Human Services Associate (Family Services) - Non-Merit

Baltimore County; Towson (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Part time

Job summary

Baltimore County is seeking a Human Services Associate (Family Services) to provide needs assessment and advocacy for children and families facing mental health challenges or trauma. The role requires extensive collaboration with multiple partners including the Bureau of Behavioral Health, DJS, schools, hospitals, and SSA representatives.

Responsibilities include conducting interviews, developing safety plans, and coordinating services.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of human behavior, development, mental illness, substance abuse, and socioeconomic factors.
• Knowledge of counseling techniques, assessment, and basic treatment planning.
• Basic de-escalation techniques.
• Strong clinical and communication skills; ability to handle a heavy workload.

Responsibilities

• Interviews children and families to assess strengths, needs, and functioning.
• Composes safety plans and referrals to services as needed.
• Provide customer service to internal and external customers meeting DHS standards.
• Counsel and provide crisis intervention to help achieve action plan goals.
• Complete assigned work and summarize service documentation, petitions, and case notes.
• Maintain case records, plans, and documentation per COMAR and policies.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Case management

Crisis intervention

Education

Bachelor's degree in social or behavioral science

Job description

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Department of Health and Human Services, Family 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 in this classification may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

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.

The Human Services Associate/Child Welfare Advocate provides needs assessment and advocacy support for children and families facing intensive mental health challenges, behavioral issues, or trauma from sexual or physical abuse. Include participation in multi-disciplinary case reviews to plan associated support services and discuss the unique needs of the child and family. Requires regular and ongoing collaboration with numerous partners, including the Bureau of Behavioral Health, Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), Baltimore County Public Schools and other education systems, local hospitals, and Social Services Administration (SSA) representatives.

Examples of Duties

• Interviews children and families; identifies, assesses, and evaluates strengths and needs, family functioning, and receptiveness to services.
• Composes and compiles safety plans for services and evaluative reports; makes referrals and linkages to programs as needed.
• Provides customer service to both internal and external customers that meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department of Social Services.
• Provides counseling and crisis intervention services for individuals and families to assist the child and family in achieving the goals set in their action plan.
• Completes assigned work as outlined in a clear and consistent manner, including summarizing service documentation, court petitions, and case documentation.
• Maintains case records, case plans, and other required documentation in accordance with COMAR and local program policies and guidelines.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a social or behavioral science.

(Experience as described in essential duties may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required education).

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of the theories and principles of human behavior, growth and development, mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, and problems related to socioeconomic factors.
• Knowledge of modern individual, group, and family counseling techniques, diagnostic assessment, and basic treatment planning.
• Basic knowledge of de-escalation techniques.
• Strong clinical and communication skills, the ability to work independently, and the capacity to manage a complex workload, with data entry and tracking requirements.
• Ability to conduct individual diagnostic/assessment interviews and to formulate a basic treatment plan.
• Ability to make appropriate referrals.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with others.
• Ability to appropriately handle hostile individuals and those experiencing a crisis.
• Ability to understand the rules and procedures of the courts and criminal justice system.
• Ability to interpret Federal, State, and local regulations, procedures, and guidelines for human services professionals.
• Ability to read and understand professional journals and other publications.

Licenses and Certificates

Some positions within this classification may require possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver's license at the time of appointment.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education

Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Proof of Degree Equivalency

Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org)

Mail Or Deliver Documents To

ATTN: Human Services Associate (Family Services) - Non-Merit

Office of Human Resources

Baltimore County Government

308 Allegheny Ave.

Towson, MD 21204

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

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.

Conditions of Employment

This is a non-merit, unclassified, grant-funded position.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

This position is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, lifting, or other limited physical activities. Position may require traveling between work sites.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation

Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.

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.

Benefits

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.

Disclaimer

This is only a summary of benefits and policies in Baltimore County. Any benefit or policy may be changed at any time at the discretion of the administration. This summary does not constitute an express or implied contract, nor does it constitute a guarantee that your employment relationship will continue for any specified period of time or end only under certain conditions.