Social Worker

DEFINITION

Under direction, performs a wide range of social casework and related services, including assessment, development and implementation of plans to meet client needs, education, referral and crisis intervention services; advocates for and provides intervention design to promote health and overall well-being, prevention and access to healthcare and social services; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from assigned management and supervisory personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This classification performs case management work, involving tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to provide case management services to a diverse population. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines and methods to complete assignments. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Identifies and analyzes client needs for service, sets priorities, explores alternatives and works with interdisciplinary teams, clients and their families to develop individualized treatment and service plans.
• Participates in case conferences to plan or coordinate treatment and the delivery of supportive services.
• Counsels clients in individual and group settings to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness and/or adjust to life, and short-term situations.
• Provides case management services, including referrals to community resources that will assist clients in addressing physical, mental health and other needs including financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement and/or education and training; helps remove barriers to the utilization of health care services.
• Advocates for clients and provides crisis intervention and short-term treatment and supportive services; monitors, evaluates, and records client progress according to treatment and service plan goals.
• Assists clients in adhering to treatment plans by setting up appointments, arranging transportation or providing support.
• Conducts ongoing assessments and reassessments to identify changes in client status and ensure they adhere to the treatment and service plan.
• Conducts home visits for safety and health evaluations.
• Provides educational sessions to clients and/or community members about mental, social, health, abuse and/or available community resources.
• Documents assessments, treatment and service plans, progress notes and other case information as required by Medicare, Medi-Cal and other mandated regulations according to established procedures.
• Prepares correspondence involving social evaluation of client, client follow-up and related matters.
• Keeps required statistics.
• Participates in program and community outreach activities.
• Participates in the recruitment and retention of clients through outreach interventions.
• Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of social casework including assessment, case management, counseling methods, and trends and issues in the field.
• Principles of human behavior, gerontology, and the aging process.
• Public healthcare and social service programs and resources available to low income, elderly, and disabled individuals.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of interviewing for the purpose of acquiring information to make assessments, identify needs and record patient information.
• Social and cultural factors within populations served.
• Safety policies and safe practices applicable to the work.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to social service best practices.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
  
  

Ability To

• Appropriately identify and assess client needs and develop plans for care and supportive services utilizing departmental and community resources.
• Conduct in-home visits to check on the well-being of frail and elderly clients, and to follow up on care plan goals.
• Interview effectively for the purposes of acquiring client information and developing treatment and service plans.
• Perform crises counseling and follow up care and services.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
  

Education And Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work or a related field.

Experience

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible social services program support experience serving the needs of a diverse population.

Licenses And Certifications

NonePHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with clients with behavioral disorders/erratic and assaultive behavior, including those which require emergency crisis intervention. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

E-Verify: The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees in the United States.