NJ Civil Service Navigator

FAMILY AND NEIGHBORHOOD COUNSELOR

Code: 01802 Local Non-Competitive

Because Family and Neighborhood Counselor is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.

It asks for a bachelor's degree.

How to apply

This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.

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Where this title is used

Family and Neighborhood Counselor is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

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Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, provides counseling and assistance to individuals and families in solving problems that affect the unity and welfare of the family and/or neighborhood; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

  • Assists and counsels individuals/families in solving problems which may have otherwise resulted in the filing of a formal criminal complaint.
  • Through the use of counseling techniques, attempts to assist individuals/families to determine the cause of disagreement.
  • Attempts to assist individuals/families in arriving at a solution to their domestic and social behavioral problems.
  • Refers clients to other agencies for further assistance where warranted.
  • Analyzes relationships of individuals and family members in the neighborhood to devise a solution to domestic and social behavioral problems.
  • Participates in group sessions where parties involved try to resolve problems through open, frank discussions.
  • Prepares reports containing background, findings, and recommendations.
  • Consults with court officials on cases referred to them.
  • Establishes and maintains working relationships with neighborhood organizations.
  • Establishes and maintains necessary files and records.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, or Social Work.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of laws and procedures relating to family counseling work.
  • Knowledge of courts and of causes and existing factors tending to social maladjustments.
  • Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret laws, rules, regulations, standards, and procedures relating to family counseling work, and to apply them to specific cases.
  • Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data relating to family counseling work.
  • Ability to work harmoniously with associates and that part of the public concerned with family counseling work.
  • Ability to apply theories to practical problems of study, recreation, and spiritual welfare for clients as judged from their previous education and employment.
  • Ability to establish and maintain essential records and files.
  • Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.