SOCIAL WORK COORDINATOR I- GRADE 20

THE ASSIGNMENT IS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Master's degree in social work, psychology, or criminal justice; supplemented by three years of experience in counseling, social work, or related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Resumes are welcomed without personal and identifiable information.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position. Requires knowledge of the judicial process and court procedures. Requires knowledge of case management and crisis intervention practices, mental health treatments and medication, and social work theories and ethics. Requires skill in working with clients with addictions and mental health issues.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to provide client assessments, court advocacy, counseling and referrals, case management, and related social work coordination to support alternative sentencing and lessen recidivism for clients charged in Superior or Juvenile Court. Work involves interviewing and assessing the needs of clients, developing and recommending alternative sentencing/placement plans, counseling, coordinating referrals and resources, and developing community partnerships to support services to clients. Social Work Coordinator I is distinguished from the Social Work Coordinator II in that the latter serves as a program coordinator and lead worker.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Interviews, assesses, and evaluates the needs of clients: assesses the psychological, social, psychosocial, and physical needs of clients; conducts home visits; evaluates housing and stability of clients; obtains release authorizations for and collects demographic, medical, criminal, mental health, substance abuse, abuse and neglect,military, employment, education and financial information, records, and reports; and determines medication compliance.

Coordinates resources, referrals, and services to meet the needs of clients: determines appropriate resources, referrals, and placement options based on client needs; counsels clients; shares client information with courts, agencies and community provides as legal and appropriate; and coordinates client placements.

Advocates for client in court: presents treatment plans and mitigating information to courts; testifies regarding the client's competency, stability, and ability to be placed in treatment programs; and educates and advises court officials regarding mental health, substance abuse, indigency issues, placement options, and related concerns.

Reviews client's progress and compliance with programs: monitors attendance; encourages participation and achievement of objectives; consults with jail staff, mental health professionals, courts, pharmacies, and others to ensure stability, safety, and compliance of clients; and performs related case management processes and functions.

Conducts outreach activities to develop community partnerships and social service resources: collaborates and networks within the social service community; and conducts phone interview and field visit of placement facilities.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including medical and mental health records, police/incident reports, forensic reports, school records, and treatment reports; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including placement forms, mitigation reports, home evaluations, transport or release orders, court reports, and client/case management records; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates and maintains a motor vehicle; operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Communicates with clients, families, attorneys, judges and court personnel, jail staff, mental health professionals, medical professionals, social service providers and agencies, and others in the community as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with others to coordinate the more complex programs and more complex problems associated with the responsibilities of the job. Often represents the department and/or organization when dealing with others.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.