Family Services Caseworker II

Family Services Caseworker II

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 II is the full performance level of work in local departments of social services that provide direct social services to troubled individuals or families and 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 general supervision from a Licensed Social Worker. Employees in this classification may be required to work evenings and on weekends and may be assigned to provide on-call coverage. Work is performed in customers homes, schools, hospitals and other community settings. Employees may be required to deal with potentially hazardous situations.

Position Duties:

• Assists customers in identifying, developing and using their potential capabilities and community resources to resolve social, health, emotional, behavioral and economic problems
• Interviews customers to obtain information needed to determine eligibility for social services
• Assesses case situations to make recommendations to supervisor regarding individualized plans of service
• Provides limited counseling and crisis intervention services to customers regarding personal, economic and social problems
• Establishes and maintains personal contact with other social services agencies and community resources to facilitate the referral of individual customers
• Checks public records, such as birth records, for data and to verify information such as income, kinship and residence
• Prepares and manages case records and reports concerning information secured and services rendered
• Testifies in legal proceedings regarding family service cases
• Develops and implements a personalized training plan to maintain and upgrade knowledge and skills related to the delivery of direct services
• May testify in court as an expert witness
• May provide on-call coverage
• May participate in the investigation of suspected child or adult abuse or neglect
• May make recommendations to place children in foster and adoptive homes
• May 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.

Experience: Two years providing casework or community organizational services in a public or private social service agency.

Notes:

• Candidates may substitute the possession of a License as a Bachelor of Social Work from the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners for one year of the required experience.
• 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 Management, 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:

• Employees in this classification must complete an approved training program and pass a competency test prior to permanent appointment to positions.
• 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.
• Employees in this classification may be subject to on-call duty and may be required to provide telephone numbers at 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 and placed on the eligible (employment) 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 assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position. 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).