5A06
PAY RANGE: EP12
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is social services work of limited scope and increasing difficulty. An employee in this class is responsible for performing a wide variety of counseling, referral, placement and/or adoptive assignments related to services to children and youth, services to adults and the aging, and correctional rehabilitation. Employees work independently on less complex assignments and receive a somewhat greater degree of supervisory guidance on the more complex assignments. Assignments expand in scope and complexity as employees gain experience in the work. Contact with individuals, their families, representatives of private and public welfare agencies, representatives of professional and community groups, and the general public is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a technical or managerial superior.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Performs the duties shown below with members of the English language speaking and designated non-English language speaking populations.
All Positions
Performs a variety of counseling, referral, placement and/or adoptive services for assigned cases within respective program; interviews defined client and/or family members to elicit information and reviews case record for client's and family's profiles, socio-economic history, previous treatment and service experiences, and/or special problems and needs; observes interactions of client, family members and peers; contacts concerned members of professional and community groups to discuss case, problems, prognosis, behavior patterns, recommendations and service needs.
Evaluates individual's needs, interest, motivation and pattern of responsibility; develops service plan to provide a variety of social services and referrals to meet social, financial, behavioral, medical and/or psychological needs; recommends most appropriate vocational, educational, counseling and/or treatment programs; provides continuous counseling to achieve objectives, enhance communications and understanding, and resolve problems; counsels individuals in such areas as personal and family management, housing, schooling, employment, and skill development; monitors progress, attitudes, and behavior of individual and family members; discusses case, special problems, client's needs and proposed service plan with supervisor.
Plans for the appropriate placement of individual in a temporary or permanent care program, facility or institution; arranges for any medical or psychiatric treatment prior to placement; interviews and orients prospective applicants, clients and providers in the program's goals and objectives, roles and responsibilities of various parties, and legal ramifications; places individual in most appropriate program; visits client home and placement facility to evaluate progress and/or problems of client, and services to client; reviews reports on status, progress and/or problems of client; prepares written evaluations of agency; finds alternative placement for client when condition, circumstances or problems warrant; may recommend services provided to client by agency be terminated.
Initiates court action when appropriate; prepares necessary court petitions and documents; discusses case with attorneys, witnesses, and other departmental officials; testifies in court.
Prepares a variety of reports, forms, and correspondence such as case summaries, progress reports, and authorization forms; attends staff and personal conferences.
Performs related work as required.
Department of Human Services Positions Only
Quality Visitation Reviewer
Visits homes and meets with families to ensure that case documentation matches the family’s experience of services received.
Team Coordinator
Completes Family Finding and all other appropriate searches for extended family and supports utilizing electronic searches and databases; schedules team decision making meetings and invites all stakeholders to attend meetings; completes the initial Family Information Form to identify relatives to notify about placement; engages families and explains the purpose and importance of participating in the team meeting; attends the team meeting and records notes and recommendations that will drive the practice.
Schedules teaming decision making meetings.
Gathers information on, communicates with and schedules participants in the teamings.
Assists the Practice Specialist in preparation for each teaming; reviews any case documents such as the current status of cases and service plans and gathers pertinent information; provides any necessary support to ensure that teamings occur timely and successfully; tracks progress and maintains record of all teamings; prepares reports, forms, and correspondences as appropriate.
Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center Assignment
Performs above-mentioned duties and a variety of counseling and referral services for juvenile residents at the Juvenile Justice Services Center; acts as a liaison for residents by communicating with Court officers, probation officers, therapists, medical providers, families, educators and other social work agencies; administers assessments and screening instruments; documents case management and assessments in file system; write court reports; ensures quality of social work services provided to residents and implements best practices; completes training required under PA Code Chapter 3800.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· the principles, practices and techniques of social services work as it pertains to children and youth, adults and the aging, and those correctionally institutionalized
· the laws, regulations and rules governing the provision of social services to children and youth, adults and the aging, and those correctionally institutionalized
· philosophy and objectives underlying social services for children and youth
· current social, economic and health programs appropriate for the population served
· functions and resources of public and private welfare and related agencies for meeting social, financial, and medical problems
· theories, principles and techniques of working with individuals with severe emotional, mental, and social problems
· the causes of social maladjustment and other social factors which necessitate the placement or institutionalization of children and adults
· social factors which contribute to attitudes and behaviors common to abandoned, neglected and/or dependent individuals
· the principles, practices, methods and techniques in the field of social service planning
· social, environmental, economic and psychological factors underlying the breakdown of the family structure
· concepts and methods utilized in the prevention of self-destructive behaviors
· English usage, spelling and grammar
ABILITY TO:
· observe, recognize, analyze and report an individual's behavioral, attitudinal, emotional and social problems and develop a plan for their resolution
· evaluate program service quality and effectiveness as it relates to an individual's needs
· employ tact, diplomacy and judgment in dealing with sensitive or personal problems and hostile attitudes
· establish rapport and cooperative relationships with individuals possessing social and emotional problems
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private social service officials, representatives of community organizations, associates and the general public
· prepare a variety of written reports
· present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
· Use personal computers and relevant software packages and applications
· Use computer analytic tools, standard quantitative data collection tools, and qualitative interviews if required by assignment
· complete staff trainings required by state regulations for positions in DHS assigned to the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center
· use medically reviewed and recognized Emergency Safety Physical Intervention (ESPI) techniques to physically restrain youths as needed to maintain safety and security for Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Center Positions only
· speak read and write in a specified non-English language and in English fluently for the bilingual specialty
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/19.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree in social work, social services, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, behavioral health, public health, human services, human or child development, education or a closely related field at an accredited college or university.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Two years of case management experience that has been accrued after completion of the bachelor’s degree program performing a variety of social services related to children and youth, adults and the aging, and/or correctional rehabilitation.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.
NOTE: This note does not apply to career advancement or in-position promotion. A Master's Degree in Social Work may be substituted for the two years of experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to converse effectively in English and the designated non-English language.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Ability to physically restrain youths using medically reviewed and recognized Emergency Safety Physical Intervention (EPSI) techniques in order to maintain safety and security of self and residents until assistance arrives for Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center positions only.
Ability to escort youths throughout the facility including corridors, and climbing up
and down stairs as required for Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center positions
only.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Social Work Services Manager 1, if required by work assignment.
Note: This is not a licensed social worker position.
Department of Human Services Positions Only
Note: Child Protective Service Law requires FBI criminal history background check as well as the PSP criminal history background check and Pennsylvania child abuse background check as a condition of initial employment and during tenure of employment.
NOTE: If the FBI/Pennsylvania State Police criminal background checks reveal the existence of a disqualifying offense, additional documentation must be submitted as required by the City of Philadelphia to determine eligibility for appointment to or continued employment in the class under the Child Protective Services Law.
Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center Positions
As mandated by Pennsylvania Code Chapter 3800 governing Child Treatment Facilities, certification of completion of Crisis Intervention and Behavior Management training within 120 days of appointment and recertification on an annual basis during tenure of employment is required for the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center positions.
Class Established - 1/53
Spec. Revision - 12/89
CSC - 7/94; Ad. Board - 8/94; CSC - 8/09; Ad. Board - 9/09
CSC - 11/09; Ad. Board - 12/09
CSC - 9/12; Ad. Board - 11/12
Spec. Revision: CSC – 11/15; Ad. Board – 12/15
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 7/19
Ad. Board – 9/19
SA