Social Worker I

Job Summary

Performs specialized entry level social worker duties. The employee assists in social work services in a specialized area of a program including assessment, guidance, and referral of clients seeking assistance. Develops and implements individualized treatment plans involving the application of casework methods. The employee may be assigned duties in any of the Social Service units. Assignments are interchangeable dependent on department needs and specific program requirements.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides direct services to clients, including:
• Coordinates educational opportunities and training for individuals, groups, and organizations, including curriculum updates and outcomes reporting.
• Practices solution-focused interviewing.
• Assists in the development of safety plans.
• Case management services to Interstate Compact cases; making recommendations and reports regarding safety, permanency, and well-being of children.
• ICPC tasks may include: monthly in-person client contact; referrals for services; assisting families in the adoption process; participating in interagency staffing/meetings; following up with other service providers.        
• Assesses family dynamics and individual needs to determine if safety is immediately compromised; if so, seeks intervention.
• Provides support services - supervises visitation and assesses parental functioning to involuntary child protection clients. In the time of a state of emergency may require the use of PPE kits to assure health and safety.
• Develops behavioral, safety, and cognitive intervention plans and goals with clients, measures and documents progress.
• Coordinates Family Unification Program (FUP) to provide housing for eligible clients; serves as liaison to the Community Development Agency (CDA).
• Interviews adults or children who may have a variety of mental, physical, or behavioral issues to determine service needs.
• Provides in-home contact with clients and communicates with family members and service providers to develop plans of intervention, work on identified goals, monitor progress, and determine termination/continuation of service.
• Provides in-person contact and monitoring county-funded guardianship/conservatorship cases. (HCC specific)
• Provides problem solving consultation and conflict resolution to clients and service providers.
• Teaches independent living skills to youth and adults.
• Assists clients with identifying and accessing community resources. Works directly with families to develop social services plans and Community Support Grant (CSG) expenditure plans; monitors expenditures and resolves issues that arise.
• Develops and reviews clients' Individual Community Support Plans (ICSP) based on functional and diagnostic assessments.
• Monitors discharge plans for clients leaving residential treatment facility, regional treatment center, or inpatient hospital.
• Evaluates assessed needs and negotiating a service rate for providers. (HCC specific)
• Facilitates social, educational and recreational groups at the Anchor Center.
• Facilitates outings with Anchor Center clients.
• Coordinates special activities at Anchor Center and coordinates with outside providers and organizations.
• Maintains a Mental Health Adult Services caseload.
• Assists and teaches clients independent living skills such as budgeting and money management, shopping, and organization.
• Completes a calendar and newsletter for the Anchor Center monthly.
• Assists clients with applying for Social Security and/or retaining legal representation.
• Assists clients with finding and maintaining housing.
• Assists clients in attaining and maintaining MA, GA, MFIP and SNAP benefits.
• Assists clients in coordinating services with community providers.
• Assists clients making and keeping appointments with medical and psychiatric providers.
• Provides transportation for clients.
• Facilitates the Scott County NAMI meeting twice a month.
• Performs client intake and triage, including:
• Identifies current service needs, interpreting programs to clients, and referring clients and/or family to appropriate community services.
• Provides callers with information and eligibility requirements regarding home- and community-based services and MA.
• Advocates for and helps clients access departmental and community services.
• Maintains waiting lists for programs and services. 
• Records and maintains documentation:
• Completes case notes and documentation of all client and collateral contacts and communications.
• Provides court documentation and testimony.
• Provides documentation of each contact in EHR.
• Provides billing documentation
• Documents weekly required clinical supervision and continuing education for mental health practitioner status and billing (MA standards).
• Records all planning, assessing, record keeping, and documenting associated with the service coordination of a case.
• Maintains detailed grids of provider competencies, coding formulas, credentialing, and service agreements.

MnCHOICES Specific:

• Determines need for intervention by child and adult protective services in cases of abuse and or neglect.
• Coordinates MnCHOICES communications about a mutual recipient’s assessments, reassessments, and support plans.
• Receives requests for assessments or information from completed assessments from lead agencies. Identifies and notifies the appropriate person or business area within his/her agency of the need to assume the lead or complete a function, e.g., Rule 185 determinations, waiver allocations, transition supports, assessments, etc.
• Receives and tracks reassessment requests and assigns to a certified assessor to complete MnCHOICES assessment.
• Provides data used to monitor trends and developments relating to client and program needs.
• May provide placement support, [including oversight of Title IV-E program], Social Security eligibility, and MA for youth in care.   
• Identifies medical supplies needed and negotiates rates with providers; arranges services for clients as directed. 
• May manage and monitor CCB Waiver Management System to assure that all authorizations are within budget. 
• May maintain CCB wait-list and assigns available slots based upon Department of Human Services (DHS) and agency priorities. 
• Participates in case conferences, administrative reviews, recipient staffing, permanency and placement mappings, safety planning meetings/conferences, and informal conferences. 
• Coordinates with other agencies to obtain services for recipients.
• Responsible for supporting an inclusive environment focused on equitable outcomes.
• 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 in a human service-related field. Bachelor of Social Work is preferred. One must possess a valid driver's license and a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities. 

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general guidance and direction from a Social Work Supervisor, Manager, or Director. Work is performed according to established professional guidelines and procedures, as well standards and procedures which are determined by county, state, or federal regulations. The employee exercises considerable independent judgment in implementing new work methods and procedures. Work may be reviewed for overall standard of performance.

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 federal and state laws and regulations related to social work.
• Knowledge of methods of coaching and teaching to adapt clients' varying learning styles and needs.
• Knowledge of agency programs, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to conduct interviews.
• Ability to maintain records regarding case work.
• Ability to analyze complex case situations to evaluate the need for support services.
• Ability to engage others in activity that supports self-care and personal safety.
• Ability to problem-solve and advocate on behalf of others.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in making decisions and determining when additional case review or action is needed.
• Ability to follow complex verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to use MS Office software and other state and local technologies 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 in community-based settings. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing the needs/demands of multiple clients. One may be exposed to agitated, upset, aggressive, hostile individuals and clients; out of control children and pets; and unknown conditions in office, home-based and community settings. Evening and weekend hours may be required for accomplishing this work. 

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. This may also include assisting with the care needs of young children (e.g. diaper changes, feedings, etc.). Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files, equipment, and items related to client care 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.