FAMILY SERVICE WORKER DEFINITION:
Under direction, performs field and office work involved in aiding individuals/families having problems with family relationships or other aspects of their social functioning which adversely affect their family unit or personal lives, and in determining financial eligibility for public assistance programs; does other related duties 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.
06233 - 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:
Analyzes information on forms, applications, and other financial assistance documents for completeness and accuracy during the eligibility process.
Identifies possible financial resources for applicants when appropriate, provides applicants with information necessary for them to seek benefits from other agencies such as the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, and State Employment Service.
Counsels and assists families/individuals who require assistance in planning and managing their affairs.
Responds to complaints regarding various social conditions and financial eligibility, and conducts investigations to resolve complaints.
Performs technical, financial work involved in eligibility determinations, validating public assistance applications, and redetermining financial assistance eligibility.
Verifies and determines entitlement and other required data.
Performs field and office work involved in determining economic needs of clients and their eligibility for various financial and other public assistance programs.
Collects, analyzes, and records data and information to be utilized to identify social service needs.
May assist in preparing summaries of cases involved in hearings, and attends hearings.
Evaluates client's need for social services, and provides referrals to other agencies for assistance in financial budgeting, money management, locating housing, homemaker's assistance, job training, and day care, services.
Works with families where disturbances in family relationships exist, contacts relatives or other agencies when protective services for aged and/or disabled clients or children are required, and assists in development of corrective plans.
Conveys information to the general public.
Counsels clients pertaining to various aspects of public assistance and related programs.
Consults with supervisor to discuss and seek assistance in resolving difficult/complex client eligibility and social problems.
Collaborates with appropriate staff members to plan and carry out social services for clients.
Prepares or dictates reports for case entries, and prepares social case histories.
Maintains liaison with community, religious, and civil organizations and other social agencies.
Maintains records and files.
Will 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.
Four (4) years of professional experience in gathering social and other information from clients, determining their needs, and planning and carrying out a prescribed treatment plan or service and referral program designed to meet needs of individual clients, OR in examining, adjusting, determining, reconsidering, or authorizing eligibility or entitlement for cash awards or benefits in a public or private agency such as a welfare board or agency, Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, a social service agency, or similar agency or organization, OR in coordinating a public welfare program(s) or in the review, analysis, evaluation, revision, and implementation of such program(s).
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree 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 essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of principles and practices of social work.
Ability to follow approved methods for obtaining information regarding finances, property ownership, and financial resources, after a period of training.
Ability to understand the social, economic, and cultural problems of disadvantaged persons.
Ability to access and utilize appropriate state and local resource agencies.
Ability to provide advice/assistance in the functions, programs, and services provided by a social service agency, after a period of training.
Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret welfare laws, rules, regulations, and procedures and apply them to individual cases.
Ability to work harmoniously with associates, clients, and others.
Ability to analyze and evaluate financial and other case information. Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
Ability to counsel and assist clients and their families.
Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate informative reports and case histories and summaries.
Ability to maintain records and files.
Ability to analyze, explain, and provide assistance in the completion of various financial assistance forms and applications.
Ability to evaluate client social service needs and provide appropriate referrals.
Ability respond to complaints and conduct investigations.
Ability to identify and recommend alternate financial resources.
Ability 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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 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.
