Human Services Associate - Family Services

Job Title

A vacancy exists in the Department of Health and Human Services, Family Services.

Job Description

Under general supervision, screens, evaluates, and monitors clients in the Child Advocacy Center, provides counseling and case management services as part of a treatment or rehabilitative plan, and makes referrals to other agencies or professionals. This position is responsible for ensuring clients are promptly and appropriately connected to trauma-informed care, maintaining a robust network if vetted community resources, and proactively managing the referral process from initiation through successful service linkage.

Examples of Duties

Interviews clients to establish case history or reviews case histories of referrals in order to assess needs. Assesses client needs and develops an appropriate plan which will include referral of client to another agency or professional. Provides crisis intervention and individual, family and group counseling to clients. Proactively follows up on all mental health services linkage for clients. Continuously identifies, vets, and maintains a comprehensive database of therapists. Monitors and evaluates clients' participation in treatment program by case management. Maintains detailed records of clients' activities and provides reports to courts or other agencies upon request. Follows up on referrals and acts as a liaison between clients, the courts, clinics, employers, and community organizations. Attends court arraignments and trials. Prepares statistical and summary reports as requested. Conducts educational, community relations, prevention, and outreach programs. Attends meetings and training sessions.

Examples of Other Duties

Recommends and assists in implementing corrective actions related to problem areas in overall program. May supervise and/or train subordinate human services and clerical personnel. May act as lead worker. May transport clients or make home visits. Assists sick or injured senior adults until emergency personnel arrive at the scene. Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)

Knowledge of the theories and principles of human behavior, growth and development, mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, and problems related to socioeconomic factors. Knowledge of modern individual, group, and family counseling techniques, diagnostic assessment, and basic treatment planning. Basic knowledge of community, human, and social services assistance programs. Writing skill necessary to complete forms, medical records, case histories, and reports. Good interpersonal skills. Ability to conduct individual diagnostic/assessment interviews and to formulate a basic treatment plan. Ability to make appropriate referrals. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with others. Ability to appropriately handle hostile individuals and those experiencing a crisis. Ability to understand the rules and procedures of the courts and criminal justice system. Ability to interpret Federal, State, and local regulations, procedures, and guidelines for human services professionals. Ability to read and understand professional journals and other publications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance)

Knowledge of the theory and practice of provision of human services in the applicable specialty. Knowledge of the organization and role of assigned program within the County and State human services structure. Knowledge of community resources and support groups available to clients. Knowledge and understanding of applicable Federal, State, and local regulations, procedures, and guidelines including those of the courts and criminal justice system. Knowledge of County and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to performance of duties. Skill in conducting individual diagnostic/assessment interviews and formulating basic treatment plans. Skill in making appropriate referrals. Skill in handling hostile individuals. Skill in crisis intervention. Skill in individual, group, and family counseling. Skill in case management. Ability to assist in the development of complex or comprehensive treatment plans. Ability to conduct educational programs for clients or the community. Ability to lead and instruct other workers within the program.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a social or behavioral science. Experience as described in essential duties may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required education. Some positions within this classification may require possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver's license at the time of appointment. Applicants are required to submit proof of education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Proof of license(s) certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application. Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (

Conditions of Employment

Employees in this classification may be assigned to a work shift that includes evenings, nights, weekends and/or holidays. Employees are subject to call to duty in emergencies and may be required to work overtime as needed. Employees must satisfactorily complete County sponsored CPR and First Aid training and maintain certification throughout employment. These positions are essentially sedentary with occasional walking, lifting, or other limited physical activities. Positions require traveling between work sites. Applicant's selected for an appointment to a position in Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.