Family Services Caseworker Trainee

Family Services Caseworker Trainee

This Statewide recruitment has been opened to establish a list of eligible candidates to be used to fill current and future vacancies occurring in our Local Departments of Social Services throughout the State. Please indicate the counties in which you are willing to accept employment on your application.

Main Purpose of Job

A Family Services Caseworker Trainee is the entry level of work providing direct social services to troubled individuals or families that are designed to sustain and improve the social, health, economic, behavioral and emotional functioning of customers. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions. Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Licensed Social Worker. Employees in this classification may be required to work evenings and on weekends. Work is performed in customers homes, schools, hospitals and other community settings. Employees may be required to deal with potentially hazardous situations.

Position Duties Examples of Work:

• Learns to assist customers in identifying, developing and using their potential capabilities and community resources to resolve social, health, emotional, behavioral and economic problems;
• Learns to interview customers to obtain information needed to determine eligibility for social services;
• Learns to assess case situations and make recommendations to supervisor regarding individualized plans of service;
• Learns to provide limited counseling and crisis intervention services to customers;
• Learns to establish and maintain personal contact with other social services agencies and community resources to facilitate the referral of individual customers;
• Learns to check public records, such as birth records, for data and to verify information such as income, kinship and residence;
• Learns to prepare and manage case records and reports concerning information secured and services rendered;
• Learns to testify in legal proceedings regarding family service cases;
• Learns to develop and implement a personalized training plan to maintain and upgrade knowledge and skills related to the delivery of direct services;
• May learn to provide on-call coverage;
• May learn to participate in the investigation of suspected child or adult abuse or neglect;
• May learn to make recommendations for placement of children in foster and adoptive homes;
• May learn to participate in the initial investigation of fatalities that result from suspected abuse or neglect;
• Performs other related duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

Education: A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate behavioral science, such as: child development, sociology, social work, psychology, counseling, nursing, criminology, juvenile justice, human growth and development, human services, mental health or human resources management that includes at least 30 credit hours in human services or human development. (Please clearly indicate your bachelor's degree major on your application.)

Experience: None.

Note: These requirements are established by the Social Services Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article Title 4, Subtitle 301 Section (b) (1) of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Department of Budget and Managemen, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits does not have the authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

Licenses, Registrations and Certifications

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operators license valid in the State of Maryland.

Special Requirements

1. Candidates for this classification must complete an approved training program and pass a competency test prior to permanent appointment to positions.

2. Employees in this classification are required to meet mandatory standards for continuing education as determined by the Department of Human Services. Employees who fail to obtain the required continuing education credits shall be subject to disciplinary action including demotion, suspension and dismissal.

3. Employees in this classification may be subject to on-call duty and may be required to provide telephone numbers where they can be reached.

Selection Process

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. If you are in State service and are a promotional candidate, your salary will be determined in accordance with State of Maryland guidelines.

Examination Process

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.

Benefits

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date). Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year. Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year. Parental Leave - up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child. Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.