Social Service Technician (00292)

To be considered for any DPHHS Agency position, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials. Successful applicant(s) are required to successfully pass all DPHHS specific background check(s) relevant to each position.

Materials Required of Applicants:

(To be considered in this pool, please submit the following)

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  Supplemental question(s): How has your education and/or experience prepared you to be successful at this job?
  
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  Cover letter
  
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  Resume
  
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  Professional References:
  
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    Please provide 3 professional references, work relation, and contact number
    

(Please type responses in a Word document and attach to application. HELPFUL HINT: When attaching a document you much check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Please do not attach more than requested. If you have more than 25 attachments in the system you will need to email these to: hhshumanresources@mt.gov . Failure to attach the required material will conclude in an incomplete application. You must also keep those relevant boxes checked once you submit your application; if you uncheck the box with an active application it will delete the attachment.)

JOB OVERVIEW:



This position provides assistance to the Child Protection Specialist in delivering family-centered services within a trauma-informed system to assure safety, permanency, and well-being for children who are at risk of or have been subjected to child maltreatment. Responsibilities of this position include: 1) Providing oral and written reports to the Child Protection Specialists regarding contacts with children and families in an effort to achieve positive outcomes; 2) Schedules and coordinates appointments and meetings; 3) Supervises and documents parent/child interactions during visitations; and 4) Assists in meeting documentation requirements to assure compliance with statutory and policy requirements regarding safety, permanency, and well-being.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):



Assists social workers in completion of case related duties

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  Provides oral and written reports to the Child Protection Specialists regarding contacts with children and families; such as, parent/child visitations, home visits, and contacts with families where children are placed in out-of-home care.
  
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  In the absence of the Child Protection Specialist, may be the contact for parents, children or families where children are placed in out-of-home care.
  
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  Enters information provided by the Child Protection Specialist into the information and Case Recording System (CAPS).
  
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  Assists the Child Protection Specialist in completing reports and writing plans which includes items such as compiling information from case records, gathering information from various sources to provide to the Child Protection Specialist to complete a final product.
  
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  May assist the social worker in the removal of children from their home.
  
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  Schedules and coordinates required appointments and meetings assuring proper notice is provided to participants.
  
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  Testifies in court on the direct knowledge and observations of client activities.
  
  Directs services to children and families
  
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  Supervises and documents parent-child interactions during visitations; teaches parenting skills through role modeling, supporting positive parent/child interactions, and intervening and providing redirection when necessary. All activities can occur in the parent’s home or in an office setting.
  
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  Interviews parents, foster parents, children and other professionals to gather information for social histories and to coordinate scheduling of parent child/visitation and activities.
  
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  Provides information and referral services to clients including providing assistance in completing applications for assistance with other agencies to promote positive well-being outcomes for children and families.
  
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  Provides transportation for child and adult clients to appointments to other community professionals.
  
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  Serves as a communication link between children, parents, out-of-home placements and Child Protection Specialists.
  
  Other responsibilities
  

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  With assistance develops spreadsheets and flow charts to assist in delivery of services to children, parents and families providing out-of-home care to children in the custody of the State.
  
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  Answers phones and assists with office administrative duties when necessary.
  

Physical and Environmental Demands:

The work of a Social Service Technician may often be extremely challenging and involves extensive field work in the homes of families. The ability to engage and work with angry and violent individuals, make critical decisions, assess parent/child interactions and intervene and redirect when necessary, travel when required, and remain flexible when working under demanding conditions, while assisting Child Protection Specialists with strict documentation requirements, is required. Office time is limited due to the field work demands of this position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

Required for the first day of work:

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  Basic knowledge of child development.
  
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  Basic knowledge of parenting skills.
  
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  Ability to develop respectful, constructive, and cooperative working relationships with others and engage families and children.
  
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  Ability to be aware of others’ reactions and understand why they react as they do.
  
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  Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
  
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  Ability to apply general rules to specific problems.
  
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  Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  
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  Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, including using spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs.
  

Qualifications:


Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

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  High school diploma or the equivalent.
  
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  Two years of social services work experience, or other directly-related work experience, working with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations.
  
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  Other combinations of related education and work experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  
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  Experience working with tribal government entities and/or other organizations of native peoples is highly preferred.
  

Eligible Training Assignment:

11.14