SOCIAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Definition

Under the close supervision of a Social Work Supervisor or other supervisor, performs paraprofessional work involving the operation of a service program requiring specialized skills and program knowledge; gathers required social information about clients; assesses cases; implements preventive, rehabilitative and/or supportive treatment programs; performs other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Performs supportive social services such as interpreting agency policies and services to clients and establishing two-way communication between clients and the agency.
• Helps clients make use of public welfare and community agency services.
• Assists clients in the preparation of forms on a selective basis.
• Develops resource files on community facilities such as social agencies, clinics, recreational facilities, or nursing homes.
• Serves as a resource person regarding community problems.
• Makes home visits to obtain information about clients, which helps to determine and plan services.
• Assists clients in home management and resolves problems related to housing and children's schooling.
• Visits clients to discuss reason(s) for unkept appointments.
• Assists with projects and surveys within the agency and gathers other routine data as needed.
• Maintains adequate records and prepares brief reports and recommendations.
• Informs social worker of deteriorating physical conditions.
• Assists individuals with locating socially beneficial contacts based on their needs.
• Organizes groups of recipients to help develop programs for mutual economic and social self-help.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in a social service, health or community agency involving gathering social information from clients, identifying their needs, providing referrals for needed services, or planning and carrying out treatment plans for clients.

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 the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of physical and organizational aspects of the community.
• Knowledge of social and economic conditions in the community.
• Knowledge of welfare practices.
• Ability to establish relationships of mutual trust and respect with clients, especially with disadvantaged societal groups of varying ethnicities and social backgrounds.
• Ability to interpret and clarify agency policies.
• Ability to meet and work with agency staff and members of the community.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and make basic recommendations.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn how 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 the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as appropriate forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 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 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.

<b>NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual or multilingual skills.</b>

<b> - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL</b> Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

<b> - Bilingual in Arabic and English SPECIAL SKILL</b> Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Arabic, and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

<b> - Bilingual in Urdu and English SPECIAL SKILL</b> Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Urdu, and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

<b> - Multilingual in Hindi, Gujarati, and English SPECIAL SKILL</b> Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in Hindi, Gujarati, and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

Applicants who do not possess the indicated experience may substitute semester hour credits from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.