Social Worker II - Family Home Visitor

Job Summary

Provides supports to parents, as well as their children, by cultivating the growth of nurturing, responsive parent-child relationships promoting healthy childhood growth and development and supporting enhancement of family functioning. This long-term home visiting position works with the goal of risk reduction through building trusting, nurturing relationships, and improving families' supports systems through the implementation of professional level, evidence-based home visiting practices.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Conducts home visits with each family, promoting healthy parent-child relationships through developmentally appropriate goals, activities, and interventions. Meets required program standards related to frequency of home visits.
• Performs independent assessments of individuals, families, and communities by evaluating their physical, mental, social, and environmental health status; provides community health intervention based on assessment of need and current community resources within program standards.  
• Provides case management for clients by developing care plans, consulting with health care providers, referring clients to other health care resources, participating in team meetings, coordinating health care services, and educating clients and families on methods of positive health maintenance; initiates and conducts interdisciplinary conferences.  
• Provides parents with information and referrals to a broad range of appropriate community and medical services.   
• Coordinates screenings with health professionals to evaluate a child's development to meet program standards. Refers to early intervention services and other appropriate community services, as necessary.
• Provides education, skill development problem solving ideas, support, and resources to and assists clients to promote self-advocacy and self-sufficiency.   
• Maintains ongoing written documentation of observations/assessments of individual children and clients. Reviews and updates assessments in accordance with program plan and best-practice standards.   
• Assists to identify the gaps in the quality and accessibility of service for Scott County residents and makes recommendations to leadership.       
• Participates in reflective supervision individually and in groups.   
• Performs public health emergency response functions as trained and assigned within the department's emergency response plan.
• Represents the department in collaboration with internal and external partners, stakeholder groups, and clients. Participates on committees, workgroups, etc. related to work or expertise including child protection intake meetings, outreach, initiatives.
• Works the hours and/or shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time. 
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree and two years of experience in public health or human services or related field OR equivalency of an Associate's Degree and five years' experience in public health or human services or related field. Home visiting program experience or related experience working with or providing services to children and families is desirable. Bi-cultural and bilingual and the ability to translate and interpret are desired. Experience working with culturally diverse populations is preferred. A valid driver's license and a reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities are required. Must obtain CPR certification within three months of hire.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general supervision from the Public Health Supervisor. The employee works with considerable independent judgement in implementing work procedures, routine assignments, and special projects. Work is reviewed for accuracy and consistency. Annual reviews and ongoing supervision by the Public Health Supervisor will assist the employee in job performance standards.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
• Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
• Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
• Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
• Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
• Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of social work. 
• Knowledge of agency programs, operations, policies, and procedures. 
• Knowledge of federal, state, and county laws and regulations related to social work.
• Knowledge of and ability to use automated computer systems.
• Knowledge of community and other available resources.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of human behavior, cultural diversities, and language barriers to ensure equitable service delivery.
• Knowledge of social and economic problems that affect clients' health outcomes.
• Ability to conduct interviews.
•  Ability to exercise good judgment in making decisions and determining when additional case review or action is needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively via written documentation, in person or over the telephone or through virtual meeting platforms.
• Ability to assess, manage and analyze complex case situations to evaluate the needs for additional services.
• Ability to deal tactfully and efficiently with all levels of management, coworkers, and the general public.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in making decisions and determining when additional case review or action is needed.
• Ability to maintain complex computerized reporting systems.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.
• Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, occurring both in an office and in the field within clients' places of residence, work, or other non-county location. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing the needs/demands of multiple clients.  Incumbent may be exposed to various atmospheric conditions such as odors, dusts, pets, poor ventilation, fumes, etc. when working in clients' residences. Incumbent may be exposed to uncooperative, angry, and sometimes hostile clients. Some evening or weekend hours may be required. 

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.