integrity of work with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytic skills with the ability to identify and respond to a wide variety of client needs.
• Highly organized self-starter with an aptitude for solving complex problems.
• Ability to build trust through authentic interaction with clients and community partners.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of CRM/Software integration and its function in cataloging and presenting resource information.
• Extensive knowledge of the local community, available resources, and issues facing community members while producing innovative and operational solutions.
• Motivated and committed to the foundation’s mission possessing a strong desire to promote health equity and improve the health outcomes of the Mat-Su residents.

Education & Experience:

• Associates degree and 3 years of information and referral experience preferred or 5 years’ experience delivering information and referral or a combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated customer service experience
• Knowledge of the Alliance for Information and Referral Services (AIRS) preferred
• Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and other related software.

Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Location: Wasilla, Alaska

Work environment: Employee will be working in a typical office environment with offices with frequent interruptions, moderate temperature, and equipment noise.

Physical demands: Employee will be spending considerable time at a desk using a computer terminal.

EEO statement: Mat-Su Health Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer.