CASEWORKER (MINORITY GROUP SPECIALIST) 30690 (Competitive)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The work involves responsibility for providing social work services for individuals and/or their families including children to assist them with their economic, emotional, social and environmental difficulties. Work is performed under the close supervision of a Senior Caseworker or Case Supervisor Grade B, with in-service training provided through the agency's staff development program. The caseworker, in consultation with the supervisor, formulates and carries out plans to meet the individual problems of the cases assigned, coordinates treatment plans with other providers and provides case management services. Certain assignments made to employees in this class will require reasonable access to transportation so that fieldwork requirements made in the ordinary course of business are completed in a timely and efficient manner. Incumbents must successfully pass a background check. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Formulates and carries out plans to meet the needs of the individual or family.
Provides counseling to increase the individual's or family's capacity to solve problems.
Studies the background and need for care of clients referred, securing information from the client, the
family, relatives, schools, churches, family courts, and other agencies.
When foster care (of a child) is necessary, determines whether the child's needs can best be met in an
institution or a foster family home.
Plans with parents and relatives for the care of children and reestablishment of the home.
Establishes a relationship with individuals and families to support them in using recommended social
services.
Identifies the need for services through in-depth discussions with clients.
Makes home visits.
Coordinates case plans with other service providers.
Establishes and maintains contacts with various individual agencies to which individuals and families can be referred for services.
Works closely with other staff personnel, such as homemakers, in carrying out the plan for services.
Reviews existing case records for available information for use in formulating a plan of treatment.
Periodically reviews cases to determine changes in the individual's or family's situations affecting need for service.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Working knowledge of Federal, State and local public welfare laws and programs.
Ability to establish and maintain purposeful relationships with people, with special emphasis on recipients of services from minority populations.
Ability to prepare effective written correspondence, records and reports.
Ability to use a variety of conceptual tools in interpreting human behavior and social processes, with special emphasis on cultural experiences of minority populations.
Respect for individual rights and sensitivity to individual differences.
Strong powers of observation and analysis skills.
Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees.
CONCURRENT WITH, OR IN ADDITION TO, THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS SPECIFIED ABOVE, CANDIDATES MUST ALSO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Completion of a major course of study at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university in Native American, African American or Hispanic culture studies, which must have included a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester credit hours in those areas of study; or,
Two (2) years of close cultural association experience with Native Americans(1)*, African Americans or Hispanics(2)*, or a work association in a criminal justice setting that requires advocacy for, or interaction with, Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians or other minority ethnic groups.
(1)* Person having origins in the original people of North America, and who has maintained cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition.
(2)* Person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culture other than European.
Note: “Close cultural association” is defined as involvement in cultural activities or cultural groups, participation in advocacy groups or involvement in religious or political groups or organizations. Work or volunteer experience that involves supervision or case management of minority persons is not considered a “close cultural association” for the purpose of meeting these minority qualifications.
01/2019 Revised