DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WORK SERVICES

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, plans, develops, organizes, administers, coordinates, and directs all social work services programs and activities for an agency or local jurisdiction in accord with accepted professional social work practices; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, develops, and directs the Social Work Services Unit.
• Attends evaluative clinics.
• Directs and has charge of the work performed by the social work services staff.
• Establishes and sees that plans for inservice training of social work services staff are carried out.
• Maintains liaison with professional and lay groups.
• Supervises the work involved in planning individual programs of social work.
• Represents the social work services unit in staff meetings with agency or jurisdiction administrative staff, and on all administrative committees.
• Directs or assigns the completion of statistics for the unit.
• Prepares, summarizes, and reports on the functioning of the unit to superiors.
• Develops directives to staff to keep them informed of agency and unit procedures.
• Has responsibility to modify, delete, refine, and introduce manual operating procedures in addition to maintaining a current unit operating manual.
• Establishes and maintains contact with various community health and welfare agencies.
• Responds to the most complex problems and inquiries relevant to the unit.
• Gives assignments and instructions to employees.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of reports.
• Prepares the initial unit budget request.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of records and files.
• 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 Master's degree in Social Work.

Experience

Five (5) years of supervisory or administrative social work experience involved in assessing or identifying social problems of clients, determining their needs, and planning and carrying out treatment plans designed to meet those needs.

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 AND ABILITY

Knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices of social work.

Knowledge of office management practice.

Knowledge of the use of appropriate specialized therapeutic interventions to maintain physical and/or mental health, and to achieve physical and/or mental rehabilitation of patients.

Ability to communicate effectively with and motivate people of widely varying background, interests, and abilities.

Ability to observe, recognize, and interpret a situation's conformity to regulation.

Ability to draw conclusions from analysis of facts and make decisions.

Ability to evaluate the degree to which specific social work service activities and overall functions are meeting rehabilitative goals and objectives.

Ability to develop methods and procedures to handle identified obstacles to program functioning.

Ability to establish and maintain records and files.

Ability to give assignments and instructions to employees.

Ability to confer with key staff and other interested persons on problems, budgeting, standards, social work techniques, and related problems.

Ability to take and maintain a firm stand when differences of opinion and interpretation arise and work harmoniously with subordinates, associates, and superior officers.

Ability 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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 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 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.