03/02/2011                                                                                                                                            L1041

HOMEMAKER

DEFINITION:  This is home management work providing homemaker services or assistance of an instructional nature in the field of public welfare.

An employee in this class performs a variety of assigned home management duties in the homes of the chronically ill, or families where parents are unable to provide adequate physical and emotional care for children; or provides assistance of an instructional nature in such basic techniques of home management as budgeting, child care, and food selection and preparation.  Important aspects of service in the home are to safeguard family relationships and hold families together during crisis periods, preserve familiar surroundings, and avoid emergency foster home or institutional placement.  Emphasis in individual or group instruction is to promote the recipient’s capacity to improve family living conditions by establishing should home management routines.  Work is assigned and general supervision is provided by a social service worker who is responsible for coordinating, integrating, and evaluating homemaker services with the overall social service program of the agency.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:  Performs household and home management functions such as budgeting, shopping, housekeeping, cooking, and laundry for children, or individuals with mental, developmental or physical disabilities, in their homes. 

Cares for children during the absence or incapacity of their parents.  Trains and supervises children in cooperation with parents.

Instructs selected individuals by demonstrating techniques of home management such as child care, family budgeting, shopping, cooking, sewing, sanitation, personal health, and personal hygiene.

Attends conferences to learn and discuss agency policies and work assignments.  Attends orientation and in-service training programs.

Plans work to address the needs of individuals in consultation with caseworkers and other professionals.

Prepares and maintains case reports on each assignment.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  Knowledge of methods and techniques of caring for infants, children, and individuals with mental, developmental and physical disabilities

Knowledge of the materials and methods used in home management, such as family budgeting, shopping,  cooking, laundering, ironing, cleaning, and sewing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:  Two years of experience in home management, child care, or care of the mentally or physically disabled; or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST02