Job Specification
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. 62152C - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. EXAMPLES OF WORK: Conducts investigations for abuse and/or neglect referrals within required timeframes; interviews children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other collateral parties to the family or institution; obtains medical care if necessary; assesses safety and risk for children and takes appropriate action; seeks court intervention, police assistance, or in severe situations, removal of the child from an unsafe environment in accordance with statute. Engages families, identifies underlying needs, arranges and facilitates Family Team Meetings as appropriate to foster the development of a case plan that identifies functional strengths, and builds on supports and service linkages for the family. Utilizes community resources; maintains cooperative relationships with public and private agencies; identifies service limitations. Provides information or testimony to juvenile courts and other committees as directed. Gathers evidence of abuse and neglect, prepares affidavits and depositions, takes or obtains pictures, medical reports, and other documentation, and contacts the local police or prosecutor's office when necessary. Provides documentation for the preparation of detailed affidavits and legal complaints for court review, acts as a witness in court, and provides testimony under oath. Processes children for adoption placement; prepares computation for adoption subsidy. Prepares forms and reports and other required paperwork. Visits the homes of clients and families to plan and implement corrective measures and approaches to problems of parent/child relationships. Provides assessment and treatment services to children and their families using agency and community resources. Prepares for and facilitates Family Team Meetings in accordance with the case practice model. Prepares for and facilitates parent/child visitation and sibling visitation as appropriate in accordance with the case practice model. Conducts investigations to identify problems leading to family disintegration; secures substitute care and temporary or permanent custody of children unable to remain at home. Recruits resource family/foster homes, screens and evaluates applicants for resource family/foster and adoption care and does child specific recruitment. May oversee activities of paraprofessional staff, students, and volunteers providing support services for children and their families. Assesses alleged abuse and neglect referrals through telephone or in-person interviews; evaluates seriousness of complaint and provides recommendation for assignment to a service unit. Lifts and carries children and secures them in car seats. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. The following duties may be assigned to non-caseload carrying positions, providing critical support to caseload carrying staff, offices, and families. These duties may include but are not limited to: Screens requests for Department of Children and Families' services including: reports of suspected abuse or neglect of children; requests for non-abuse or neglect-related child welfare services; general information and referral services. May be responsible for locating, identifying, developing and securing resources in the community and from other agencies for services to children and families. May be responsible for receiving, processing, and expediting requests for daycare services for children. Participates in statewide collection of data, tracking key process milestones and service outcomes, and regularly utilizes available data systems. Effectively represents the Department of Children and Families in matters involving juveniles before the New Jersey Superior Court's Family Practice Division, by providing policy interpretation and case planning information. Contributes to the development and/or implementation of an appropriate case plan. Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with court personnel and with other agencies and individuals who also work with children whose conduct brings them before court. Locates and secures resource homes for children in need of placement, and ensures the permanency, safety, and well-being of the children therein. Conducts follow-up visits to ensure the Resource Family home is complying with licensing standards. Refers families for services. Conducts training for Resource Family applicants and/or new Resource Families. Conducts home evaluations and processes relative care payments. Ensures the Local Office complies with all Child Placement Review Legislation/Statutes with clear and precise understanding and direction regarding the out of home placement aspects of the Department of Children and Families’ policies and procedures. 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 work, direct support counseling, guidance, or case management involving high risk child abuse and neglect or other problematic situations involving counseling services to clients with social, emotional, psychological, or behavioral problems including gathering and analyzing information, determining needs, and planning and/or carrying out treatment plans. 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 master’s degree in social work, psychology, guidance and counseling, divinity, marriage and family therapy, or other related behavioral science area. OR Possession of a bachelor’s degree and a supervised social work field placement of three hundred (300) hours through an accredited college or university performed in a social service agency. OR Four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience and a supervised social work field placement of three hundred (300) hours through an accredited college or university performed in a social service agency. 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 the economic, social, emotional, and other problems of abused and neglected family members. Knowledge of the signs of child abuse and neglect. Knowledge of the methods used to identify whether abuse or neglect has occurred. Knowledge of problems encountered in the investigation of child abuse referrals and other problematic family situations. Knowledge of counseling and interviewing techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to conduct investigations. Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data. Knowledge of the types of community services and resources likely to be used by the client population served. Knowledge of the assessment methods used to match children to Resource Families. Knowledge of the types of social service agencies likely to be of assistance in providing for the needs of those with social, emotional, psychological or behavioral problems. Ability to engage families in critical decision making and case planning. Ability to interpret and apply the Child Protective Services and child welfare policies and procedures. Ability to maintain client confidentiality including all documentation and information contained in the case record. Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations to specific situations. Ability to interact with the public in a professional manner. Ability to assess if it is necessary to place children in out-of-home settings. Ability to monitor the effectiveness and appropriateness of services provided to meet the needs of children and families. Ability to identify the need for other community resources and services and make appropriate referrals. Ability to collect and analyze data and evaluate the social relationships of individuals and families, and take appropriate action including providing services. Ability to conduct investigations of child abuse and child neglect under the direction of a supervisor. Ability to conduct safety assessments and prepare safety plans with supervisory consultation and guidance. Ability to identify risk factors through observation, interviews and collateral sources. Ability to conduct field visits and/or studies. Ability to document all case related activities. Ability to prepare case plans with families and appropriate interested parties. Ability to prepare case plans, case histories, records, and reports of investigations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to demonstrate strong writing and organizational skills. Ability to interview persons who may be emotionally upset or antagonistic, and obtain information needed for planning realistic goals for improved family and/or individual functioning. Ability to remain calm and decisive in emergency situations, make immediate and critical decisions based on agency policy and perform judiciously under pressure. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Ability to lift, carry, position and secure children in car seats. Ability to act as witness in court, and to prepare documents for court review. Ability to learn how 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 if they can perform the 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
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