Social Services Assistant - Non-Merit

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week
A Non-Merit vacancy exists in Family Services, Department of Health and Human Services.
Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring within this class may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You can attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

The role of Interagency Family Preservation (IFP) Family Support Worker is to support and assist the IFP Social Worker in the delivery of short-term, intensive, clinical and concrete services to families referred to the Program.
Job Function and Other Assigned Duties

• Responds to requests for information from administration.
• Maintains the order and confidentiality of all client records.
• Completes all required paperwork for each family, including but not limited to: flex funds, faxes, T-2 forms, safety plans, service plans, correspondence release of information. Documents contact notes with family and professionals.
• Attends all relevant trainings.
• The IFP Social Services Assistant, in conjunction with the IFP Social Worker, works as a team to provide intensive in-home intervention services to a varied caseload of families in which children are at immediate rick of out-of-home placement.
• Maintains regularly scheduled contact with the IFP Social Worker to share information, coordinate services, and determine case direction.
• Contacts IFP Supervisor regularly to share information and recommendations regarding case direction.
• Meets regularly with the IFP Social Worker and other treatment team members to share important information regarding the service plan. The service plan includes strategies for achieving short- and long-term goals and taking the necessary steps to reduce the risk.
• Serves as a role model by advocating, teaching, coaching, and modeling life skills; such as parenting, budgeting, household management, childhood development, anger management, etc.)
• Follows directions and assignments identified by supervisor.
• Attends and testifies in court, as needed.
• Identifies all family members and community resources (name, address, and phone numbers) and record in contact notes.
• Provides transportation as needed.
• Serves as a liaison in connection families to community services such as mental health providers, behavioral aides, financial assistance, hospitals, and public utilities to assure families are receiving the maximum benefits from all services. Provide information to families and encourage them to use community and emergency services.
• Determines whether concrete services should be provided in accordance with service plan in order to reduce risk to children (flex funds, bus tokes, medications, etc.)Along with the IFP Social Worker, creates initial and updates service plans with families.
• Assists in family interviews and gathering of pertinent background information, family history, assessing the strengths and risks of the family for completion of the MFRA.
• Reports all suspected incidents of child abuse, neglect, or sex abuse to the IFP supervisor immediately upon learning of them, as well as document in the contact notes
• Contacts other community agencies in order to coordinate accessible services.
• Along with the IFP Social Worker, makes referrals to other community providers and resources.
• Assesses the need for and arranges for emergencies such as CAN, food banks, shelters, and mental health providers
• Attends all relevant meetings. Prepares, participates, and assists in the presentations of case staffing, case studies during peer supervision meetings, case consultations, transfer meetings, FTDM, multidisciplinary meetings, school meetings, and supervision.
• Along with the IFP Social Worker and supervisor, asses the need for out-of-home placement of children.
• Responds in a timely way to any emergencies or crisis situation, especially when there is a safety concern.
• Assists the family in identifying and linking to community resources and other activities needed to carry out the service plan as well as to advocate
• Provides intensive in-home services to families and children at risk. Work with family on short- and long-term goals identified in the service plan to ensure the safety and well-being of the children and to improve family functioning.
• Contacts other community providers and FIP to gather information and consult on case to assess family.

• Demonstrates the skill in therapeutic relationship building with children and families.
• Demonstrates the skill in teaching, coaching and modeling parenting, home management, and budgeting skills when working with children and families.
• Plans leave appropriately and sets workload priorities in order to make efficient use of time.
• Utilizes therapeutic recreational activities with children and families to achieve the goals outlined on the service plan.
• Assesses risk and safety of children and informs IFP Social Worker and/or supervisor immediately of any situation that requires action to reduce risk.
• Attends and participates in regular supervision, unit meetings, team meetings, and other necessary and mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Completes accurately and on time the necessary paperwork such as contact notes, timesheets, monthly statistics, and other reports as needed.
• Meets and has regular phone contact with the IFP Social Worker and supervisor to share and coordinate services.
• Demonstrates the ability to assist families in accessing community services that is available to them.

High School Diploma and experience working in the field of human services.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Employees hired after July 1, 2022 are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.
Working Conditions

• Requires driving into areas in the County, which may be unfamiliar with community or streets
• Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions, which may result in injury.
  • Involves using one’s own personal vehicle to drive to and from home visits, to other community-based destinations, and occasionally to transport clients.
  • Requires driving into areas in the County, which may be unfamiliar with community or streets
  • Involves occasionally driving in high crime areas in the County
  • Clients may possess weapons, participate in drug or human trafficking, or suffer from very contagious illnesses such as Hep C, HIV+, etc.
• 
  Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings
  • Must visit families in their home, which can occasionally be infested with insects or vermin, may have unpleasant/foul odors, may have animals, may be overcrowded, and may be dirty
  • Work requires use of protective equipment such as gloves, mask, etc. when working in deplorable and/or unsanitary home conditions.
• Clients may possess weapons, participate in drug or human trafficking, or suffer from very contagious illnesses such as Hep C, HIV+, etc.
• Work requires use of protective equipment such as gloves, mask, etc. when working in deplorable and/or unsanitary home conditions.
• Must visit families in their home, which can occasionally be infested with insects or vermin, may have unpleasant/foul odors, may have animals, may be overcrowded, and may be dirty
• Involves occasionally driving in high crime areas in the County
• Involves using one’s own personal vehicle to drive to and from home visits, to other community-based destinations, and occasionally to transport clients.

Employment Benefits for Non-Merit or Non-Classified, Part-Time Employees
Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.
Smoke free workplace
All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.
Drug free workplace
Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.
Employee Assistance Program
Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.
Health Insurance
In order to qualify for health insurance benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance), part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.
Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:
Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.
Life Insurance
In order to qualify for life insurance benefits, part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.
Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.
Retirement
Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.
Paid Leave
Sick Leave - Monthly sick leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. No maximum on accrual. Accrued balance can be applied toward service credit at retirement.
Vacation Leave - Monthly vacation leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. Earnings increase after five, ten and fifteen years of service generally.
Holidays - Part-time 30 to 39 hour non-merit or non-classified employees will generally be paid for ten holidays per calendar year. Other part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees working 29 hours per week or less will receive two paid holidays per calendar year. These holidays are the Christmas holiday and the Independence Day holiday.
Bereavement Leave
Jury Leave
Military Leave
Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union
Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.
Direct Deposit
Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.
Deferred Compensation
Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.