SOCIAL WORKER 1 CORRECTIONS

Definition

Under the direction of an appropriate supervisor in a state correctional institution or facility, assumes a caseload on an appropriate number of inmates, and provides counseling, assessment, program planning services to these individuals, as well as aid in informational and situational problem solving; may handle the more complex, difficult cases; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Interviews newly received inmates to obtain significant social, economic, and other contributory information.
• Based upon interviews, institutional data, and other pertinent information regarding prior and/or current needs, develops social histories for diagnostic, institutional adjustment, and overall rehabilitative purposes.
• Cooperates with the inmate and institution in planning, implementing, and evaluating participation in rehabilitative programs.
• Provides recourse to appropriate institutional and community resources in response to medical, psychological, or other significant inmate needs.
• In a community based facility provides resources for medical, psychological, or other significant client needs.
• In a correctional institution or a community based facility, develops and carries out programs wherein inmates can participate in counseling or group discussions.
• Participates in appropriate planning and programs which will assist and motivate the inmate toward a more constructive file style upon release.
• Prepares and maintains case histories for purposes of evaluation, and other follow-up support for inmates.
• In a community based facility, participates in appropriate planning and programs which will assist clients toward re-integration into the community.
• Provides referral services for purposes for identifying and assessing treatment needs of substance abusers.
• Prepares reports containing findings and recommendations regarding inmate needs.
• Prepares correspondence.
• Maintains necessary records and files.
• Submits statistical reports on services rendered.
• May 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 with a Master's degree in Social Work.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in social case work, which shall have involved the responsibility for gathering and analyzing social information from clients, the determination of their needs, and the planning and administration of treatment plans geared toward the needs of individual clients.

License

Appointee 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 modern social work theory, standards, objectives, and methods.
• Knowledge of accepted principles, methods, and techniques in dealing with individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of modern social work literature, methods, and terminology of current social, community, and correctional problems.
• Knowledge of public and private social welfare, health, and educational agencies and organizations.
• Knowledge of symptoms and behavior patterns which indicate substance abuse as well as knowledge of the availability of appropriate treatment resources.
• Knowledge of the problems likely to be encountered in doing social work with persons who are confined to a correctional institution or a community based facility, or who are suffering from alcohol/drug addictions.
• Ability to understand the overall mission of correctional programs.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret, and comply with rules, regulations, and procedures in a correctional institution.
• Ability to organize assigned caseload and related duties, and develop effective working methods.
• Ability to work effectively with a multi-disciplined staff in a correctional institution, or a community based facility.
• Ability to collect and assess factual information in such manner as to evaluate priorities of need.
• Ability to comprehend the social, emotional, medical, or other adjustment needs of inmates confined in a correctional setting or clients in a community based facility.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and authentic reports for purposes of evaluation or recommendation.
• Ability to prepare correspondence in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to maintain necessary 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

A Master's degree in Social Work including or supplemented by a supervised field placement accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may be substituted for the above stated experience requirements.