Social Worker

General Definition of Work

Provides professional level assessment, consultation, eligibility determination and administration of a variety of social services programs and services to Swift County residents. Must accurately interpret and apply multiple complex policies and procedures outlined in various manuals, DHS bulletins and statutes. Works under limited supervision in critical situations to make decisions in the field and collaborates with supervisor and team to manage complex cases. Responsible for responding to immediate health and safety needs, coordinating and delivering services to clients, evaluating and assessing the success of services being provided, recommending additional services that may be useful, and related work, both in the office setting and in the field. Salary: Depending on qualifications. Hiring Range: $33.84 - $35.91/hour Full Range: $33.84 - $44.17/hour

Essential Functions

Assess and respond to the psychosocial, behavioral, medical and safety needs of clients and families to coordinate appropriate services to meet client and family needs via ongoing communication with clients, families, and providers.

Maintain a working knowledge of appropriate resources and how to proceed in finding unknown resources by establishing working relationships with other units within the agency, providers, other county social service agencies and the state.

Establish professional relationships and build rapport with clients to impart appropriate knowledge and understanding, assist in assessing their needs and challenges, and make a plan to meet the identified needs, while maintaining healthy and professional boundaries.

Initiate action and act as an advocate for clients with increasingly complex needs, keeping their best interests at the forefront.

Determine eligibility for a variety of social services programs.

Create, implement, and monitor detailed, person-centered service plans to manage goals, services, and resources specific to each client, while maintaining paper and electronic files to meet federal, state, and local mandates and timelines.

Provide education to clients, family members and representatives regarding programs and services available.

Determine appropriate services with clients through in-depth conversations and make referrals on their behalf to a variety of support services.

Analyze, investigate, and manage critical circumstances and crisis situations where imminent danger to self or others is apparent or possible.

Prepare extensive and comprehensive court reports, court petitions, testimony and appears personally to represent the County.

Respond to clients needing assistance with emergencies, seeking information or reporting concerns via phone call, text message, email or in-person visits.

Facilitate and/or participate in community organizations and activities which will promote utilization of services and the development of community-based services.

Collaborate with local, state, federal, insurance and managed care agencies regarding policies, funding, and service delivery.

Calculate, manage, and disburse allocated funds for health and human services programs while working within budget constraints in a fiscally responsible manner.

Recruit, license, train, and support service providers.

Work effectively in more than one unit/program area and manage large, complex caseloads.

Participate in, organize and provide ongoing training and education to increase community knowledge and skills.

Prepare and maintain case records which meet federal, state, and local guidelines, which require staying up-to-date with changes in technology across multiple platforms.

Interpret policies and regulations to clients and their families and act as an advocate on their behalf.

Triage client needs as they come in, both immediate and ongoing, by participating in the intake rotation during business hours and on-call duties after hours.

Report immediately any suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult as a mandated reporter.

Additional Functions

Attends trainings and meetings.

Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Qualification Requirements

Quality of Work

Maintains a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Demonstrates the ability to use resources productively, effectively, and efficiently.

Demonstrates the ability to think proactively, anticipates potential problems, and provides workable solutions and alternatives with a 'can do' approach.

Develops and maintains good working knowledge of job responsibilities and prescribed procedures, which facilitates the efficient performance of duties.

Takes initiative to utilize job knowledge to analyze situations, resolve problems, and reach decisions.

Quantity of Work

Exhibits good organizational and time management skills: plans and schedules completion of work accountabilities in order of priority, making the most effective use of time.

Self-motivated and works independently: demonstrates willingness to assume new and challenging assignments.

Demonstrates ability to work well under pressure, utilizing resources effectively.

Professional Conduct/Integrity

Demonstrates knowledge and actions consistent with the County's values and the County's code of ethics and conduct.

Demonstrates high moral principles and professional standards with others through truthfulness and sincerity; makes ethical decisions.

Shows respect for others' ideas, perspectives, and styles.

Demonstrates appropriate business etiquette and social skills.

Customer Service

Provides information, options, and/or solutions to inquiries, concerns, and/or requests from the diverse public in a respectful manner.

Maintains the County's reputation of providing a high level of customer satisfaction.

Communication

Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain working relationships to produce results, and a work environment that builds rapport and trust.

Communicates professionally and effectively with internal and external customers through spoken and written correspondence, including emails.

Maintains confidentiality.

Listens well; respects viewpoints different than own.

Contributes knowledge, experience, and feedback appropriately to others.

Safety

Maintains a safe work environment by complying with County safety policies and procedures, and attends necessary trainings.

Performs duties with consideration to minimize risk. Reports safety concerns to appropriate parties.

Accountability and Dependability

Adheres to all County policies and procedures.

Competently performs all required job duties.

Maintains an acceptable record of work attendance, and punctuality in accordance with County and Department requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, processes, and procedures governing social work in a county setting.

Knowledge of social work, human development, and psychology.

Knowledge of social work ethics.

Knowledge of organization, department policies, ordinances, laws, practices, procedures, departmentlegalguidelines,recommendations,andbestpractices.

Knowledge of state and federal policies

Knowledge of current social, economic and health issues.

Knowledge of local and regional resources, organizations, and agencies.

Knowledge of agency programs, services, policies, procedures, and organization.

Knowledge of individual, family, and group counseling.

Knowledge of mental and physical health needs of clients.

Knowledge of interviewing techniques.

Knowledge of laws and ethics pertaining to data privacy.

Skills in creating and maintaining effective service plans and records of services provided.

Skills in operating office equipment and multiple software programs and running necessary updates.

Ability to interview, assess and evaluate needs of clients.

Ability to exercise professional judgment, critical thinking, and in-depth analysis in a crisis situation.

Ability to prioritize and organize tasks while dealing with frequent interruptions to ensure performance standards are achieved.

Ability to be flexible with the variety, size and complexity of caseloads and switch between thedutiesrequiredwhenworkinginmultipleunits.

Ability to interpret complex policy, complete research and troubleshoot problems with different software programs.

Abilitytowriteprofessionalreportsandmaintain accurate records.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and data privacy.

Ability to deal with aggressive, uncooperative, or out-of-control behaviors.

Ability to effectively de-escalate hostile people and crisissituations.

Abilitytouseresourcesproductivelyandinafiscallyresponsible manner.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and community partners.

Abilitytocommunicateeffectively,bothorallyandinwriting,andhavestrong positive public relationsskills.