SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANT

 DEFINITION:

 Under direction, performs paraprofessional work involved in 
 the operations of a social service program; gathers and 
 records significant social, financial, and pertinent information
 about their clients and/or implements selected aspects of the 
 program; 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.

 04634 - 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:

 Interviews clients and gathers necessary information.

 Gathers financial and/or medical information from client
 or relatives.

 Performs supportive social services for clients and establishes
 rapport and proper communication with them.

 Makes field visits to investigate and gather information on
 clients' situations necessary to determine plan of service.

 Aids in projects and surveys for the agency and gathers 
 other routine data as needed.

 Informs superiors of unusual situations or conditions.

 Organizes groups and activities for social, recreation, and
 education purposes.

 Observes clients' behavior and participates during group 
 social therapy and activity sessions.

 Aids the family and client in resolving problems.

 Conducts various activities with program participants.

 Contacts and maintains cooperative relationships with 
 other social agencies in the community.

 Aids in maintaining records and files.

 Accompanies clients to other agencies and institutions.

 Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions, and
 recommendations.

 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

 EDUCATION:
 
 Satisfactory completion of at least sixty (60) semester hour 
 credits at an accredited college or university.

 NOTE:  Applicants who do not meet the education requirement
 may substitute experience in a social service, health, or community
 agency or in social work having responsibility for gathering
 social information from clients, determining  their needs, and
 planning and/or implementing plans geared to the individual needs
 on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits
 being equal to one (1) year of experience.

 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 sociological and psychological principles and
 theories.

 Knowledge of individual and group behavior.

 Knowledge of individual and community health problems.

 Knowledge of the objective and activities of social agencies.

 Knowledge of the keeping of records and files.

 Knowledge of problems encountered, purpose, and practices
 of social agencies.

 Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret rules, regulations,
 policies, procedures, and objectives of the organization.

 Ability to work harmoniously with associates, families,
 individuals, and social organizations.

 Ability to collect and make correct appraisals of factual
 information and social relationships of individuals and families.

 Ability to learn quickly the significant facts in an individual
 or family situation and to weigh and evaluate such facts.

 Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative
 reports.

 Ability to maintain records and files.

 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, or communicate
 in English sufficiently to perform the 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 with or without
 reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be 
 made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, 
 such persons may not be eligible.

This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which
are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
04623
L
C
  
N/A
12
-
04634
Bilingual In Spanish And English
L
C
  
N/A
12
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

10/08/1997