Social Worker

This position is located in the Youth and Family Programs Division, on the grounds of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). The incumbent serves as a Social Worker for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS} Youth and Family Program Division. As a Social Worker the incumbent is responsible for providing complex and difficult professional social work services that significantly depart from established practices and techniques

Duties and Responsibilities

The Social Worker conducts investigations of allegations of reports of problems to obtain facts. Contact collateral sources of information that may have knowledge about the circumstances. Reviews facts and assesses the situation. Makes decisions on whether allegations appear to be substantiated, determine degree of severity, and makes determinations regarding services, further evaluation, or other appropriate course of action. Provides a wide range of social work services to clients. Advises on a variety of difficult social work issues; plans and carries out social work activities; maintain liaison with other agencies, departments, and commissions in D.C. government and with a variety of outside groups, institutions, and professional organizations.

The incumbent provides counseling to clients in order to discern client needs, provides guidance to clients in identifying problems, and advises clients on solving a variety of very difficult problems. Coordinate and maintains liaison with officials of social service resource institutions outside of D.C. government in order to obtain services for clients and introduce clients to resources. Coordinates with officials in the judicial system regarding allegations and findings. Provides court testimony on investigations and findings. Participates in outreach programs which include metropolitan areawide programs and activities. Develops approaches to ensure representation and to expand and extend the character of the outreach program. Establishes and maintains working relationships with members of community social service institutions, private organizations, and outside agencies. Makes presentations to officials in social service institutions to ensure that programs meet the needs of clients and programs of D.C. government. Prepares a variety of reports involving client information; services initiated; the chronology of the case, including details of the allegations, investigation, and findings; case actions; social summary; and statement of facts for the courts.

Qualifications and Education

Degree: social work. Must fulfill all of the requirements for the master's degree in social work in a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in the delivery of professional social work services is highly preferred.

Licensures and Certifications

Licensed in the District of Columbia as a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (L.G.S.W.), Licensed Independent Social Worker (L.I.S.W.), or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (L.I.C.S,W) is required.

Working Conditions/ Environment

The work is primarily performed in an office setting but may also include the homes of clients, community organizations and agencies, public institutions, churches, hospitals, courts, and high risk or high crime communities. The employee is exposed to potentially dangerous situations and Is subject to possible physical harm/attack from emotionally disturbed, hostile, volatile, or uncooperative clients, their families, and from individuals in high risk or high crime areas and from Illness or contagious disease from clients.

The work environment involves high risks with exposure to unpredictable situations and situations where conditions cannot be controlled, such as in the homes of clients and in high risk or high crime areas where danger is not always obvious and may be visible one time and not the next and where outside communication may be nonexistent. The employee is subject to unusual environmental stress from the working environment such as being subject to possible physical attack or similar potentially dangerous situations and continually working with severe problem situations. The high-risk work environment subjects the social worker to working in an unprotected environment with rapid changes in circumstances which cannot be foreseen

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Hours may vary based upon the need of the agency; Must be able to work non-traditional hours (on occasion, including one evening per week), respond to crisis, and travel to visit youth in out-of-district places.

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-185-11

Promotion Potential: Promotion potential

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by (AFGE). You may be required to have union dues or other applicable fees deducted from your salary.

Essential Designation: This position is designated as Essential pursuant to Chapter 12 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Hours of Work, Legal Holidays, and Leave.

Position Designation: The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Safety Sensitive.

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.