SOCIAL SERVICES CASE MANAGER 33910
(Competitive)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The work involves responsibility for providing limited social work services for DSS-ES Temporary Assistance clients and their families. The incumbent exercises independent judgement in helping clients and families by providing appropriate support, crisis intervention, mobility mentoring and advocacy with community agencies. Under the general supervision of a DSS-ES Social Services Case Manager Supervisor, employees in this class are assigned to the 2GEN unit or the Temporary Housing Case Management Unit within the Department. This position requires the incumbent to help persons with social, emotional, financial, family, housing and other related identified needs. This position requires engagement with clients, families, other members of the DSS-ES team, and outside community agency partners. Employees provide services to people of all ages, cultural backgrounds and family composition, and most are classified as low-income. Work is assigned and reviewed by a supervisor, who may define or limit the work to be performed. Supervision is not a function of this class. Certain assignments made to employees in this class will require reasonable access to transportation to meet field work requirements made in the ordinary course of business in a timely and efficient manner. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Engages and collaborates with clients and their families to assess needs, discern any problems and generally discuss their situation. Such interviews are usually conducted during a home visit, video chat, telephone or other face-to-face meeting.
Discusses various services and forms of assistance available in the community to assist clients with specific areas of concern, with focus on the five areas of family wellbeing of 2Gen.
Arranges for services from within County departments as well as with outside agencies, including Early Childhood Alliance, appropriate daycare centers, job coaching and training, the Department of Children & Family Services and more.
Collects and maintains data from appropriate sources, such as professional staff and client’s families to establish a solution-focused, strengths-based approach to combat client’s social, emotional, economic, housing and other related concerns.
Maintains information on community agencies and services, which can be utilized during client’s present and future stress situations.
May provide long-term supportive engagement, mobility mentoring (goal setting) and coaching in an individual or group setting. Will also provide supplemental mental health support by using Upstate Hospital’s Thinking Health Program.
Follows up on referrals to ensure that client receives requested services and connections are made, collaborates directly with other members of the 2Gen team, including Temporary Assistance staff, daycare staff, financial coaching staff, employment counselors or trainers and conducts team meetings with these team members.
Maintains case records on clients, describing engagement, coaching, participation, goal setting, goal accomplishment and any additional items that the families identify as a need or concern.
Meets with a supervisor to discuss individual cases and obtain guidance in handling difficult situations.
Encourages families to actively participate in their own services, as well as services for their children, and to reach goals. Services included are early childhood education, daycare, jobs coaching and training, financial empowerment coaching, mental health assessments, and other items that might be identified as a need or barrier to reaching a goal.
Makes home visits as needed.
When Assigned to Housing Case Management
Work with children, individuals and families to procure temporary housing.
Works closely with outside community partners, shelter staff, internal DSS-ES employees and hotel owners and staff.
Makes home visits to shelters and hotels.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Good knowledge of the principals and practices of social work and case management.
Working knowledge of community agencies and services/programs available to children and families.
Working knowledge of the needs and problem associated with low-income children and families including, but not limited to, economic, social and emotional needs.
Working knowledge of public benefit programs.
Ability to exercise good judgement.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with public and private agencies, coworkers and the general public.
Ability to communicate effectively with others.
Ability to prepare case notes and reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Open-competitive
01/2026 Date of Original Composition