Social Service Technician - Temporary; NBOE

Social Service Technician (NBOE) - Temporary role with Newark Board of Education, Office of Early Childhood. This title is governed by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (NJCSC). The Superintendent invites qualified and interested persons to apply for the position of Social Service Technician within the Office of Early Childhood. The appointment is temporary contingent on grant funding availability and Board of Education approval.

Under supervision of a Social Work Supervisor or other supervisor performs paraprofessional work involving the operation of a service program requiring specialized skills and program knowledge; has responsibility for gathering required social information about the client, for making an assessment of the case and for implementing a preventive, rehabilitative and/or supportive treatment program; does other related duties.

Note: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

• Graduation from High School or Vocational School or possession of an approved High School Equivalent Certificate.
• Two (2) years of experience in a social service, health or community agency involving gathering social information from clients, identifying their needs, and providing referrals for needed services or, planning and carrying out treatment plans for clients.
• Appointees 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.

Note: Applicants who do not possess the indicated experience may substitute semester hour credits from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.

• Under supervision and while receiving continuous in-service training, performs supportive social services including interpreting agency policy and its services to clients and establishing two-way communication between client and agency.
• Helps clients make use of public welfare and community agency services.
• Assists clients in preparation of forms on a selective basis.
• Develops resource files on community facilities such as social agencies, clinics, recreational facilities, or nursing homes.
• Serves as a resource person regarding community problems.
• Makes home visits for the purpose of obtaining information about the client's situation which would help to determine and plan services.
• Assists clients in home management.
• Assists clients in resolving school problems of children and problems relating to housing.
• Visits clients to discuss reason for failure to keep appointments.
• Assists in projects and surveys in the agency and gathers other routine data as needed.
• Keeps adequate records.
• Prepares brief reports and recommendations.
• Handles or refers telephone calls from doctors, hospital social service, surgical supply houses, etc., through frequent home visits, serving as liaison between client and worker.
• Informs social worker of deteriorating physical conditions.
• Assists isolated individuals in finding satisfying social contacts.
• Organizes groups of recipients for developing programs for mutual economic and social self-help, i.e., senior citizen recreational programs or tutorial programs for dropouts.
• Will 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.
• Perform other duties and tasks assigned by supervisor.

• Knowledge of the community, including both physical aspects and community organizations.
• Knowledge of social and economic conditions in the community and of welfare practices.
• Ability to establish relationships of mutual trust and respect with clients especially with disadvantaged people of varying ethnic and social background.
• Ability to interpret and clarify simple basic agency policies.
• Ability to meet and work with agency staff and persons from the community.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and make basic recommendations.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and work independently and make practical application of skills and knowledge acquired through training, experience and education.
• Ability to maintain pertinent 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…