23-157R Social Work Assistant 2

TITLE: Social Work Assistant 2

SALARY:

$55,598* - $70,034 (Rockland County)

$53,848* - $68,284* (Orange County)

OTHER: *Please note, the posted Hiring Salary includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for ISU Grade 14 ($52,198), along with any special salary treatments in effect for this position for Rockland County, such as Downstate Adjustment ($3,400) or for Orange County such as the Mid-Hudson rate ($1,650). The posted maximum salary (Job Rate $66,634) includes the previously stated adjustments.

LOCATION: Hudson Valley DDSOO Family Care – location To Be Determined

Hudson Valley DDSO Main Campus

7 Wilbur RD

Thiells, NY 10984

OR

Hudson Valley DDSO Middletown Campus:

42 Rykowski Lane

Middletown, NY 10940

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This Social Worker Assistant 2 (SWA2) position (Family Care Liaison) is responsible for ensuring that the Family Care Providers are adhering to the Family Care policies relative to the health and safety of over 30 individuals who reside in Rockland, Sullivan, Westchester, and Orange Counties. It is the responsibility of the SWA 2 to ensure that communication occurs in effective manner between the Family Care Provider and all other members of the treatment team. It will be the function of the SWA 2 to monitor 10-15 Family Care homes to ensure that safety and health issues are immediately address and the required follow up is completed.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Social Worker Assistant 2/ Family Care Home Liaison is responsible for ensuring that the safety and health of the individuals are maintained in the Family Care Homes.

• The Social Worker Assistant 2 (SWA2) / Family Care Home Liaison may be responsible for covering 20-30 individuals residing in Family Care Homes. The SWA2 would provide oversight to ensure that the living environments meets the individuals physical, medical, social, and

spiritual needs.

• This position would also ensure that the physical plant of the Family Care Provider home stays in compliance with OPWDD regulations.

• It will be the function of the SWA2 to monitor the homes to ensure that safety and health issues are immediately addressed and the required follow up is completed.

• Additionally, it is the responsibility of the SWA2 to ensure that communication occurs in effective and timely manner between the Family Care Provider (FCP) and all other members of the treatment team.

• The SWA2 ensures that the Family Care Providers are adhering to the Family Care policies relative to health and safety of the individual while in their Family Care Home’s.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

You must meet the requirements below to qualify for this title.

Either A. a bachelor's degree or higher in social work,

Or

B. a bachelor's degree or higher in a human service area* and one year of post-bachelor's social work experience.**

*The following are examples of degrees considered human service areas: the professional disciplines of art therapy, audiology, dance therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, social work, speech/language pathology, and therapeutic recreation. Also included are related academic disciplines associated with the study of: human behavior (e.g., gerontology, human services, sociology, speech communication); human skills development (e.g., counseling, education, human development); or any other study of services related to basic human care needs (e.g., community mental health, rehabilitation counseling).

Examples of non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to anthropology, archeology, communication, criminal justice, fine arts, philosophy, and political science.

**Qualifying social work experience involves activities such as assessing individual and family needs, strengths, and limitations; assisting in the development of treatment plans; providing counseling to promote mental, emotional, physical, and social functioning; helping individuals and families access supportive services; coordinating and evaluating services, programs, and support systems; and providing support, advocacy and referral as appropriate. Examples of non-qualifying experience include providing direct hands-on care to patients/consumers by assisting with bathing, dressing, mobility, eating, and other activities of daily living; transporting/accompanying patients/consumers to appointments or activities; planning, organizing, and participating in recreational activities for patients/consumers, such as sports, games, creative arts, and/or clubs; and performing safety and/or security related functions for a facility.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Display strong writing, verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Possess the ability to work independently.

• Have a working knowledge of and be proficient in the use of a computer.

• Possession of a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State is preferred.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.

• If you are employed by state government, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.

• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume/cover letter.

• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). If an employee believes that he or she needs a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the NYS OPWDD Workforce and Talent Management Central Office at (518) 473-4785 or Email at accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.

• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

• Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide their current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov

• OPWDD is committed to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas, and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

• OPWDD is committed to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas, and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.