Social Worker-Aging and Independence
JOB INFORMATION
Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. full-benefits
In conjunction with the Department of Social Services, this position provides social work/case management services to clients 65 and older in the Senior Care Program. The purpose of this program is to enable clients to maintain independence in their home and prevent premature institutional care. Daily supervision is received from a Social Work Supervisor at the Department of Social Services; supervision may also be received from the Area Agency on Aging Director of the Frederick County Division of Aging & Independence.
NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate, with limited exception.
Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
- 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
- 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
- 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
- Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
- Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
- 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
- County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- Vesting after 5 years of service
- Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
- Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
- Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Screen requests for Senior Care services, collect intake documents from other agencies
- Refer and receive assessments from the Adult Evaluation and Review Services (AERS)
- Conduct initial in-home assessments to assess client needs; develop plan of care in collaboration with Adult Services nurse
- Determine eligibility for Senior Care gap-filling services in accordance with the published Senior Care means test, financial eligibility standards and availability of other resources
- Provide on-going case management of Senior Care cases including evaluation of need, on-going case planning, arranging for services, crisis intervention, immediate follow-up, ongoing monitoring and periodic re-evaluation of client's needs
- Track all Senior Care clients on both the case and system levels
- Meet monthly or when necessary with the Senior Care case management team to resolve problem areas of service delivery to ensure inter-agency coordination and to review expenditures and to identify urgent unmet needs
- Maintain a working relationship with related local agencies and service providers.
- Maintain statistical reports related to the Senior Care program and submit at least quarterly to supervisor
- Provide service to clients by answering questions, providing information, making referrals and assuring appropriate follow-through and/or resolution
- As needed, transport clients to medical appointments and other service locations (using either a State or County vehicle)
- Perform other duties as required
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The essential duties do not cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Master's degree Social Work
- Current LMSW licensure issued from the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners
- Possession of a valid automobile operator's license
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:
- Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
- Considerable knowledge of social services and social programs available in Frederick County, especially those that benefit senior citizens
- Strong case management skills including the ability to demonstrate creativity and initiative coordinating appropriate referrals to community agencies and resources.
- Strong math and record keeping skills
- Ability to effectively access and use computerized systems and equipment (word processing, data management etc.)
- Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to effectively conduct client interviews; clearly convey client needs and participate in case management team meetings, and the ability to effectively complete initial and on-going client assessments, service plans, and service agreements
- Ability to effectively access and use computerized systems and equipment
- Ability to function as a member of an interagency team
- Ability to work with sensitive, personal information and maintain appropriate confidentiality
- Ability to effectively organize work, establish priorities, and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, health care professionals and other colleagues as well as the general public, with special sensitivity to the needs and priorities of senior citizens
PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:
- Secondary language skills, particularly in Spanish
- Experience working with the senior population
- Case management work experience
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:
- While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit; frequently walk and drive.
- While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS
- Ability to provide own transportation to training sessions, home visits, meetings.
- Available for varied working hours to accommodate meetings and appointments
- This position is co-located at the Department of Social Services building
- May be scheduled to work during an emergency to support county operations
- Required licenses must be current throughout employment with Frederick County
- This position is subject to random drug testing without marijuana
KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include)
- An evaluation of training and experience
- One or more interviews
- A pre-employment drug test without marijuana
- A pre-employment fingerprint supported background investigation
Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to Recruitment@FrederickCountyMD.gov