State of Maryland

A Human Service Associate III performs the lead worker level of duties in the in‑home aide service unit.  Employees in this classification assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Human Service Associates.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a program professional.  Employees in this class may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, or work hours which may vary from the normal work week.  Work is performed in the office or in the client's home and community.  Employees may work in teams.  Work may require lifting and moving clients because these employees may be called to substitute for all other levels of aides and associates.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Human Service Associate III is differentiated from the Human Service Associate II in that the Human Service Associate III assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Human Service Associates working at an in‑home aide service unit while the Human Service Associate II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision using therapeutic skills to teach clients to change their behavior in order to care for themselves and prevent abuse or neglect of a child or adult dependent.

Schedules case assignments based on a knowledge of each aide's or associate's strengths and the needs of the client;

Provides on‑the‑job training and monitors the work of new Human Service Associates;

Monitors and evaluates the work of aides and Human Service Associates through on‑site visits;

Assesses training needs of aides and Human Service Associates and works with the unit supervisor to plan training for the staff;

Alerts unit supervisor to problems with administrative procedures, client services and office operations and makes recommendations for improvements;

Coordinates aide services by planning conferences with case managers, vendor agencies, and individual providers;

Substitutes for all levels of aides and Human Service Associates, as required;

May prepare reports for supervisor and case manager concerning the client's behavior, physical condition, social and physical environment, and services provided in order to assist the treatment team in developing, monitoring, and modifying the client's treatment plan;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of business English;

Knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division;

Knowledge of home management and personal care procedures;

Knowledge of social, physical, and psychological needs of infants, children, adolescents, and dependent adults;

Knowledge of vital signs and symptoms which indicate the need for medical attention;

Knowledge of child care and disciplinary techniques;

Knowledge of causes and treatment of child and adult abuse or neglect;

Ability to schedule case assignments of a unit;

Ability to work as a member of a treatment team;

Ability to observe clients and document those observations;

Ability to communicate effectively with Social Workers, Nurses, and other treatment team members;

Ability to teach problem solving skills;

Ability to teach home management and caregiving skills;

Ability to lift and move clients;

Ability to develop and maintain emotionally supportive relationships with adults and children who have physical, social, emotional, or interpersonal problems;

Ability to participate in the rehabilitation of clients which may include reinforcing various therapies such as behavioral, physical, occupational, and recreational;

Ability to deal with stressful situations;

Ability to understand and follow complex laws, regulations, instructions, and guidelines regarding abuse and neglect;

Ability to do routine and other housekeeping work;

Ability to plan and organize the work of others.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

                                                               AND

Completion of six credit hours at an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, sociology, nursing, health, gerontology, home economics, human growth and   development or a related field.

Experience: Four years of experience providing care to children or adult dependents in the home or teaching practical living and caregiving skills to clients.  Two years of the experience must have included using therapeutic skills to teach clients to change their behavior in order to care for themselves and to prevent abuse or neglect of a child or adult dependent.

Notes:

1. Applicants must attach a transcript showing satisfactory completion of the required course work to the application form.

2. These requirements are established by the Social Services Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article, Title 4 Social Services, Subtitle 3 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.  The Department of Budget and Management does not have authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

1. Employees in this classification must be able to lift clients, wheelchairs, or other weight.  Candidates will be given a medical examination and may be required to demonstrate their ability to perform the manual work required of the position prior to appointment.

2. Employees in this classification may be required to have access to and use of an automobile in order to transport clients. Standard mileage allowance will be paid for use of a privately owned vehicle.  

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit D, Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.