Under general supervision, performs varied duties in assisting Social Workers with carrying out in-home services case plans; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3, of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
An incumbent of this class serves as a social services liaison for Social Workers and other professional social services staff by interviewing and observing client homes to assess their homemaking, child care and attendant care environment and needs. Incumbents are responsible for role modeling, teaching and demonstrating methods of household management and parenting skills. These skills are utilized to assist adults and families to cope with their problems by learning parenting skills which will allow them to maintain independent living, or to keep the family as an intact unit.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Conducts home visits; observes and
reports any information that may constitute fraud, abuse or violation of rules
as outlined in case plan to appropriate professional staff.
Reviews social case plan including
family history, services and/or resources to be provided and confers with
social workers, department management, and representatives of other agencies as
appropriate; reports on client interactions and/or living conditions.
Demonstrates food preparation,
comparison shopping, housekeeping, or household repairs; advises client in
basic nutrition, money management, personal hygiene, appropriate parenting
skills; arranges transportation needs.
Assesses parents’ abilities to meet the
basic physical and emotional needs of their children and assists them in
learning to meet these needs.
Establishes and maintains a cooperative
relationship with social work staff and clients; acts as liaison between client
and social worker.
Monitors and reports on families’
progress in meeting service goals.
Meets with social worker involved with
the development of the case plan on a regular basis to discuss goals, progress,
or problems of specific cases.
Writes brief reports, develops and
maintains various records that document appropriate case related information.
Develops and maintains community
contacts which serve as additional resources for clients and social workers;
guides clients or family members in accessing resources as identified in case
plan; may provide assistance with completing and submitting application forms
to obtain services.
Assists clients and family members in
building a community support system for on-going success.
Uses confrontation communication skills
in an appropriate manner to engage the clients into the case plan.
May monitor parent-child visitations or
interactions as assigned.
Attend social services meetings and
training as assigned; serves as a member of the Child Family Team (CFT).
May
testify at court and administrative hearings to verify records, responses, and
observations related to visitations, if subpoenaed.
May assist in the transporting of children
or families in emergency situations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Completion of 30
semester units at an accredited college or university, including at least 6
semester units in the social or behavioral sciences.
Experience:
One year of paid experience in a health, social services or community
organization, or institution providing direct health or social services care to
children or adults.
License:
Possession of a valid California
driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Basic standards and procedures of housekeeping
and laundering including methods, materials, and equipment uses; principles of
nutrition, meal planning and proper food preparation techniques; household
organization and management; household budgeting; principles of child care;
principles of child, adolescent, and adult growth and development; social research
techniques and outreach with community based organizations.
ABILITY
Follow oral and written instructions and procedures; speak clearly and effectively; write legibly and effectively; basic record keeping; collect and compile a variety of data and information; communicate effectively with persons from a variety of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds; set priorities and work independently; make accurate arithmetical computation; work with children and adults in crisis situations; learn the principles and techniques of teaching and training; use common household tools and equipment, including those used for food preparation, basic household clean-up and clothing care; explain agency programs to clients; learn applicable laws, policies and procedures as they relate to each program or assignment.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility—Occasional operating of key board, sitting for long periods, standing for long periods, walking, bending/squatting, climbing stairs, crawling and Frequent driving; Lifting—Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds; Vision—Constant overall vision, Depth Perception, Reading/Close-up Work; Occasional color perception; frequent eye/hand coordination, field of vision/peripheral; Dexterity- Occasional holding, reaching, grasping, repetitive motion and writing; Hearing/Talking—Frequent talking, hearing normal speech, hearing on telephone/radio; Occasional hearing of faint sounds; Emotional/Psychological Factors - Occasional emergency situations, occasional exposure to trauma, grief, death and hazardous material; frequent public contact, decision making and working alone; Special Conditions—Occasional exposure to indoor and outdoor climates, noise, dust, dirt, smoke, hazardous materials and overtime.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.