Social Worker (SOUL)

DC Government; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Government's Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) in Washington, DC seeks a Social Worker to support youth 14 and older in foster care, focusing on permanency and SOUL Family permanency. You will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to assess needs, develop case plans, and coordinate services for children and families in the District.

The role requires an MSW, at least one year of specialized DC government experience or equivalent, and licensure as LICSW.

Qualifications

• Professional knowledge of social work principles and direct social services to individuals and families.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the child welfare field to provide social work services.
• Knowledge of related psychiatric, psychological, and medical practices used in evaluation and treatment of children and families.
• Knowledge of human behavior dynamics; cultural diversity and communication patterns to conduct home visits or investigations.
• Knowledge of resources, policies, and procedures affecting children and families.
• Interpersonal skills and interviewing techniques to engage clients and develop plans.
• Understanding of CFSA's mission and how social work aligns with goals and objectives.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office for electronic data entry.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Works with youth 14+ in foster care to plan for permanency and successful adulthood.
• Conducts home visits to assess strengths and needs; makes referrals.
• Develops and implements case assessments and plans to address abuse/neglect.
• Responds to crises and intervenes to address problems.
• Uses counseling techniques to address social, environmental, emotional, and medical issues.
• Maintains medical, social, and psychological histories; provides case management.
• Assists with employment, housing, financial aid, and other services.
• Participates in interdisciplinary teams and presents case information; coordinates court orders.
• Maintains up-to-date case records and completes documentation.
• Attends reviews and hearings to report on psycho-social status and CFSA compliance.
• Liaises with families and support networks; supervises family visits.

Skills

Social work principles

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Interviewing skills

Cultural sensitivity

Case management

Education

Master’s of Social Work (MSW) (CSWE-accredited)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is a cabinet-level agency within the District of Columbia government, committed to the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families residing in the District of Columbia. Charged with protecting child victims and those at risk of abuse and neglect, CFSA fosters collaborations within its administrations and network of government agencies and community-based providers to deliver exceptional family-focused services to the community and its residents.

This position is in the Clinical Case Management and Support (CCMS) Administration, Office of Deputy Director for In-Home and Out-of-Home Care (OIHOHC) within the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). This position is specific to working with youth 14 and older in foster care in achieving permanency with a focus on SOUL Family permanency. The Social Worker is re sponsible f orp r oviding a f ull ra ngeof di rec tp r o fe ssion a l so c i a lwo r ks er vi c e sto c hild re n a nd fa mili e softheDist r i c tof C olumbi a , toin c ludethe area s o f a buse a nd n e g l ec t.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Works directly with youth 14 and older in foster care to explore supportive adults in their lives who the agency can engage and plan with towards permanency and successful adulthood.
• Conducts home visits to assess strengths and needs of families; contacts collateral source; reviews pertinent information; makes appropriate referrals.
• Develops and implements case assessments and plans to remediate child abuse and neglect.
• Responds to crisis situations and intervenes to address immediate problems.
• Utilizes various counseling and therapeutic techniques in an attempt to address social, environmental, emotional, and medical problems.
• Maintains medical, physical, social and psychological histories; provides case management to families, children, and youth, both individually and in groups.
• Provides assistance in seeking employment, housing, financial assistance, and other services for assigned caseload.
• Serves as an experienced member of an interdisciplinary team to provide written and oral case presentations regarding the impact of the child and/or the family’s condition, and the psycho-social implications.Identifies the needs and strengths of children and the families as they relate to the overall treatment plan.
• Prepares a variety of reports; represents the CFSA at administrative reviews, court hearings, and other meetings.Coordinates the implementation of court orders.
• Maintains up-to-date case records for documentation of case activity, to include electronic case management data entry.
• Participates in supervisory conferences for the purpose of case planning, sharing information on resources, developing specialized resources for clients, and joint decision-making.
• Attends administrative reviews and court hearings to provide status information regarding the child’s and/or the family’s psycho-social condition and CFSA compliance with recommendations contained in the case plan. Determines the appropriateness of established goals, services, and/or permanency planning based on the status findings.
• Liaises with and maintains ongoing communication with family members and the youth’s support system.
• Supervises and conducts family visits as appropriate.
• Attends professional meetings, conferences, and seminars to keep abreast of the latest changes in the field of social work. Participates in education and training activities for professional development.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Professional knowledge of, and ability to apply the principles and practices of social work in order to provide direct social services to individuals and families.

Comprehensive knowledge of the child welfare field to provide social work services for individuals and families.

Comprehensive knowledge of related psychiatric, psychological, and medical practices used in the evaluation and treatment of children and families, to serve as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team.

Comprehensive knowledge of human behavior dynamics; sensitivity to cultural diversity, age, and religious differenc es affecting child rearing, family and kinship patterns, attitudes about illness and medical care; and communication patterns, to conduct home visits or investigations, develop case plans and provide counseling.

Knowledge of pertinent resources, legal status, and related policies and procedures as they affect children and families.

Skills to develop appropriate interpersonal relationships. Thorough interviewing skills to include communicating acceptance, interest, and encouragement, and selective use of questioning, explanation, and guidance in working with clients to help them explore their problems.

Comprehensive knowledge of the structure, function, and mission of the Child and Family Services Agency, to perform social work consistent with established goals and objectives.

Ability to use Microsoft Office for electronic case management data entry.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Education/Experience

Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Must possess at least one year of specialized and directly related professional experience equivalent to grade 11 level in the District of Columbia government service or its non-District equivalent that equipped the individual with the comprehensive knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Licenses and Certifications: Must be a licensed Individual Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), must adhere and meet all the requirements to maintain the D.C. license current to practice social work in the District of Columbia.

Requires a valid driver’s license and/or use of public transportation. The work is performed during evening hours and weekends, as required.

Work Environment: The work is performed in an office setting.

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday

Promotion Potential: None

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

Duration of Appointment: Career Services- Regular

Pay, Plan, Series &Grade: CS-0301-12

Position Designation: This position is deemed as "safety" sensitive and "essential" pursuant to DPM Chapters 4 (Suitability) and 12 (Essential and Emergency Employees). The incumbent is subject to a criminal background check, traffic records check, and consumer credit check (as applicable), reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test, and post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference" will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Closing Statement: Official Job Offers are made by D.C. Child and Family Services Agency.