What are the responsibilities and job description for the SOCIAL WORKER position at NYC Department of Social Services?
APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE SOCIAL WORKER, BE PERMANENT IN A COMPARABLE TITLE ELIGIBLE FOR 6.1.9 TITLE CHANGE OR BE IMMEDIATELY REACHABLE ON EXAM NO. 4091.
The Office of the Ombudsman provides independent and impartial assistance to DHS shelter clients and provides them with a wide array of information and services on shelters and various DHS/HRA programs.
Under the general supervision of the Ombudsman Deputy Director, with some latitude for independent judgment and decision making, the Social Worker is charged with meeting with clients in person and accessing clients that may exhibit mental challenges/illness.
The Office of the Ombudsman handles around 2,400 walk-in clients a year, many of whom have a history of mental illness. The social worker will utilize his/her clinical advanced knowledge through alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation between the clients, Shelter management and OHS program administrators to help resolve clients concerns and crises and provide effective conflict resolution; educate clients on community-based services and resources; and maintain a comprehensive data tracking and reporting system. The Social Worker will actively engage clients in a meaningful manner and empower them to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
The Social Worker works in partnership with DHS's 'Adults and Family Services Divisions by assessing the client's needs, determining service eligibility, or providing additional services.
The DHS Ombudsman Unit is requesting to recruit one (1) Social Worker who will:
Minimum Qualifications
Qualification Requirements
A Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
License Requirements
You will be required to have a valid Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the New York State Department of Education within one year of the date of appointment. This license must be presented to the appointing officer at the time of appointment or, if it is obtained after appointment, at the time it is received. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
If you fail to obtain your LMSW or LCSW license within one year of the date of appointment, your probationary period will be automatically extended for six months. If you fail to obtain the required license by the end of 18 months of service, you will be terminated.
Special Note
Section 424-a of the New York Social service Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report. The agency has the discretion to assign a candidate who has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report to a position with no child-care responsibilities.
55a Program
This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
The Office of the Ombudsman provides independent and impartial assistance to DHS shelter clients and provides them with a wide array of information and services on shelters and various DHS/HRA programs.
Under the general supervision of the Ombudsman Deputy Director, with some latitude for independent judgment and decision making, the Social Worker is charged with meeting with clients in person and accessing clients that may exhibit mental challenges/illness.
The Office of the Ombudsman handles around 2,400 walk-in clients a year, many of whom have a history of mental illness. The social worker will utilize his/her clinical advanced knowledge through alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation between the clients, Shelter management and OHS program administrators to help resolve clients concerns and crises and provide effective conflict resolution; educate clients on community-based services and resources; and maintain a comprehensive data tracking and reporting system. The Social Worker will actively engage clients in a meaningful manner and empower them to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
The Social Worker works in partnership with DHS's 'Adults and Family Services Divisions by assessing the client's needs, determining service eligibility, or providing additional services.
The DHS Ombudsman Unit is requesting to recruit one (1) Social Worker who will:
- Maintain records, detailing and tracking ongoing and completed cases and activities in the IQ system. Generate reports detailing and/or aggregating activities on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
- Develop and maintain various resources that support the needs of clients such as a list of none for profit organizations and advocacy groups that can help the clients with various concerns or issues.
- Work with the shelter and various internal DHS/HRA departments to plan for client transition to permanent housing, making the transition to permanent housing within the community.
- Handle all channels of constituent service within the Office of the Ombudsman: calls (office, mobile, hotline) IQ correspondence-tracking system workflows, walk-ins,
- Research cases as comprehensively as needed, in order to thoroughly understand the concern(s) raised.
- Liaise with appropriate internal and external partners, in order to achieve a successful resolution.
- Participate in or lead constituent meetings and conferences, both internal and external; lead field visits, as required, to support the needs of constituents and inform and further the goals of the Ombudsman office and DSS/HRA/DHS.
- Update supervisor while in the field in a timely fashion and as frequently as needed.
- Provide a supportive client experience through effective and compassionate listening and timely client-focused case management; direct counseling and/or outreach services; refer to other public agencies or community resources as needed.
- Supervise volunteers/other auxiliary personnel in their work assignments by distributing/scheduling work, providing training/instruction/guidance and reviewing work/monitoring performance.
- Maintain records, detailing and tracking ongoing and completed cases and activities in the IQ system.
- Generate reports detailing and/or aggregating activities on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis: frequently enter data into relevant databases when they are developed.
- Provide initial assessment within 72 hours of acquiring a case. Communicate informationthat is relevant, accurate, clear, and thorough to all relevant parties.
- Review responses received from shelters, program administrators, and the Analyst to determine comprehensiveness and appropriateness of the response as well as to follow up with the constituent to discuss the resolution and close the case.
- Target closing cases within 7 days of sending email notification to shelter director or Program Administrator; develop an action plan to resolve and close cases approaching 15 days old, which will be flagged for review with the supervisor; address all cases in IQ within 30 days.
- Case data is accurately entered/updated in IQ within prescribed timeframes; flagged for supervisor review as needed and within prescribed timeframes; closed in IQ within prescribed timeframes; reports are generated/submitted within prescribed deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications
Qualification Requirements
A Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
License Requirements
You will be required to have a valid Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the New York State Department of Education within one year of the date of appointment. This license must be presented to the appointing officer at the time of appointment or, if it is obtained after appointment, at the time it is received. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
If you fail to obtain your LMSW or LCSW license within one year of the date of appointment, your probationary period will be automatically extended for six months. If you fail to obtain the required license by the end of 18 months of service, you will be terminated.
Special Note
Section 424-a of the New York Social service Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report. The agency has the discretion to assign a candidate who has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report to a position with no child-care responsibilities.
55a Program
This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
