Social Worker

Position Details

The Social Worker provides social work services to children, families, adults and the elderly. The social worker is expected to take on leadership responsibilities, to demonstrate advanced partnership based on collaborative practices with families and professionals and to demonstrate a positive commitment to agency practice.

Direct Service Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain caseload and provide ongoing case management including crisis management.
• Effectively interview and engage clients to assess and evaluate needs.
• Develop and complete assessments and documentation, including but not limited to, social histories, home assessments, and individual or family service plans to treat identified problems. Prepare intensive long or short-term treatment plans.
• Manage individual clients or families to explore, identify, resolve, prevent or control problems.
• Develop and implement safety plans for clients as needed.
• Prepare and maintain case records which meet federal, state and local guidelines.
• Provide required face to face contact with identified individuals within the required timeframes.
• Facilitate access to and refer clients to appropriate community services.
• Interprets policies and regulations to clients.
• Supervises foster home placements.
• Provides casework services for rehabilitation and care of children.

Administrative/Process Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains accurate client records on computer system, prepares reports, and submits to proper personnel and/or agencies.
• Collaborates and consults with multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams in order to achieve desirable outcomes for clients.
• Attends continuing education programs and participates in in-service training.
• Maintains knowledge of best practices in the profession.
• Works closely with law enforcement and county attorney staff in development and follow-up to court cases.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social work and the ability to apply them.
• Knowledge of social casework objectives, principles and methods.
• Knowledge of social welfare research methods.
• Knowledge of family systems and dynamics.
• Ability to effectively apply casework knowledge and skills.
• Ability to work constructively in the development and coordination of community resources to meet special needs.
• Ability and skill in utilization of computers and various software.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, sociology or closely related field.

Licenses/Certifications

Driver’s License.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Positions in this job typically require: sitting, standing, walking, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. There is exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force on occasion and the ability to lift, carry, push, pull and move objects.

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Most work is performed in an in-door environment. Travel to other locations is frequent. Exposure to angry persons, environmental and health issues may occur.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions

• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures
• Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
• Represent Fillmore County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.