Job Specifications

Family Services Worker Trainee

Job Code: 502600

Pay Plan: Classified

Pay Grade: 21

Occupational Category: Human Services

Effective Date: 01/07/2018

Class Definition:

Entry level professional casework duties involving the delivery of social, counseling and/or related services to Department for Children and Families (DCF) of the Agency of Human Services (AHS) clients. All employees of the AHS perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation. Duties include both office and field work and are performed under the direction of professional staff. Supervision is direct and close during the early phases of employment, but moderates in accordance with trainee experience and progress in the role. Duties at this level are distinguished from the family services worker position class by assignment of more routine cases and/or greater availability of supervisory assistance. Promotion to a family services worker position requires completion of all SOV new employee training requirements, a plan to complete Foundations and other family services worker onboarding requirements, satisfaction of minimum qualifications for the family services worker position class and a current performance evaluation rating of at least satisfactory..

Examples of Work:

Participates in or conducts interviews with clients, family members, foster parents, potential adoptive parents, medical practitioners, school officials, law enforcement staff and/or others as appropriate for preparation of case record, formulation of an action/treatment plan, and related on-going casework. May determine client eligibility for a variety of program services. May modify case plan in accordance with client needs and progress. Makes arrangements for clients to receive a variety of medical, educational, shelter, day care, transportation, counseling, training and related services. May counsel clients whose needs can be met through elementary therapy sessions. Makes periodic home visits to determine client and family progress. May assist superior in preparation of court and/or departmental reports. May appear and provide testimony at court hearings. Performs a variety of other entry level or moderately complex casework related duties as assigned and in accordance with program priorities. Performs related duties as required.

Environmental Factors:

Duties are performed in a variety of settings ranging from departmental offices to client homes to premises of service providers. Considerable field travel is involved for which private means of transportation must be available. Stressful situations may occur, and with greater frequency, as more difficult cases are assigned. Weekend or evening assignments may also occur, geared to a Trainee's acquired level of training and experience. Exposure to physical danger, although relatively rare, can occur.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Working knowledge of casework principles and practices.

Working knowledge of individual and group dynamics, with particular reference to client need situations.

Working knowledge of the types of services and facilities normally available to disadvantaged applicants and clients.

Working knowledge of interviewing principles and techniques.

Ability to acquire necessary casework information through a variety of interviewing techniques.

Ability to organize data into a coherent and meaningful record for casework planning.

Ability to read and interpret complex rules and regulations.

Ability to prepare and maintain adequate case records.

Ability to perform job duties within the framework of the four key practices of the AHS: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.

OR

Associate's degree AND two (2) years or more of experience in human services work at or above a paraprofessional or technician level.

OR

High School diploma or equivalent AND four (4) years or more of experience in human services work at or above a paraprofessional or technician level.

Preferred Qualifications:

Special Requirements:

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.