Social Work Specialist

Summary/Objective

Under close supervision of the Social Work Supervisor provides intensive case management, and counsel’s clients and families to stabilize vulnerable individuals in the community. Connects clients to preventative and rehabilitative services, conducts varied types of social investigations involving the collection, analysis, and recording of significant social facts, and provides technical social work information; performs other related duties as required. In addition, the definition of this Title, and the related duties and responsibilities in the State of New Jersey Civil Service Job Specification for Social Work Specialist are incorporated as if fully set forth herein.

Examples of the work and essential functions for this position are illustrative only. Social Work Specialists typically spend a substantial amount of time in the field. The Social Work Specialist may not perform all the job duties listed in the State Job Specification, however, key duties and competencies of the Social Work Specialist position in the Adult Protective Services Unit (APS) are specifically identified below.

Essential Functions

Under close supervision of the Administrative Supervisor of Social Work, the Social Work Specialist is responsible for the following functions:

Adult Protective Services Unit

1. Assess needs and resources of clients who have multiplicity of complex social problems, emotional and/or physical problems in order to determine underlying causes of instability of their situation. Ability to identify crisis situations including those that need immediate legal attention. A majority of the case work is performed in the community. Must be able to transport clients.

2. Provide professional social services to identified client systems with a goal of alleviating the instability by:

a. Identifying short and long term goals, which identify client tasks, tasks to be performed by the social work specialist, and establishing specified time frame.

b. Providing follow-up contact until desired goals are achieved.

c. Developing and identifying resources and providing linkages to other agencies in the community providing these resources.

d. Communicating with staff of other agencies about client’s ability to access their services.

e. Maintaining liaison with community councils, County and State Coalitions, religious, social and civil organizations who are involved in providing services to Protective Service clients.

f. Actively participating in State and local organizations, planning for the needs of the Protective Service clients.

g. Coordinating case conferences of Protective Service clients with other service providers.

h. Reviewing case for appropriateness of transfer to other units in the agency once stability is achieved.

i. Completing all State and agency forms, including State registry of Protective Service client, written documentation for all client and collateral contact.

j. Managing caseload with the understanding that clients will predominately be seen in the community

k. Meeting all requirements for client contact and documentation as required by APS law.

3. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

1. Maintain acceptable levels of accuracy and completeness of assignments;

2. Timely completion of work;

3. Regular attendance;

4. Ethical Conduct.

5. Personal Effectiveness/Credibility.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/Location

Full-time/Monday – Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm/Somerville office

*hours and location subject to change based on agency needs

Travel

Travel is required.

Required Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Social Work.

Requirements, Knowledge and Abilities

• Possession of a valid New Jersey driver’s, in addition to employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Knowledge of social work theory, practices, procedures, and of methods and principles of social work administration.
• Knowledge of problems likely to be encountered in doing social work with vulnerable adults, i.e., individuals 18 years or older who reside in a community setting and who, because of a physical or mental illness, disability or deficiency, lack sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate or carry out decisions concerning their well-being and who are the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
• Knowledge of community, family, social, economic, health and other problems and forces influencing clients.
• Knowledge of social needs and resources of the local community and of the State.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations affecting the administration of public assistance programs after a period of training.
• Ability to collect, tabulate and analyze basic social data and to devise social and other plans for vulnerable adults under the agency’s aegis.
• Ability to determine the need for and to provide consultation services in the broad field of social work.

9. Ability to comprehend the economic, social and emotional problems of persons who are physically and/or emotionally maladjusted or dependent, or who are confined in an institution.

10. Ability to work effectively with associates, superior officers, professional and clerical employees, and representatives of civic, health, welfare and other organizations interested in or concerned with the broad field of social welfare or in the several specialized fields of same.

11. Ability to establish and maintain essential records and files.

12. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used the agency, office or related units or able to learn to do so.

13. Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

AAP/EEO Statement

Somerset County Board of Social Services provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Further, the Somerset County Board of Social Services takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and employees are treated during employment without regard to any of these characteristics. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

Other Duties

Please take note that 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.

Effective September 1, 2011, all employees of State and local government must reside in the State of New Jersey, unless exempted under the law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $61,801.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $61,801