SENIOR CASEWORKER

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for providing social work services for individuals, including children, families and/or caregivers to assist them with their economic, emotional, social and environmental difficulties by making the necessary service referrals to address the social problems identified throughout the course of a case. The position differs from Caseworker in that, through training and experience, the Senior Caseworker handles more complex problems and situations with less direct supervision, and the Senior Caseworker may provide supervision over Caseworkers. The work is performed under the general supervision of a Case Supervisor-Grade B with extensive mandated training provided through the State and the agency. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate staff. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

Investigates reports of abuse or neglect of children or adults and assesses the safety of the environment and provides the necessary interventions, such as placement out of the home, or Family Court when warranted;

Participates in on call duties;

Provides social work counseling to motivate individuals, families and children to increase their capacity and confidence in their ability to solve problems and make better choices for themselves and/or family;

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

Reviews existing case records for available information for use in formulating a plan of treatment;

Oversees the development of service plans with parents, relatives and/or foster parents for the care and reunification of the children with their parents;

Make the necessary community service referrals on behalf of the individuals, children and families assigned;

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

Conducts service plan reviews with individuals, families, and service providers to update the service goals and report progress;

Establishes a relationship with individuals and families to persuade them to avail themselves of recommended social services;

Recruits and trains prospective foster and adoptive parents;

Conducts home study evaluations to include certification and placement recommendations of prospective foster boarding homes, adoptive homes and/or relative homes;

Assesses the placement needs of children and determines whether a child’s needs can best be met in a foster home, group home, or an institution and makes the referral on their behalf;

May identify and place children in adoptive homes and assists them through the adoption process by making service referrals and providing social work counseling until finalization;

Senior Caseworker - cont. 2

Visits the homes of parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, family daycare providers, institutions or other agencies and coordinates the delivery of service in accordance with rules and regulations;

Petitions, testifies, and reports to Family Court;

Maintains professional relationships with various community agencies to which individuals and families can be referred for services;

Works closely with service providers such as therapists, homemakers, Public Health Nurses and any others deemed by the incumbent as pertinent to the case;

Provides casework counseling in a number of areas including disability benefits, medical benefits, available community services, financial management and parenting in an effort to guide them through the system;

Retrieves data in a state wide computer system;

Conducts case history searches by retrieving data stored in a State wide computer system;

Prepares a variety of reports, case notes, service plans, and court summaries on a personal computer;

May supervise a number of subordinate employees in formulating service plans, assess clients progress and to ensure proper procedures are being followed;

May train new staff and periodically evaluate performance;

Maintains cooperative relationships with Family Court, schools, and various community service agencies including performing liaison services for contract providers.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of State and Federal laws and rules governing Social Service programs;

Good knowledge of community service agencies and programs;

Good knowledge of interviewing techniques and practices;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;

Ability to counsel individuals in the areas of economic, social, emotional and vocational problems;

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs;

Ability to develop and implement a service plan for individuals, children and/or families;

Ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others;

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

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

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 Bachelor’s degree or higher and two (2) years of experience in social casework with a public or private social agency.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license appropriate to the vehicles operated.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Classification - Category 2