Primary purpose:
This position is responsible for providing short-term case management services related to housing, financial assistance, public benefits, etc. to unserved or underserved Newton residents in the community to improve their quality of life. The Resource Navigator assesses the needs of residents, facilitates connections to social services and support systems and provides information, referrals, non-clinical consultation and/or case management as assigned by Supervisor. All other work as directed, required or the situation dictates.
Supervision:
Scope and Judgment: This position requires a social services background, and the ability to work on a wide range of social service issues. The position must be able to take fast, decisive action when matters are time sensitive, while recognizing the municipal setting and limits to resources. The position must be able to learn new social service areas quickly and frequently to respond to the wide range and ever-changing needs of the Newton community.
Supervision Received: Position reports to the Deputy Director and/or their designee and operates in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, requiring the ability to plan and perform operations to independently complete assigned tasks according to a prescribed time schedule. Independently establishes own daily work plan based on regular routine and special assignments.
Supervision Given: May supervise students or interns.
Essential Functions:
(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)
The Resource Navigator is responsible for conducting comprehensive client intakes to assess individual needs, facilitating connections to appropriate resources and referrals, supporting clients in their transition to long-term services, and conducting follow-up evaluations to ensure the effectiveness of support interventions. The incumbent develops and maintains accurate, confidential client records, including intake documentation, release of information forms, and statistical data on client contacts, referrals, resolutions, and other required reports in accordance with organizational standards.
This role involves performing on-site, in-home, or community-based visits with residents, their families, or guardians to assess needs and facilitate access to necessary services. The Resource Navigator ensures that all requests for assistance are followed up in a timely manner to confirm that clients receive the needed services or are connected to alternative resources as appropriate. Additionally, the position supports residents in problem-solving and self-advocacy, empowering them to navigate complex social service systems effectively.
The Resource Navigator engages in community outreach by participating in in-person networking, developing and distributing promotional and educational materials, and staffing community-based sites to inform and engage residents about available services. The individual assists in the promotion and utilization of program resources within the broader community and is responsible for developing and leading community-based workshops or groups on a variety of social service topics relevant to older adults and their families.
Participation in interdisciplinary service planning and case conferencing is required, collaborating with partners such as mental health professionals, school social workers, healthcare providers, and other municipal departments to ensure comprehensive care coordination. The Resource Navigator also builds and maintains collaborative relationships with community-based service agencies, city and school personnel, and other organizations supporting Newton residents.
The incumbent serves committees and task forces as assigned by the supervisor and maintains up-to-date knowledge of trends and developments in the social services field, including federal, state, and local benefits and resources. Regular participation in staff meetings, training programs, and supervisory sessions is expected, with a commitment to fostering a positive team environment and engaging in ongoing professional development. The Resource Navigator meets regularly with the supervisor to review case materials and assess community needs.
As a mandated reporter, the Resource Navigator fulfills all legal and ethical responsibilities in situations involving older adult protective services.
The position requires strict adherence to all City of Newton, departmental, and governmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
The Resource Navigator also participates in emergency responses to crisis situations and performs additional duties as assigned, directed or as the situation dictates.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
Education, Training, and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in related field and one to three years related experience in a social services setting required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience serving the older adult population and caregivers strongly preferred.
A strong commitment to public service required.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge. Position requires knowledge of social service trends and best practices, appropriate responses in a wide range of situations, and appropriate documentation and confidentiality protection approaches.
Skills. Expertise and skill in using personal computers and common computer programs (Outlook, Word, Powerpoint, Excel) and database and spreadsheet applications. Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Excellent writing skills including memos, reports, proposals, analyses and professional communications.
Abilities. Position requires the ability to comprehend the scope of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to specialty area. Ability to organize time, work independently and accomplish tasks despite frequent interruptions. Ability to maintain detailed records and database. Ability to operate various types of office equipment. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information. Ability to organize clerical and statistical records. Ability to maintain detailed and extensive records and to prepare reports from same. Ability to work effectively under time constraints to meet deadlines. Ability to deal tactfully and appropriately with the general public and City departments in an effective manner. Ability to interpret and follow departmental procedures and guidelines. Ability to be a strong team player. Ability to absorb and learn quickly and maintain a departmental sense of urgency. Ability to use judgement in the analysis of facts and circumstances to solve practical problems and deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to perform public presentations to educate and support residents and/or colleagues. Ability to develop educational and promotional materials.
Job Environment:
The duties of this position are carried out in a variety of settings, including a standard office environment, client homes, community-based locations, and during emergency response situations. The Resource Navigator interacts frequently with members of the public, municipal departments and officials, external agencies, businesses, vendors, other governmental organizations, and legal representatives.
Communication occurs through multiple channels such as in-person meetings, telephone calls, online meeting platforms, personal discussions, and written correspondence, often involving both routine and confidential matters that require patience, professionalism, and sound judgment.
The nature of the work is dynamic and can be unpredictable, with the expectation of handling sudden requests for assistance, accommodating walk-in clients, and responding to off-site locations to support the needs of colleagues or residents as situations arise.
The position requires handling confidential and sensitive information, and errors in judgment may result in significant delays or loss of services, potential legal consequences, negative public relations, or financial loss for the organization.
Physical requirements
(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
The role regularly requires the use of hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, equipment, and controls, as well as to reach with hands and arms for tasks such as picking up or accessing paper, files, and other common office items, as well as equipment and supplies related to the Department of Older Adults. Employees must be able to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds as needed. The position involves the manual operation of standard office equipment and other necessary devices and requires the ability to use a computer keyboard efficiently to complete essential job tasks.
Performance Standard
Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.
(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change, subject to collective bargaining obligations, where applicable.)
Please note that the posted salary range is not necessarily the hiring range. The starting salary typically falls within the first few steps of the posted salary range. The starting salary is influenced by relevant qualifications, and where applicable, by collective bargaining agreement.
THE CITY:
The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.
OUR GOVERNMENT:
Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.
AS AN EMPLOYER:
The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.
Human Resources Diversity Statement
We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:
The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newton reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.
| Location | Newton, MA |
| Salary | $62,791–$84,382 Per Year |