FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER I

This Statewide recruitment is reopened to allow additional candidates to apply and establish a list of eligible candidates to be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Department of Social Services throughout the State.   

ASTD 8

STATEWIDE: Applicants should indicate on their applications all counties where they are willing to accept employment for this classification.

A Family Support Worker I is the intermediate level of work providing in-home support services that enable individuals to maintain their independence and well-being, assist in preserving the family structure, promote a functional home environment and teach clients to make use of available community resources. Employees in this classification function as members of treatment or service teams and visit clients homes to identify needs and provide in-home assistance in activities associated with daily living, personal care, caregiving or parenting.

Provides in-home support services that enable individuals to maintain their independence and well being, assist in preserving the family structure, promote a functional home environment and teach clients to make use of available community resources; Visits clients homes to identify needs and provide in-home assistance for clients through teaching and demonstrating practical living skills including, but not limited to, meal planning, household maintenance, laundry, shopping, positive parenting and caring for dependents, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationship skills, job readiness, locating and securing housing, and household budgeting; Assesses clients personal and living conditions in conjunction with the treatment or service plan goals to determine the need for specific behavioral changes; Develops positive relationships with clients in order to gain their acceptance of the In-Home Care Plan and contributes to the clients physical and emotional health; Encourages clients to participate in and make use of community resources and services such as child and adult support groups, food pantries, neighborhood services centers and child or adult day care; Observes behavior of children and adults, records pertinent observations, maintains records of their behaviors and makes recommendations to the services team for possible plan modifications; Prepares reports for the health care professional, case manager or supervisor on the clients physical condition, social and physical environment and services provided in order to assist the in-home care team in developing, monitoring and modifying the clients In-Home Care Plan; Participates in team meetings with the case manager, health care professionals and other persons responsible for developing or modifying the In-Home Care Plans for clients; Transports and assists clients in obtaining transportation to medical appointments and community centers; May present Parenting or Job Readiness subject matter to clients in structured training sessions and conduct in-home follow-up; May assist clients with personal care such as giving baths, shampoos, dressing, feeding or using a bedpan; May provide temporary care of children or adults in the absence of the caregiver; May oversee court ordered family visits, testify in court or prepare a client for a court appearance; Performs other related duties.

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

Experience: One year of experience providing support services to children or adults through teaching and demonstrating practical living skills in order to promote and maintain independent living or assist in preserving the family structure.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute experience as defined above or experience in child or adult care giving, on a year-for-year basis, for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute nine credit hours from an accredited college or university in a human service program or human development program such as child development, sociology, social work, psychology, counseling, nursing, criminology, juvenile justice, human growth and development, human services, or mental health for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Social Services classifications or Social Services specialty codes in the Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Certified Nursing Assistant License or a Geriatric Nursing Assistant License.

Six months of experience in goal planning.

Six months of experience working with vulnerable children or adults. 

Six months of experience using Microsoft Office or Gmail. 

Six months of experience with transporting or assisting clients in obtaining transportation to medical appointments or community centers. 

Six months of experience explaining information to internal or external customers. 

1. Employees appointed to positions in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Some positions in this classification may be assigned duties that require the employees to acquire and maintain a license as a Certified Nursing Assistant or a Geriatric Nursing Assistant from the Maryland Board of Nursing at 4201 Patterson Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21215.  Information may be obtained at www.mbon.org/main.php. Obtaining this license within a specified time may be a condition of appointment or probation for these types of positions.

1. Employees in this classification who work with families with dependent children must successfully complete an approved entry-level training program before permanent appointment to positions.

2. Employees in this classification may be required to have access to and use their personal automobile in order to transport clients. Verification of appropriate vehicle insurance, which shall include coverage for transporting clients, must be provided to the department prior to performance of transport duties. Standard mileage allowance will be paid for the use of a privately owned vehicle.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.  It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplement questionnaire to: Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Room 137, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 p.m on the closing date.  Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application. 

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If unable to upload, please email requested information only to cynthia.mcmillian@maryland.gov.  Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time. 

If you have any questions concerning this recruitment process for this position, please contact 410-767-7199.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. 

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.