Human Services Worker jobs in Rochester, MN

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Under limited direction, this position provides social work services on cases involving complex social problems, develops treatment or service plans, performs responsible and difficult casework, directs service programs or provides work direction to paraprofessional/case aide staff, and performs related work as assigned.  This position could cover multiple areas within Social Services. This position is responsible for intake, assessment, service provision, and case management.  This position was previously classified as county agency social worker.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Interviews clients at intake

·         Carries a caseload where a need for continuing social casework predominates

·         Provides counseling to families and individuals

·         Conducts complex case evaluation for the purpose of assessing problems and determining appropriate types and methods of treatment

·         Prepares intensive long or short-term treatment or case plans, which require a fund of casework knowledge

·         Identifies client situations, which require intensified service and brings to the attention of supervisor for help or referral

• Provides adult and child protective services, including assessing referrals of neglect or abuse

·         Provides adult and children's mental health and chemical health services and services to persons with disabilities

·         Provides general child and adult welfare services

·         Licenses child care, foster care, or corporate homes

·         Provides or assists in providing services to other cases involving difficult or complex social and financial problems

·         Interprets programs to clients, refers clients to appropriate community services

·         Interprets social and emotional factors to others involved in treatment of clients

·         Prepares social histories with emphasis on psychosocial factors, adoption, or foster home placements

·         Supervises foster home placements

• Make home visits and conduct interviews to assess needs, challenges, and strengths within individuals and family systems

·         Provide supervised visitation or transportation as necessary

·         Interviews and screens prospective adoptive parents

·         Provides preventive services

·         Interprets policies and regulations to clients

·         Provides casework services for rehabilitation and care of children

·         Prepares and maintains case records which meet federal, state and local guidelines

·         Dictates findings and correspondence

·         Prepares regular and special reports

·         May provide work direction to social work para-professionals/case aides

·         Participates in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of social work processes and skill in application to individual cases

·         Attends court hearings, provides testimony, and prepares court reports

 GENERAL EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Abide by county policies; adhere to work rules

·         Attend staff meetings and approved trainings

·         Provide coverage for other agency staff/cases as assigned

·         Stay updated on policy/procedural changes; implement changes as directed in bulletins, memos, staff meetings, emails, etc.

·         Accurately complete computer and/or paper documentation forms in required timeframes

·         Contribute to cooperative, supportive, teamwork environment

·         Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to social work best practice guidelines

·         Establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients and stakeholders

·         Make thoughtful contributions to agency decision-making process

·         Participate in internal and external conflict resolution in a professional, respectful manner

·         Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

·         A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in social work, psychology, sociology or closely related field.

    or

·         A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in any field and one year of experience as a social worker in a public or private social services agency.

 ·         Requires a valid driver’s license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Essential knowledge and specialized subject knowledge required to perform the essential functions of the job:

·         Knowledge of all principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social work and the ability to apply them

·         Knowledge of individual and group behavior

·         Knowledge of social casework objectives, principles, and methods and the ability to apply them

·         Knowledge of social-economic factors, which promote stable family life and understanding of the elements which affect family security

·         Knowledge of physical and mental illness and their impact on personality

·         Knowledge of social welfare research methods

·         Knowledge of family systems and dynamics

·         Ability to work constructively with community agencies to help clients utilize appropriate resources and services

·         Ability to work constructively in the development and coordination of community resources to meet special needs

·         Ability to manage time productively

·         Ability to prioritize caseloads

·         Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

 Physical requirements associated with the position can be best summarized as follows:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including telephone, calculator, computer, printer, copy machine, fax, automobile, van, child car seats.  Must be able to lift approximately 50 pounds (normal office equipment, client belongings, small children.  The work is sedentary.  The employee may sit comfortably to do the work.  However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books, files.  This work may require on-site inspections, so the ability to drive an automobile is required.

Supervision of Others:

Provides no supervision.

Consequences of Errors:

Errors by this employee could potentially lead to monetary loss to the County, as well as resulting in potential embarrassment to the County, and inconvenience and potential harm to clients and their families.

Behavior Standard:

Maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner so that you get along with clients, co-workers, and management.