Social Services Assistant - Non-Merit

This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice.  Applicants are advised to apply promptly.

Regular Schedule:  34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in Family Services, Department of Health and Human Services.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

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

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

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 can attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.The role of Interagency Family Preservation (IFP) Family Support Worker is to support and assist the IFP Social Worker in the delivery of short-term, intensive, clinical and concrete services to families referred to the Program.  

Job Function and Other Assigned Duties

• The IFP Social Services Assistant, in conjunction with the IFP Social Worker, works as a team to provide intensive in-home intervention services to a varied caseload of families in which children are at immediate rick of out-of-home placement.
• Assists in family interviews and gathering of pertinent background information, family history, assessing the strengths and risks of the family for completion of the MFRA.
• Identifies all family members and community resources (name, address, and phone numbers) and record in contact notes.
• Assists the family in identifying and linking to community resources and other activities needed to carry out the service plan as well as to advocate
• Meets regularly with the IFP Social Worker and other treatment team members to share important information regarding the service plan. The service plan includes strategies for achieving short- and long-term goals and taking the necessary steps to reduce the risk.
• Responds in a timely way to any emergencies or crisis situation, especially when there is a safety concern.
• Provides intensive in-home services to families and children at risk. Work with family on short- and long-term goals identified in the service plan to ensure the safety and well-being of the children and to improve family functioning.
• Serves as a liaison in connection families to community services such as mental health providers, behavioral aides, financial assistance, hospitals, and public utilities to assure families are receiving the maximum benefits from all services. Provide information to families and encourage them to use community and emergency services.
• Serves as a role model by advocating, teaching, coaching, and modeling life skills; such as parenting, budgeting, household management, childhood development, anger management, etc.)
• Provides transportation as needed.
• Assesses the need for and arranges for emergencies such as CAN, food banks, shelters, and mental health providers
• Attends and testifies in court, as needed.
• Attends all relevant meetings.  Prepares, participates, and assists in the presentations of case staffing, case studies during peer supervision meetings, case consultations, transfer meetings, FTDM, multidisciplinary meetings, school meetings, and supervision.
• Completes all required paperwork for each family, including but not limited to:   flex funds, faxes, T-2 forms, safety plans, service plans, correspondence release of information.   Documents contact notes with family and professionals.
• Maintains the order and confidentiality of all client records.
• Attends all relevant trainings.
• Reports all suspected incidents of child abuse, neglect, or sex abuse to the IFP supervisor immediately upon learning of them, as well as document in the contact notes
• Responds to requests for information from administration.
• Follows directions and assignments identified by supervisor.
• Maintains regularly scheduled contact with the IFP Social Worker to share information, coordinate services, and determine case direction.
• Contacts IFP Supervisor regularly to share information and recommendations regarding case direction.
• Contacts other community providers and FIP to gather information and consult on case to assess family.
• Contacts other community agencies in order to coordinate accessible services.
• Along with the IFP Social Worker, makes referrals to other community providers and resources.
• Determines whether concrete services should be provided in accordance with service plan in order to reduce risk to children (flex funds, bus tokes, medications, etc.)Along with the IFP Social Worker, creates initial and updates service plans with families.
• Along with the IFP Social Worker and supervisor, asses the need for out-of-home placement of children.

Performance Standards

• Assesses risk and safety of children and informs IFP Social Worker and/or supervisor immediately of any situation that requires action to reduce risk.
• Demonstrates the skill in therapeutic relationship building with children and families.
• Demonstrates the skill in teaching, coaching and modeling parenting, home management, and budgeting skills when working with children and families.
• Demonstrates the ability to assist families in accessing community services that is available to them.
• Utilizes therapeutic recreational activities with children and families to achieve the goals outlined on the service plan.
• Meets and has regular phone contact with the IFP Social Worker and supervisor to share and coordinate services.
• Attends and participates in regular supervision, unit meetings, team meetings, and other necessary and mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Completes accurately and on time the necessary paperwork such as contact notes, timesheets, monthly statistics, and other reports as needed.
• Plans leave appropriately and sets workload priorities in order to make efficient use of time.

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.
 High School Diploma and experience working in the field of human services.

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. Working Conditions

• Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings
  1. Must visit families in their home, which can occasionally be infested with insects or vermin, may have unpleasant/foul odors, may have animals, may be overcrowded, and may be dirty
  2. Work requires use of protective equipment such as gloves, mask, etc. when working in deplorable and/or unsanitary home conditions.
• Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions, which may result in injury.
  1. Involves using one’s own personal vehicle to drive to and from home visits, to other community-based destinations, and occasionally to transport clients.
  2. Requires driving into areas in the County, which may be unfamiliar with community or streets
  3. Involves occasionally driving in high crime areas in the County
  4. Clients may possess weapons, participate in drug or human trafficking, or suffer from very contagious illnesses such as Hep C, HIV , etc.

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.

Salary : $19 - $28