Social Worker (Div. Children & Family)

Government of the Virgin Islands

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Unit Administrator, District Manager or designee, this is intensive professional level social work responsible for investigating and conducting assessments of abuse, neglect, and the safety of vulnerable individuals and families. An employee at this level receives minimal supervision and utilizes social work training and expertise to organize case and service planning, and confers with supervisor when making critical safety decisions. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements. This position also includes 10 percent hazardous pay.

Requirements

B.S.W. and the possession of a current license to practice social work in US Virgin Islands.
OR B.A. in Sociology, Psychology, and Anthropology and the possession of a current license to practice social work in the US Virgin Islands.
OR B.A. in social sciences and two (2) years social work experience plus possession of a current license to practice social work in the US Virgin Islands.
Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of social work, rehabilitation counseling and the social work concepts and theories which are guides for their use.
Knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior and the cultural and psychological implications of family disunity, unemployment, vocational rehabilitation, illness, delinquency, functional illiteracy etc.
Knowledge of human developmental theory and psycho-social treatment process.
Knowledge of rehabilitation counseling theories, mission and practices.
Knowledge of the CPS and APS processes to effectively assess for the safety of children, disabled adults and the elderly.
Ability to elicit, evaluate and interpret facts and policies; diagnose problems, analyze medical and vocational data; make sound decisions and present ideas and information clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
Ability to supervise less experienced staff when required.
Ability to establish and effective counseling relationship with clients and all those contacted during the course of work.
Ability to adequately assess client needs, prepare service plans and review cases in a timely manner in order to ensure delivery of services and clearly state treatment plan and objectives for client.
Ability to use community resources effectively and appropriately as part of the overall service delivery.
Ability to utilize new concepts and apply skills adequately to serve clients.
Ability to effectively write and present oral reports that are concise and accurate.
Ability to attend and prepare for meetings/conferences on a regular basis.
Ability to multitask and participate as a part of a multidisciplinary team to assist in working with children and families and collaborate to make informed decisions.
Ability to engage, assess, and intervene in a manner that is proficient with licensed social worker standards.

Responsibilities

Conducts and completes child maltreatment investigations in a timely manner.
Keeps factual and timely formal records through the use of computer based and other information systems.
Assumes a leadership role in the planning and provision of comprehensive psychological, rehabilitative and ameliorative services to complex cases involving multiple and complicated social problems, and physically and mentally handicapping conditions.
Provides competent individual, family and group treatment services with a minimum of supervisory contact and serves as consultant to less experienced staff.
Assists in needs assessment, designing and implementation of staff training relative to the provision of treatment and vocational rehabilitation services to most complex departmental cases.
Conducts assessments and makes clinical decisions in partnership with a supervisor in a fast-paced, but supportive environment.
Identifies strengths, needs, and engages the family in a strength-based assessment process to include but not limited to taking decisive and appropriate actions when a vulnerable person needs protection, analyzing complex information, employing crisis intervention and early intervention services and strategies.
Documents, drafts court reports, completes face to face contacts, drafts collateral contacts, and completes referrals.
Assesses for dangers, risk, complicating factors, and other dynamics that impact the safety and welfare of children in their homes.
Interprets and disseminates laws and regulations affecting the client population served to the clients and public.
Participates in the development and administration of programs in the division.
Assists in the initial and on-going orientation/training for all clients' departmental staff and others as designated.
Participates where required, in consulting with federal and local officials relative to funding, legislative, inter- agency and other pertinent matters.
Prepares and maintains comprehensive case records on each client in accordance with local and federal standards.
Performs other related work as required.