5A05
PAY RANGE: EP10*
SOCIAL WORK SERVICES TRAINEE
(Bilingual)
(General)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is training level work developing the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform social services work. An employee in this class functions in a training capacity receiving instruction in the principles, practices, procedures and application of social services work methods and techniques. Work includes exposure to the variety of counseling, referral, placement and/or adoptive functions required to provide services to children and youth, services to adults and aging, services to individuals with mental illness and/or with intellectual disabilities, services for family medical care and/or for correctional rehabilitation. As the training period progresses, the employee performs increasingly difficult and responsible work. Contact with individuals, their families, representatives of various 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 close supervision of a technical or managerial superior.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Performs the duties described below with members of the English language speaking and designated non-English language speaking populations.
All Positions:
GENERAL SPECIALTY
Attends training sessions, seminars and lectures to learn the concepts, principles, practices, and application of social services work; reads and studies textbooks, manuals, instruction sheets and applicable rules and regulations; receives instruction in the interpretation and application of appropriate laws, rules, regulations and procedures.
Receives on-the-job training on the accepted social services work methods and techniques for performing a variety of counseling, referral, placement and/or adoptive functions; consults with immediate supervisor on departmental policies, programs, and procedures; observes higher level employees in performing various phases of social services work within respective service areas; receives orientation on the respective programs within assigned functional area.
Receives instruction and performs a variety of field and office activities in the assigned phases of activity to enable an employee to learn to perform the following:
Interviews defined client and/or family members to elicit socio-economic, family, medical, employment and educational, and criminal justice background and history; reviews case record to identify special needs and/or problems; observes behavior of appropriate case members; discusses case with concerned members of professional and community groups; defines and identifies individuals and family members needs and problems.
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
Learn with supervision and become proficient in visiting homes and meeting with families to ensure that case documentation matches the family’s experience of services received.
Team Coordinator
Learn with supervision and become proficient in completing 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.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· English usage, spelling and grammar
· Social factors which contribute to attitudes and behaviors common to abandoned, neglected and/or dependent individuals
· Principles, practices and techniques of case work.
· Social factors and causes of social maladjustment which necessitate the placement or institutionalization of children and adults
ABILITY TO:
· learn the principles, practices and techniques of social services work as applied to children and youth, individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, depending on the assignment
· learn the functions and resources of public and private welfare and related agencies for meeting social, financial, and medical problems
· learn the theories, principles and techniques of working with individuals with severe emotional, mental, and social problems
· learn the principles, practices and techniques of individual and family counseling
· learn the principles, practices and methods of group dynamics
· apply social work techniques to specific problems
· prepare a variety of written reports
· present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
· 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 09/19.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program 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.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly 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.
LICENSES, REGISTRATION 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 Trainee, if required by work assignment.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT ONLY – BILINGUAL AND GENERAL SPECIALTIES
Certificate that verifies successful completion, within six (6) months after appointment, of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved course and examination entitled HIV Prevention Counseling and Proficiency Examination, 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.
Class Established – 8/57
Spec. Revision: CSC – 8/99; Ad. Board 10/99
CSC – 11/09; Ad. Board –12/09
Spec. Revision: CSC – 9/12; Ad. Board – 11/12
Spec. Revision: CSC – 2/18; Ad. Board – 3/18
Latest Spec. Revision: CSC – 7/19; Ad. Board – 9/19
Change in pay rate:
CSC – 9/22
Ad. Board - 10/22
SA