Social Services Assistant - Non-Merit

Regular Schedule:  34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Department of Health and Human Services, Family Child Protective Services.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring within this class may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application.  Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note:  Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered.  A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position.  Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You can attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

The role of the Family Service Division Social Services Assistant/Family Support Worker is to support and assist the Social Workers in the delivery of Out of Home (OOH) Intensive, clinical and concrete services to children placed in foster care to ensure their safety, wellbeing and permanence.

Job Function and Other Assigned Duties

• Transport children and/or parents safely and timely to appointments that will provide them with needed services to enhance the parent/child relationship. At all times, the incumbent will provide customer service to both internal and external customers that meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department.
• Supervise family visitation to provide safety of the child(ren) and direction to the parent(s) to enhance the parent/child relationship. Observation, verbalizing direction and role modeling are techniques used during the supervision of these visits. Negotiate visiting schedule with and between social worker, parents, children and/or foster care providers.
• Teach parenting and life skills to improve the overall ability level of parents/guardians who have their children in foster care by giving verbal tips, distributing material related to the subject matter, modeling and providing constructive feedback. Teach budgeting and home management to improve the parents/guardians’ overall control of their finances and household through verbal instruction and use of charts/written financial plans. Assist to meet goals outlined on FSW request or service agreement or safety plan.
• Prepare summary of contacts on progress of clients, services offered, assistance provided and overall documentation of family support work. Detail efforts made and describe if the parent was cooperative and receptive to services offered. Written documentation is required to be updated within 72 hrs. of contact in CHESSIE or via email to supervisor and social worker assigned to the case if one-time-only request or not assigned in CJAMS. Written documentation is required on a monthly basis.
• Additional duties, as assigned to support the Children’s Services Division. These duties, include but are not limited to, phone coverage, mass mail distribution, preparing packets for training, filing, scanning documents, data base entry, etc.
• Attend court review hearings, family team decision meetings, medical, therapy, educational or other appointments with client to provide supportive services or appropriate direction as necessary. Advocate for clients in crisis.
• Keep all interested parties informed of case status. Prepare leave accordingly; keep e-calendar up-to-date/accurate. Provide monthly stats. Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Emergency Operations and Quality Assurance: Participates, as needed, in the agency’s mandated obligation to provide mass care and shelter under the director of the County or State Emergency Operations Center, and to participate in quality improvement activities.

Performance Standards

• Transport children and/or parents safely and timely to appointments that will provide them with needed services to enhance the parent/child relationship. Keep monthly statistical log and submit to supervisor, as requested.
• Supervise visitations to provide safety and direction between all parties. Observe, intervene, redirect as needed. Supervise family visitation to provide safety of the child(ren) and direction to the parent(s) to enhance the parent/child relationship. Observation, verbalizing direction and role modeling are techniques used during the supervision of these visits. Negotiate visiting schedule between social worker, parents, children and foster care providers.
• Teach parenting and life skills as outlined on request.
• Prepare case and contact notes for FSW assignments in CHESSIE within 72 hr. of contact or send to social worker and supervisor via email if a one-time-only and not assigned the case on CHESSIE.
• Provide assistance as a member of the Support Unit to meet the needs of the division.
• Attend court review hearings, FTDM meetings, medical and other appointments to assist FSW customers with services and direction.
• Emergency Operations and Quality Assurance: Participates, as needed, in the agency’s mandated obligation to provide mass care and shelter under the director of the County or State Emergency Operations Center, and to participate in quality improvement activities.
• At all times, the incumbent will provide customer service to both internal and external customers that meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department.

Note: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.High School Diploma and experience working in the field of human services.

Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree
equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org)

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Social Services Assistant - Family Services - Child Protective Services
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204
You must attach your transcript(s), and/or degree(s), and/or certification(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are
acceptable.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions.  Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.Working Conditions

• Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings
  1. Must visit families in their home, which can occasionally be infested with insects or vermin, may have unpleasant/foul odors, may have animals, may be overcrowded, and may be dirty
  2. Work requires use of protective equipment such as gloves, mask, etc. when working in deplorable and/or unsanitary home conditions.
• Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions, which may result in injury.
  1. Involves using one’s own personal vehicle to drive to and from home visits, to other community-based destinations, and occasionally to transport clients.
  2. Requires driving into areas in the County, which may be unfamiliar with community or streets
  3. Involves occasionally driving in high crime areas in the County
  4. Clients may possess weapons, participate in drug or human trafficking, or suffer from very contagious illnesses such as Hep C, HIV+, etc.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.