Social Worker - Social And Human Services

State of Connecticut • Windsor, CT

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB), is seeking a Social Worker to provide intensive supportive social casework services to an assigned caseload of individuals and families. BESB supports people who are blind or visually impaired from early childhood through adulthood through specialized instruction, advocacy, and coordinated services that promote independence and lifelong success.

The position is based in Windsor, Connecticut, and is full-time at 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Frequent travel throughout the state is required. The Social Worker develops and coordinates individualized service plans, connects clients with BESB and community resources, oversees case management, tracks client progress, maintains accurate and confidential records, provides crisis support, and collaborates with families, providers, and community partners.

The role requires a master’s degree in social work or a closely related field and one year of qualifying experience, or a bachelor’s degree in social work or a closely related field and two years of qualifying experience. Qualifying experience involves self-directed case management and counseling to sustain or restore client functioning, including professional interviewing, skilled counseling for an assigned caseload, and assessment of basic client needs through ongoing observation, intervention, and evaluation. Successful completion of the Social Worker Trainee program may substitute for the general experience for state employees. Candidates must complete all degree requirements before appointment, and incumbents must maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and travel. Incumbents may be required to speak a foreign language; in the Department of Aging and Disability Services, they may be required to communicate fluently in American Sign Language.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in social work or a closely related field and one year of experience using case management techniques and counseling to sustain or restore client functioning; or a bachelor’s degree in social work or a closely related field and two years of such experience.
• Qualifying experience must include professional interviewing techniques, skilled counseling to an assigned client caseload, and assessment of basic client needs through continuing personal observation during visits, intervention, and evaluation.
• Closely related fields include applied sociology, child development, child welfare, clinical psychology, counseling, human development and family studies, human service, marriage and family therapy, nursing, social and/or human services, education, and criminal justice.
• State employees may substitute successful completion of the Social Worker Trainee program for the general experience requirement.
• Candidates must complete all degree requirements before appointment.
• Incumbents must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.
• Incumbents are required to travel.
• Incumbents may be required to speak a foreign language; ADS incumbents may be required to communicate fluently in American Sign Language.
• Considerable knowledge of professional social work principles, techniques, and methods; factors influencing the attitudes and behavior of individuals and families; and community resources available to individuals and families.
• Considerable interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply social work policies and prepare clear, concise reports and case histories.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting individuals with visual impairments or blindness, or working in disability-related programs.
• Experience coordinating services across multiple providers, agencies, or community resources.
• Experience maintaining accurate case records and documentation in accordance with agency standards.
• Experience providing crisis intervention or developing safety and support plans.
• Experience facilitating referrals and monitoring follow-through with recommended services.
• Experience communicating professionally with clients, families, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing confidential information in compliance with privacy and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate individualized service plans to support independent living.
• Connect clients with BESB programs and community-based resources.
• Provide case management oversight and track client progress.
• Maintain accurate documentation in accordance with agency requirements.
• Deliver crisis support and assist with developing safety or support plans when needed.
• Collaborate with families, service providers, and community partners to support high-quality service delivery.
• Manage confidential information in compliance with privacy and state regulatory standards.
• Obtain medical, physical, and social histories of clients to support service provision.
• Confer with clients, relatives, professional associates, and other social welfare agencies regarding case problems.
• Provide counseling services to an assigned caseload.
• Conduct and interpret investigations and professionally evaluate their significance.
• Seek employment, housing, financial assistance, and other services for clients.
• Prepare case histories, forms, and reports independently.
• Perform related duties as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits.
• Opportunities for leadership development, professional growth, and continued learning.
• A supportive environment that values collaboration, compassion, and work/life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level