Social Service Aide (HeadStart)

USVI Division of Personnel; Saint John (IN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Social Service Aide helps implement Head Start objectives and directly engages with children and families in the program. The role includes handling family records, conducting home visits, and coordinating with teachers to support child and family services.

Responsibilities include recruiting for Head Start, completing Family Needs Assessments, and connecting families with community resources, while maintaining confidentiality and reporting to the Social Services Manager.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with two years of community service field work
• Valid Virgin Islands driver's license within 18 months of hire
• Credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field
• Knowledge of community resources and programs
• Ability to write reports
• Good interviewing techniques
• Ability to work with different ethnic groups
• Understanding of confidentiality

Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and protect the confidentiality of family records
• Update family data including enrollment forms, referrals, follow-up, and family needs assessments
• Recruit and screen applications for Head Start children
• Conduct home visits to complete Family Needs Assessments and discuss services with families
• Inform families about community resources and encourage parent participation
• Submit monthly social services reports to the Social Services Manager

Job description

Summary

DEFINITION

The Social Service Aide assists with the implementation of the objectives of the Social Services Component as specified in the Performance Standards of the Head Start Program. This position involves direct contact with Head Start children and their families.

DUTIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)

Provides for the establishment, maintenance, and confidentiality of family records.

Maintains and updates pertinent family data that should include: completed enrollment forms, referrals, follow-up, and family needs assessment.

Participates in recruitment and screening of applications for Head Start children.

Conducts home visits to all enrollees to:

1. Complete Family Needs Assessment (FNA).
2. Help parents to understand that Head Start is a family‑oriented program; inform families about the services provided and encourage parent participation.
3. Observe home condition and inquire about family strengths, weaknesses and the overall wellbeing of the family.
4. Inform parents about existing community resources.

Completes written home visit reports.

Discusses reports and plans for follow‑up with supervisor.

Accompanies families and children to agencies when necessary.

Visits assigned centers to:

1. Observe children and parents participation in the center.
2. Inform teachers on action taken on referrals.
3. Confer with teachers on children’s attendance.
4. Check attendance records.

Submits social services monthly statistical report to Social Services Manager, and other required Social Services Component's reports.

Encourages parents to attend parent meetings and workshops.

Attends workshops, seminars, and training sessions as assigned by the Social Services Manager.

Initiates center conferences with teaching staff to discuss ways of assisting parents and families with problems.

Interviews parents and families to facilitate information gathering in, filling out, and completing Community Needs Assessments (CNA) Report and other needed data.

Performs other related duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A high school diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience in community service field work.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a valid Virgin Islands driver’s license within eighteen (18) months of hire, at a minimum, and a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

FACTOR 1- KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Knowledge of community resources and programs.

Knowledge of public and private social services providers within the community resources and programs available to clients.

Knowledge of current information and resources pertaining to social services to engage families and create family plans.

Ability to express oneself, clearly and concisely, orally and in writing for reporting.

Ability to write reports.

Skill in good interviewing techniques.

Ability to work with different ethnic groups.

Ability to establish rapport with families and sensitivity to their needs.

Understanding of confidentiality.

FACTOR 2- SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

An employee in this role will report to the Social Services Manager, and refers to supervisor all difficult cases of family problems where emergency exists.

FACTOR 3- GUIDELINES

Guidelines include the Head Start Performance Standards.

FACTOR 4- COMPLEXITY

An employee must report clearly and concisely, and demonstrate effective interviewing skills.

The incumbent is expected to perform with considerable independence of action and exercise a high degree of initiative and creativity.

FACTOR 5- SCOPE AND EFFECT

The purpose of the work is to recruit and enroll children in the Head Start Program and ensure that Head Start program services and community resources are available to enrolled children and their families.

FACTOR 6- PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with children, parents/families, preschool teachers, activity centers personnel and community programs professionals.

FACTOR 7- PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Contacts are made to provide information to parents and engage families and create family plans.

FACTOR 8 – PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is sedentary and requires minimal standing, lifting, kneeling and reaching.

FACTOR 9 – WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office setting with some home visits to clients as needed.