Social Worker

Job Description Summary:

Under the direction of a supervisory officer in a State correctional institution or facility assumes a caseload of an appropriate number of inmates and provides counseling, assessment, and program planning services to these individuals; aids in informational and situational problem solving; does related work as required.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills.

60052L - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Interviews newly received inmates to obtain significant social, economic, and other contributory information.

Develops social histories for diagnostic, institutional adjustment, and overall rehabilitative purposes based upon interviews, institutional data, and other pertinent information.

Cooperates with the inmate and institution in planning, implementing, and evaluating participation in rehabilitative programs.

Provides recourse to appropriate institutional and community resources in response to medical, psychological, or other significant inmate needs.

In a correctional institution or community based facility, develops and carries out programs for inmates to participate in counseling or group discussions.

In a community based facility provides resources for medical, psychological, or other significant client needs.

Participates in appropriate planning and programs to assist and motivate the inmate toward a more constructive lifestyle upon release.

Prepares and maintains case histories for evaluation and follow-up support for inmates.

In a community based facility, participates in appropriate planning and programs to assist clients toward re-integration into the community.

Provides referral services for purposes to identify and assess treatment needs of substance abusers. Prepares reports containing findings and recommendations regarding inmate needs.

Prepares correspondence.

Maintains essential records and files.

Submits statistical reports on services rendered.

May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.

Five (5) years of professional experience in social case work, which shall have involved the responsibility for gathering and analyzing social information from clients, the determination of their needs, and the planning and administration of treatment plans geared toward the needs of individual clients.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree in social work including or supplemented by a supervised field placement accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. OR

Possession of a master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university.

NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of modern social work theory, standards, objectives, and methods.

Knowledge of the problems likely to be encountered in doing social work with persons who are confined to a correctional institution or a community-based facility, or who are suffering from alcohol/drug addictions.

Knowledge of the accepted principles, methods, and techniques in dealing with individuals and groups.

Knowledge of modern social work literature, methods, and terminology, and of current social, community, and correctional problems.

Knowledge of public and private social welfare, health, and educational agencies and organizations.

Knowledge of symptoms and behavior patterns which indicate substance abuse, as well as knowledge of the availability of appropriate treatment resources.

Ability to understand the overall mission of correctional programs and facilities.

Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret, and comply with rules, regulations, and procedures in a correctional institution.

Ability to organize assigned caseload and related duties, and develop effective working methods.

Ability to work effectively with a multi-disciplined staff in a correctional institution or community based facility. Ability to collect and assess factual information and to evaluate such facts.

Ability to comprehend the social, emotional, medical, or other adjustment needs of inmates confined in a correctional setting, or clients in a community based facility.

Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and authentic reports for case histories and purposes of evaluation or recommendation.

Ability to prepare correspondence in accordance with established procedures. Ability to maintain essential records and files.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which

are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title:

lob

Spec Code Variant State,

Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State

Class Code Local

Class Code Salary Note Range

60052D Corrections Corrections- S C NE 18 N/A P18

60052L Bilingual In Span & Engl S C NE 18 N/A P18

This job specification is for state government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government.

Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.