Aspen Community Connections Adult Resource Navigator

Aspen Community Connections Adult Resource Navigator

The Aspen School District is seeking a full-time Aspen Community Connections Adult Resource Navigator. This position is part of the Aspen Community Connections program, under the Aspen Family Connections coalition. It reports to the Aspen Family Connections Director and is classified as a classified, full-time, exempt position with a contract period of 233 days yearly. The compensation is $75,000.00 yearly. The district offers employee and dependent health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance, along with other benefits such as paid leave, CO PERA enrollment, TSA options, free transportation or a commuter stipend, employee assistance program, wellness program, and supplemental insurance.

The purpose of Aspen Community Connections is to offer adults in the community a voluntary process of collaborative problem-solving, resource navigation, and prioritization of efforts for individuals managing a wide range of challenges and circumstances. The approach is strength-based, preventive, confidential, and judgment-free—values and practices consistent with its parent organization, Aspen Family Connections.

The Aspen Community Connections Adult Resource Navigator will work with adults in Pitkin County to provide navigation, resources, and community connections in order to support individual well-being. This position will work as part of the larger Aspen Family Connections team, supported by a collaborative group of adult-serving entities and specialist teams within the County. While the Navigator serves as the main link for community resource navigation, partner entities support the broader coordinated resource navigation network.

The Adult Resource Navigator is responsible for conducting outreach and responding to adults in the community, providing quick, streamlined assessments to connect individuals to mental health and other necessary resources. The role focuses on short to medium-term support; if an adult's needs are better met by another resource or case manager within the system, a warm handoff is executed. Key responsibilities include establishing, communicating, and maintaining clear boundaries regarding the scope of support provided (relatively short-term and goal-focused).

The position is not intended to provide long-term intervention for higher-acuity individuals, who are better supported by specialized community entities.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify and establish opportunities to inform and engage adults (both individually and in groups) in a range of community settings about the role and services provided by Aspen Community Connections, building awareness of the program and relationships of trust
• Work with the AFC Director to develop a referral process, collateral materials for the community and an outreach strategy
• Participate in the collaborative process of identifying resources and in problem-solving during the course of meetings with adults
• Be immersed and well-versed in service providers and opportunities and maintain relationships with partners to provide up-to-date and accurate information to adults by convening/participating in a collaborative group of adult-serving entities
• Create meaningful plans of action on behalf of clients, identifying their goals, and indicating timelines and allocation of responsibility for ongoing action, as appropriate
• Provide engaged, compassionate first-line contact to adults seeking support for mental health challenges or other needs
• Follow up with clients in a planned way to ensure that resources have been appropriately accessed and planned outcomes initiated and delivered.
• Collect data that supports evidence-based care and can improve navigation support
• Support AFC case managers who have adult family member clients who would benefit from extra support
• Observe the highest standards of confidentiality at all times and in all dealings

Expectations include:

• Work with partners to develop opportunities for engagement in the community
• Work towards the development of a peer to peer program to build a natural support system for adults in different settings to mentor and support each other
• Work closely with the AFC Director and collaborative partners
• Convene an oversight group to meet periodically, of specialists and service providers, including: AFC, Pitkin County Department of Public Health (including Behavioral Health Facilitator), Pitkin County Department of Human Services (including Adult Caseworker), Response, PACT, Recovery Resources, Housing Navigator, Recovery Resources etc)
• Maintain records and documentation
• Maintain a warm, engaged and personable approach and help adults seeking support to feel supported
• Be punctual and provide timely follow-up
• Capable of handling a busy and often-changing day-to-day schedule
• Maintain a self-starter attitude and be a problem solver and team collaborator

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree or a demonstrable combination of education, training, work history and…