Jurisdiction: Cortland County

Jurisdictional Class: Competitive

Adopted: 10/20/05

Amended: 6/19/09; 4/22/10

PUBLIC HEALTH SOCIAL WORKER

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for performing professional clinical and non-clinical social work activities in a public health setting. The duties and responsibilities vary according to assignment, but generally the incumbent identifies, assesses and manages a variety of individual and family social problems related to illness and disability. The incumbent generally provides direct social casework services to individuals and families including ongoing individual, group and/or family psychotherapy but may specialize in a specific area of public health such as hospice, maternal and infant health and/or communicable diseases. The work is performed under the administrative supervision of a higher level social worker or administrator. The work may be performed under the clinical supervision of a higher level social worker. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

Conducts individual and family intakes and assessments and provides preliminary mental health diagnoses;

Develops treatment plan to address an individual’s or family’s psychosocial needs;

Provides ongoing individual, group and family psychotherapy;

Provides crisis intervention services to individuals and families;

Petitions, testifies, and reports to Family Court as required;

Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, case notes, service plans and court summaries;

Gathers information regarding individuals and families by interviewing neighbors, family members, school personnel, physicians and any others familiar with the family;

Makes community service referrals on behalf of the individuals and families assigned;

Monitors and reviews service plans with individuals and families by maintaining on-going contact with service providers and routinely updates supervisor of progress;

Provides non-clinical social work services to individuals and families including counseling regarding disability benefits, medical benefits, available community services, financial management and parenting;

Attends staff meetings, training sessions and workshops on social work issues.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of modern Public Health social work principles and practices;

Good knowledge of federal, state and local laws related to the provision of social work services;

Good knowledge of modern principles and practices related to individual, group and family psychotherapy;

Good knowledge of the principles and practices related to conducting psychosocial intakes and assessments;

Working knowledge of community service agencies and programs;

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Ability to conduct psychosocial intakes and assessments;

Ability to provide individual, group and/or family psychotherapy;

Ability to develop and implement a mental health treatment plan for individuals and families;

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Ability to organize and maintain accurate records and files;

Ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records and reports;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Master’s degree or higher in social work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Possession of a current license as a “licensed master social worker” issued by the New York State Department of Education.

2. Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license is required. Failure to maintain a NYS driver’s license including driving privileges throughout employment will result in disciplinary action or dismissal.

NOTE: The minimum qualifications for this position are mandated under Article 154 of New York State Education Law.