SOCIAL WORKER 2 DEFINITION:
Under the jurisdiction of a supervisory officer in a state department, hospital, training school, agency, or research unit, does the field and office work involved in conducting varied types of social investigations involving the collection, analysis, and recording of significant social facts, drawing sound conclusions, and basing appropriate action thereon; 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.
60052K - 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:
In the Division of Youth and Family Services:
Conducts periodic visits within an assigned area to mothers and children under the jurisdiction of the division.
Calculates family budgets and makes changes therein in accordance with division standards and regulations.
Notes significant conditions within the home and the family group to plan suitable courses of action.
Provides advice concerning school problems, finances, recreation, church activities, health, and family relationships.
Visits schools, clinics, hospitals, banks, social and welfare agencies, relatives, physicians, pastors, tradesman, and others to collect the social, economic, and other information required in preparing recommendations for social, court, and other action in preparation for foster home placements and adoptions.
Transports children by automobile, and may personally operate a motor vehicle used in transporting children to hospitals, clinics, physicians, dentists, psychologists, and other specialists for examination, check-ups and treatments.
Makes accurate and informative entries in case histories.
Acts as a witness in court and gives testimony under oath.
Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
Prepares statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Maintains essential records and files.
In a hospital, training school, or corrective or other institution:
Interviews newly admitted patients/clients and/or inmates and their families to obtain significant social, economic, and other information.
Prepares social histories for diagnostic purposes and as a basis for rehabilitation.
Cooperates with the family and others in providing or receiving information which will be helpful to the patient/client.
Visits the homes and families of patients/clients to obtain their cooperation with the comprehensive treatment program.
Visits prospective employers and others to develop an understanding of the problems of individual patients/clients, and to alleviate potential and actual environmental friction.
Prepares and maintains accurate case histories.
Prepares reports containing findings and recommendations.
Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
Maintains the necessary records and files.
In the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired:
Visits the homes and families of blind and newly blinded persons to obtain pertinent social, economic, educational, and social information.
Provides a detailed explanation of the program facilities and functions of the Commission; informs the client of the opportunities available for specialized and other education and training.
Assists the client and his family make the necessary social, emotional, and other adjustments.
Arranges training programs and support programs.
Prepares and maintains accurate case histories.
Prepares reports containing findings and recommendations.
Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
Maintains essential records and files.
In a research unit, and as directed:
Talks with patients/clients, their families, physicians, and others to obtain accurate significant social, economic, medical, and other information.
Prepares social histories for diagnostic and research purposes.
Visits local communities and the homes of patients/clients and talks with families, employers, police officers, teachers, parole and probation staff, physicians, and other persons to obtain needed background materials.
As required, holds individual and/or group conferences with assigned patients/clients and tape records such sessions.
In connection with specific research programs and projects, interviews patients/clients, their families, and others, compiles extensive data to utilize as a basis for preparing analyses and statistical summaries.
Prepares and maintains accurate case histories.
Prepares correspondence and factual reports, as required.
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.
Five (5) years of professional experience in social case work, which shall have involved the responsibility for gathering and analyzing social information from clients, the determination of their needs, and the planning and administration of treatment plans geared toward the needs of individual clients.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree in social work including or supplemented by a supervised field placement accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. OR
Possession of a master's degree in social work 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:
Knowledge of modern social work theory, standards, objectives and methods.
Knowledge of the problems likely to be encountered in doing social work with dependent, abandoned and/or neglected children and their mothers, with children who are to be or have been placed in foster homes or with adoptive parents, or with persons who are mentally and/or physically maladjusted or blind, and with patients/clients suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction.
Knowledge of modern social work literature, methods and terminology, and of current social, economic, and community problems.
Knowledge of the public and private social, welfare, health, and educational agencies and organizations.
Knowledge of modern psychology, and of the accepted principles of individual and group behavior.
Ability to analyze, comprehend, interpret and apply basic laws, rules, regulations, and procedures to specific situations.
Ability to organize assigned social work and related duties and develop effective work methods.
Ability to work effectively with associates, families, individuals and groups.
Ability to collect and make appraisals of factual information and the social relationships of individuals and families, to learn quickly the essential and significant facts in an individual or family situation, and to weigh and evaluate such facts.
Ability to comprehend the economic, social, and emotional problems of persons who are physically and/or emotionally maladjusted, dependent, or who are confined in an institution.
Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and authentic 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 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 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.
