Social Worker

Provides social work services to clients and families to include case management, psychosocial and/or needs assessments. Develops client/family individualized service plans and monitors progress. Utilizes community resources to assist clients and their families and provides client/family education, training and advocacy.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a job classification within the Social Services job family. This classification is distinguished from other social services classes due to the social work functions and services provided to clients. This classification performs case management, psychosocial and/or needs assessments, develops client service plans and accesses community resources to assist clients. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Conducts client psychosocial and/or needs assessment to obtain maximum benefit from all available sources.
• Develops and implements client goals and monitors progress. Conducts periodic and final assessments to determine progress, client barriers, follow-up needs, and client outcomes.
• Provides crisis intervention to clients to resolve crisis, prevent future crisis, and promote progress toward self-sufficiency.
• Provides short or long-term case management and service coordination in manners and settings conducive to best client outcomes. Utilizes community resources to assist client in learning to live as a self-sufficient member of the community, including, but not limited to, medical resources, local, state and federal agencies, community-based agencies, and other resources.
• Participates in community collaboration for resource development and elimination of duplication of services. Serves as member of community groups advocating for client populations and needs.
• Provides client education, training, and advocacy.
• Maintains current knowledge about resource availability, service costs and budgetary parameters, and remains fiscally responsible in carrying out all case management functions and activities.
• Participates in evaluative and quality assurance activities designed to monitor the appropriateness and effectiveness of both the service delivery system in which case management operates as well as the case manager's own case management services. Ensures full professional accountability. Uses evidence based practices and remains current with standards of profession.
• Documents case worker and compiles data/information in accordance with professional standards and policies.
• Participates and coordinates in case reviews involving client, attorney, and service providers.
• Provides information, referral, and linkage services to all community residents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Master's degree in Social Work AND two (2) years social work experience counseling individuals in crisis/trauma situations.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Theoretical constructs of human development and social work theory and practices.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Local social services, organizations and programs and the resources available.
• Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.
• Requirements for categorical assistance programs.
• Psychosocial factors impacted by stressors, illness and disability and intervention techniques.
• Federal, State and Local program laws and requirements.
• Financial resources available to clients.
• Child welfare policies and practices.
• Domestic violence dynamics.
• Mental health diagnoses.
• Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and a variety of software packages.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

• Counseling and providing crisis and other assistance to clients.
• Assessing the medical, psychosocial, and environmental status of clients.
• Sourcing types of counseling, social service provider, and other services indicated for clients.
• Referring clients to appropriate social services organizations and programs.
• Crisis intervention and counseling techniques used in trauma, grief, or crisis situations.
• Navigating services for clients.
• Planning and organizing social service programs and activities.
• Application of social work ethical principles.
• Interviewing and obtaining information from clients and other sources.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication.

• Apply social work and counseling theory, practice, and procedures.
• Utilize approaches to work with individuals experiencing crises and economic stress.
• Work effectively and courteously under high-pressure circumstances.
• Prepare accurate and complete records and reports.
• Demonstrate consistent, sound, and mature judgment in the effective and efficient use of human and financial resources.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well and meet timelines.
• Communicate effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Department: Community Legal Services/Office of Parental Representation
 

Location: 1700 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas 78701 

Criminal, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.


This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.