This is social work at the full performance level within the assigned specialty. An employee in this class performs a variety of counseling, referral, placement and/or adoptive functions related to services for children and youth, adults and the aging, the homeless, or services to incarcerated individuals. Work includes performing case management activities, assessing client and family needs, developing an appropriate service and/or treatment plan, developing group activities, providing on-going counseling and referral services and/or determining appropriate placement actions. Work in this class differs from the next lower level in that employees are assigned the more complex cases requiring them to perform social service functions of an advanced nature involving relatively independent judgement and a significant understanding and application of professional principles and departmental standards. Contact with individuals, their families, representatives of various private and public welfare agencies, representatives of professional and community groups, and the general public is of major significance to the work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a technical superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

• The position must be responsible for full performance level counseling, referral, placement and/or adoptive functions related to services for children and youth, adults and the aging, the homeless, or services to incarcerated individuals.
• The position must be located in the Department of Human Services, Office of Services to Homeless and Adults or the Philadelphia Prisons.

BILINGUAL SPECIALTY

Performs the duties shown below in one of the specialty areas with members of the English language speaking and designated non-English language speaking populations.

CHILDREN AND ADULT SERVICES SPECIALTY

Performs a variety of counseling, referral, placement and/or adoptive services for assigned cases within respective program; conducts interviews with individuals requiring agency services including requests for temporary shelter, placement of children or unusual and difficult social service cases; may make home visits to families of emotionally disturbed and/or problem children; elicits data to ascertain nature and extent of complaint, severity of problems, potential danger to individual, and/or facts and circumstances relevant to requests; reviews case record for client's and family's profile, socio-economic history, previous treatment and service experiences, and/or special problems and family history, financial and social problems, individual perspectives and perceptions, attitudes and behavior and other factors; observes interactions of client, family members and peers; makes immediate decision as to eligibility for departmental services; obtains and evaluates social information concerning families with unusual or chronic social service problems; contacts professionals and members of community to discuss history of case and service needs.

Develops service plan to provide a variety of social services referrals and to define goals and objective; determines need for social, behavioral, medical and/or psychological services; provides individual or family counseling as needed; makes referrals to a variety of support agencies; monitors individual and family progress, cooperation, and acceptance of services.

Plans for the appropriate placement of individuals in a temporary or permanent care program, facility or institution; interviews prospective applicants, clients and providers; orients participants in program's goals and objectives, roles and responsibilities of various parties, and legal ramifications; arranges for any medical or psychiatric treatment prior to placement.

Monitors and evaluates activities of agencies contracted to provide a variety of social services; visits and inspects direct placement to evaluate progress, and/or problems of client; prepares and discusses written evaluations of agency; finds alternative placement for client when warranted; recommends services provided to client by agency be terminated.

Initiates court action when appropriate and prepares necessary work.

Attends periodic staff and personal conferences; confers with superior on difficult problems; prepares reports and correspondence; keeps records of all assigned cases.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles, practices and techniques of social work as applied to the area of specialization.
• the laws, regulations and rules governing the provision of social services to individuals within area of specialization.
• philosophy and objectives underlying social services within area of specialization.
• functions and resources of public and private welfare and related agencies in area of specialization.
• social factors which contribute to attitudes and behaviors common to abandoned, neglected and/or dependent individuals. casework principles, practices and techniques within area of specialization.
• the causes of social, environmental, economic and psychological factors which necessitate the placement or
• institutionalization of children and adults.

• observe, recognize, analyze and report on individual's behavioral, attitudinal, emotional and social problems, and develop a plan for their resolution.
• evaluate program quality and effectiveness as they relate to an individual's or a group's needs, recommending modifications when appropriate.
• establish rapport and cooperative relationships, and employ tact and judgment with individuals with social and emotional problems.
• plan and implement group activities based on the assessed needs of participants.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private social service officials, representatives of community organizations, associates and the general public.
• prepare a variety of written reports.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• speak, read and write in a specified non-English language and in English fluently for the Bilingual Specialty.

EDUCATION

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.

AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two years of social work experience.

AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

One year of social work experience above the trainee level in the area of specialization.

OR


Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department which has included the specific experience and a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY

Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English language.

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class, if required by work assignment.

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Social Worker 2.

PAY RANGE: EP18
Latest Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 9/1996 ; Ad Board - 11/1996

This is not a licensed social worker position.