COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES AIDE 2 L0621

Definition: This is public contact work in a County Children and Youth, Mental Health/Mental Retardation or Human Services Agency.

An employe in this class assists program staff in providing services to clients including children, youth and families, people who are mentally disabled. Work involves assisting

clients/families with activities of daily living, advising of available resources, assisting in obtaining services from within the agency and other agencies, and providing transportation. Work may involve accompanying social service staff on visits to homes or institutions, assisting with the completion of forms and assisting with clerical duties. Work is performed under the close supervision of a professional worker/supervisor and is reviewed through observation and results attained.

Examples of Work: Assists clients/families with activities of daily living such as family budgeting, marketing, housekeeping standards, personal health and hygiene, nutrition, food preparation and storage, care of clothing and use of resources.

Provides basic information, referral and emergency services; provides basic supportive counseling to public regarding community resources, policy and procedures.

Provides transportation for clients to medical, dental and other needed services, including the transport to foster homes or other facilities.

Supervises the attendance and monitors the behavior of children during appointments and visits.

Provides information to clients on the availability of resources and services and assists with the preparation of forms.

Assists in locating homes, and intercedes with utility companies, landlords and other social service agencies when problems occur.

May provide testimony in court as required under the close supervision of a professional worker or supervisor.

Keeps professional worker and supervisor informed of progress made toward the client and family in meeting established goals and objectives and/or notifies of possible need for change or additional services.

Performs general housekeeping activities within such areas as a home, child day care center, visiting rooms or others.

Receives telephone inquiries and calls concerning emergency situations, provides active listening to clients in crisis until calls can be referred to a professional worker or supervisor.

Performs clerical tasks such as folding, sealing and stamping mail; opening and distributing mail, answering the telephone; operating simple office machines and filing.

Periodically participates in conferences with agency staff, families and others to provide information for their use in the development of treatment plans, goals and objectives.

Participates in training programs designed to develop program knowledges and skills.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledges, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of community resources and services.

Knowledge of the methods and techniques of infant and child care or care of the mentally disabled.

Knowledge of home management, including family budgeting, meal planning and sound nutrition; selection, care and maintenance of clothing and household equipment; personal health, sanitation and grooming.

Knowledge of federal, state and county rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Knowledge of office practices and procedures.

Ability to recognize family problems and transmit the information to a professional social services worker or supervisor.

Ability to instruct individuals in the activities of daily living and/or the care of infants and children.

Ability to evaluate and analyze information obtained through interviews, general observation, reports and records.

Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients, their families, agency staff and other community agencies.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Minimum Experience and Training: One year as a County Social Services Aide 1;

or

Graduation from high school, or its equivalency, and two years of experience in public contact work in a human services agency which included one year of experience in interviewing and obtaining information;

or

An associate's degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Date Established or Last Revised

Class Specification - October 1992

Evaluation Guide - November 1994

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST03