Pay Schedule I, Grade 28. Regular Schedule 35 hours per week.

A vacancy exists in the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services, DSS Child Welfare. 

Definition of Responsibilities 
This position ensures the safety, well-being, and permanence of families in a hybrid environment to include community and office work. Position requires experience working with children, youth, and families; good communication skills; and the ability to engage families and children. Requires the ability to work independently and make clinical decisions regarding the care and safety of individuals/families.

Current and future vacancies occurring in this class may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly.
 
All interested candidates must apply at this time.
A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.
List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You must attach your transcript(s)/degree(s) and license(s)/certification(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and education must be submitted with each application.

Job Purpose 
Under the close supervision of a licensed certified social worker, provides clinical interventions to children, youth, and families.
Essential Job Duties

• Interviews and identifies, assesses, and evaluates strengths and needs, if circumstances are family functioning, as well as receptiveness to services.
• Composes and compiles treatment plans and evaluative reports; makes referrals and linkages as appropriate.
• Provides extensive counseling and crisis intervention services for individuals/families to assist the customer in achieving the goals as delineated in the service agreement.
• Completes assigned work as outlines in various manuals in a clear and consistent manner.
• Maintains case records, case plans, and other required documentation in accordance with program and local policy requirements and guidelines.
• Maintains contact with other health, education, and welfare agencies and professionals in order to assure that the needs of patients/clients are met.
• Contributes to program evaluation and research.

Emergency Operations: Participates as needed in agency’s mandated obligation to provide mass care and shelter under direction of County or State Emergency Operations Center.
Examples of Other Duties

• Provides customer service to both internal and external customers that meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department. 
• Clinically assesses safety factors and risk factors.
• Interprets and applies existing laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to social service programs.
• Prioritizes workload to meet timeliness standards.
• Performs other related duties as required.

NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.

Training and Experience
Possession of a master's degree in social work from a college or university approved by the Council of Social Work Education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with children, youth, and families.
• Good communication skills and the ability to engage family and children.
• Strong clinical and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with multiple data applications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and theories of social work and human behavior. 
• Knowledge of the diagnosis, treatment, and management of social, emotional, and mental dysfunctions.
• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems. 
• Knowledge of individual, family, and group therapy dynamics and techniques.
• Skill in applying social work theories and principles to a variety of case settings.
• Writing skills necessary to complete forms, case histories, and reports. 
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to gather and assess information for the purpose of evaluation or assessment.
• Ability to assess needs of patients and clients. 
• Ability to assist in developing effective treatment or service programs for individuals and to provide crisis intervention.
• Ability to lead goal-oriented individual, family, and group counseling or therapy sessions. 
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local guidelines, regulations, and procedures for practicing social work services. 
• Ability to prepare accurate and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with all contacts.

Licenses and Certificates
Possession of a valid license, issued by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) is required at the time of application.
Possession of a valid license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver's license may be required for some positions at the time of appointment.
Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education
Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and/or education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and/or Education will result in your application not being considered.
Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org)
Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Social Worker I- Merit
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204
You must attach your transcript(s)/degree(s) and license(s)/certification(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.
EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Employees hired after July 1, 2022 are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees’ Retirement System, with very limited exceptions. 

Employees must maintain licenses and certifications throughout the course of their employment.

Some positions in this classification may be required to respond to emergency situations and work overtime with little or no notice.

Some positions in this classification require completion of an approved training program, and must pass a competency test by the second training available after appointment to this classification.
Physical and Environmental Conditions
The work of this classification is essentially sedentary but may include occasional walking, standing, and/or other limited physical activities.

Some positions within this classification require traveling between work sites.
Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.