SOCIAL WORKER, POLICE SOCIAL SERVICES
DEFINITION:
Under direction, performs office and field work in providing preventative and rehabilitative social
work services to clients and affected parties where police and/or court intervention has or may
occur; does related work as required.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Upon referral from the municipal police department, municipal court or the Community Human
Relations Commission, organizes assigned social work and develops effective work methods.
Interviews clients, their families and other concerned persons and obtains the significant social and
other data needed for diagnosis and social work services.
Provides appropriate advice and counsel to clients and affected parties referred to the social
services program for various committed or potential crimes and offenses and including such areas
as wife and/or child abuse; family disputes; neighborhood disturbances; juvenile delinquency;
mental health aberrations, for example, psychotic episodes and/or potential suicides.
Exercises independent social work judgment essential to secure essential medical and/or
psychiatric attention for the client where warranted.
Collaborates with staff members and ancillary bureaus and/or agencies in effecting the
rehabilitation of families and neighborhood harmony.
Gives talks before various groups on the scope and nature of the program and services provided
by the agency.
Makes referral of cases of observed or reported suspected illegal activities to supervisor.
Maintains a liaison with religious and civic community councils.
Meets with representatives of social service agencies, citizens groups, courts, police and schools
regarding the type of social service to be provided to the client and affected parties.
Prepares special reports and social histories.
Records diagnostic thinking and plans for services.
Prepares suitable reports and correspondence.
Maintains records and files.
Makes referrals to the appropriate agency within the justice system such as pre-judicial
conference, youth and family services, etc., for providing assistance to the client.
EDUCATION
Possession of a master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
EXPERIENCE
One year of professional social work experience in a social work service agency or program, which
shall have included individual, family and group counseling.
KNOWLEDGE
Wide knowledge of modern sociological and psychological principles and practices.
Of the problems encountered in collecting and analyzing the factual information needed in passing
upon individual cases, drawing sound social conclusions therefrom and basing appropriate actions
thereon.
Of social case work methods and terminology. Of the New Jersey Justice System.
Of the organization, objectives and activities of varied types of public and private social agencies
in New Jersey.
Of individual and group behavior.
Of individual and community health and social problems.
Of the establishment and maintenance of case work and other records and files.
ABILITY
Ability to read, write, speak and understand English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
To analyze, comprehend and interpret data in the conduction of supportive group, individual and
adjunctive activity therapies.
To establish and maintain a professional relationship with clients, affected parties and staff.
To analyze laws, rules, regulations and procedures and apply them with reasonable consistency to
individual cases.
To organize assigned social work and develop effective work methods.
To collect and make correct appraisals of the factual information and social relationships of
individuals, families and groups.
To learn quickly the significant facts in an individual or family situation and to weigh and evaluate
such facts.
To plan and execute programs for social readjustments on the basis of findings,
To maintain needed records and files.
Good health and freedom from disabling physical and mental defects which would impair the
proper performance of the required duties or which might endanger the health and safety
of oneself or others.
