SOCIAL WORKER TRAINEE
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a supervisory officer in a state department, hospital, training school, agency or research unit, as trainee and productive worker, conducts various social investigations involving the collection, analysis, and recording of significant social facts, draws sound conclusions and takes appropriate action; does related work 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.
60050C - 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:
As trainee and productive worker:
Assists in the performance of services such as: placement of children in foster and adoptive homes; screening for eligibility for public assistance; counseling of the mentally and physically ill in hospitals; aiding of prisoners with social problems; counseling of the visually handicapped; providing services for delinquent and developmentally disabled children in institutions; assumes responsibility for the assignment of institutionalized adults in alternate care facilities.
Conducts periodic visits within an assigned area to obtain social, economic, personal and other data necessary to formulate a plan of action.
Aids in the acquisition of required medical care and services.
Attempts to gain the cooperation of the client and the client's family.
Provides advice to clients concerning school problems, finances, recreation, church activities, health and family relationships.
As required, visits schools, clinics, hospitals, banks, social and welfare agencies, relatives, physicians, pastors, tradesmen, and others to collect information required in preparing recommendations for social, court, and other actions.
Visits prospective employers and others to develop an understanding of the problems of individual clients, and to alleviate potential and actual environmental friction.
Prepares and maintains accurate case histories.
Prepares reports containing findings and recommendations.
Prepares routine correspondence as required.
Maintains essential records and files.
May 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 relevant to the position.
NOTE: Please refer to the Advancement section located at the bottom of this title specification for a comprehensive list of approved journeyman titles connected to this trainee title. Experience must be related to the journeyman title associated with the position.
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:
Appointee 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 the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Ability to read and interpret information on modern social work theory, standards, objectives, and methods after a period of training.
Ability to read and interpret current social work literature.
Ability to understand and become familiar with the social and economic problems of disadvantaged persons.
Ability to read, interpret and apply knowledge of the welfare laws of New Jersey after a period of training.
Ability to become familiar with the public and private social welfare, health, and educational agencies and organizations in New Jersey, and to learn to utilize their services in the course of official duties.
Ability to analyze, comprehend, interpret, and apply basic laws, rules, regulations and procedures to specific situations.
Ability to organize assigned social work and develop effective work methods.
Ability to work effectively with associates, families, individuals, and groups.
Ability to learn to collect and make appraisals of factual information and the social relationships of individuals and families, to learn the essential and significant facts in an individual or family situation, to weigh and evaluate such facts, and to take appropriate action.
Ability to comprehend the problems of persons who are physically and/or emotionally maladjusted or dependent, or who are confined in an institution.
Ability to profit by an in-service training program.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate case histories and reports.
Ability to act as a witness in court.
Ability to prepare correspondence in accordance with established procedures.
Ability to maintain essential records and files.
Ability to learn 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 the 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 the 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.
ADVANCEMENT
Appointees who successfully complete the twelve-month training period will be eligible for advancement to the title, Social Worker 2 and Social Worker 2, Corrections in accordance with Department of Personnel procedures.
The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to a title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
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:
