Social Worker

Social Worker

The Social Worker is a full time, non-civil service position whom performs professional and technical duties involved in assisting all litigants who come through General Sessions Court, including their families by providing them with services designed to help them meet a variety of human, personal and environmental needs. This includes engaging and connecting community resources to the General Sessions Court and the people served through the court.

Typical Duties

• Working collaboratively with judges, attorneys, law enforcement, probation officers, and other system personnel to assist litigants with social service needs ranging from housing, mental health resources, food access, and any other services to assist with the holistic well-being of the individual.
• Provides appropriate services to clients and information to the general public.
• Provides information and referral services to clients and the public.
• Formulates service plans and reviews them with clients and other service providers.
• Coordinates with existing court social services, including specialty courts, outside agencies, and faith-based programs.
• Provides clients with information to enable them to understand and use the program's services and to understand any conditions for the continuation of services.
• Counsels with clients on an individual, family, or group basis.
• Participates in providing specific services, benefits, technical assistance and/or support to clients, lawyers, judges, and other system personnel.
• Responsible for managing a case load, keeping documentation, creating reports, and other information necessary to track referrals, services rendered and determining other metrics to improve General Sessions services, identify barriers and needs of those coming through the system, and to reduce recidivism and create greater opportunities for these persons.
• Reviews and evaluates service plans and monitors progress making revisions as needed.
• Prepares clients for termination of services.
• Must participate in trainings, including areas related to domestic violence, mental health awareness, diversity, professional development.
• Must become well-versed in the operations of General Sessions court and its dockets.
• Ability to exercise confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Ability to interact professionally on a regular basis with a diverse population within the Court's jurisdiction, including people from many different geographic, socioeconomic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Performs related administrative duties:
• Assists with development and design of program objectives and content.
• Researches and recommends alternative methods of program management.
• May perform needs analysis studies in order to identify specific needs for the General Sessions Court.
• Assist the General Sessions Court with specific projects.
• Maintains accurate case and professional records.
• Writes letters, narratives statistical reports and completes forms.
• May assist with budget preparation for the program.
• Attends meeting as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited college or university and have licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply. Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic principles, methodologies and ethics involved in social work.
• Knowledge of a wide range of community resources, outside agencies and the services they provide.
• Knowledge of the development and operation of major social service programs.
• General knowledge of significant problems of human behavior and community living.
• General knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing social service programs.
• General knowledge of a variety of treatment modalities.
• General knowledge of therapeutic group techniques.
• Skill in interviewing, making case assessments, counseling with and assisting clients in goal formulation and realization.
• Skill in counseling individuals and groups.
• Skill in explaining program requirements and services to the public.
• Skill in gathering relevant and useful social information.
• Ability to instruct others.
• Ability to assess situations accurately.
• Ability to establish and implement service plans and modify them as needed.
• Ability to work effectively with the public.
• Ability to explain program requirements and services to the public.
• Ability to accurately record information, case activity and case progress.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with clients.
• Ability to plan and implement programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Metro Nashville is committed to selecting the most qualified candidate for each of our roles. Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations. Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources.