Social Services Aide (MSS)

CalHR•Crescent City, CA

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Social Services Aide assists Social Workers by performing designated tasks that support improved family functioning and child and adult services. This paraprofessional role relieves Social Workers of routine tasks, which may include assessing clients in the In-Home Support Services program, teaching parenting and household management skills, and assisting with child and adult service programs. The position requires a lower level of skill and training than a professional Social Worker. Incumbents receive supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor or another higher-level supervisor or manager. The role serves clients including infirm or incapacitated older adults, families, people with disabilities, and children who have experienced abuse. Duties include needs assessments, client instruction and support, monitoring and reporting, referrals, transportation, recordkeeping, and coordination with professional staff and community resources. Depending on the vacancy, recruitment may fill full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education or experience pathways: 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of college, including 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units in social welfare, social or human services, sociology, or another social or behavioral science; or two years of full-time experience providing social services to disadvantaged adults or children in a public or private setting; or a combination of education and comparable experience equivalent to two years of full-time experience, including at least 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units in social or behavioral science.
Knowledge of basic rules and regulations regarding In-Home Support Services, child abuse reporting, and Welfare and Institutions Codes.
Knowledge of basic community resources useful to clients served.
Knowledge of acceptable housekeeping and homemaking standards, including methods, materials, and equipment used in general housekeeping.
Knowledge of basic methods and attitudes involved in in-home care for physically ill, handicapped, or disabled persons and adequate food preparation with limited kitchen equipment.
Ability to interview people to obtain information relevant to social services.
Ability to understand and accept differences in human behavior resulting from cultural, economic, or other forms of deprivation.
Ability to effectively instruct physically and mentally disabled adults in parenting and household skills.
Ability to work with physically and sexually abused children.
Ability to prepare basic written reports.
Ability to recognize and report specific indications of need for social services.
Ability to maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and County regulations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, outside organizations, and the public.
Essential personal qualifications include integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, ability to work cooperatively with others, and health consistent with performing assigned duties.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
Education used to meet minimum qualifications must be documented with transcripts; foreign transcripts require an evaluation indicating equivalent units.

Responsibilities

Maintain a routine caseload of infirm or incapacitated older adults receiving household services.
Conduct ongoing client needs assessments, verify needs with medical and health services providers, and present assessments to professional staff for approval.
Prepare narrative reports about clients’ conditions and services provided or recommended.
Enter case, client, and contact information into an automated system.
Refer clients to medical personnel or Social Workers as needed.
Train and counsel mentally ill and developmentally disabled parents in parenting and household management skills.
Teach families about nutritional meal preparation, budgeting, and household care.
Monitor the medical and psychological care of abused children.
Supervise visits between parents and children and report observations to a Social Worker.
Provide emergency child care.
Transport or accompany clients to service appointments or interviews.
Assist Social Workers in delivering child and adult social services.
Serve as a liaison between clients, professional staff, and community individuals and groups.
Help families use and learn about community resources, particularly medical, legal, and employment services.
Maintain records of work performed and perform related duties as assigned.
May testify in juvenile court hearings.