Job Description

CASEWORKER I

JOB CODE 07100

Effective Date:	11/92A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to provide moderately complex information and referral work for designated groups of clients requesting social service assistance. Work involves interviewing clients to identify problems, determining assistance needed, and referring them to the appropriate agency or field follow-up service. Responsibilities require considerable contact with members of poverty groups, other agencies, anti-poverty workers, and the general public. Work is performed under general supervision of a Caseworker II or III. The complexity of work assignments differentiates this class from the class of Casework Aide.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Interviews clients to determine their needs and refers them appropriate community agencies and services;
• Develops client assistance plans after a needs assessment oral interview and verifies their eligibility documents;
• Acts as a liaison between clients and organizations and agencies;
• Creates and updates manual and/or computer database client files by recording each contact made with clients and families, and maintains records required for follow-up;
• Encourages clients to utilize and supplies them and staff with notices of community activities, resources, and services;
• Keeps current files of social services available to area residents and provides information about how to obtain the services;
• Arranges services with providers as required by case plans;
• Assists clients complete written applications for social services;
• Recruits clients for the program by identifying recruitment sources, developing publicity materials, and distributing and posting recruitment flyers;
• Provides emergency assistance, crisis intervention, and clothing bank referrals;
• Arranges for delivery of emergency food boxes and placement in emergency shelters;
• Assesses training needs of clients and families;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Social services available through the anti-poverty programs.
• Current policies and regulations governing eligibility for clients.
• Effective interviewing techniques and procedures.

Ability to:

• Interpret social service program regulations in a clear, accurate, and friendly manner to clients.
• Communicate clearly and work effectively with members of minority and lower socio-economic groups.
• Maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Communicate orally with employees, clients, or public using a telephone, in a face-to-face, one-to-one setting, and in a group setting.
• Comprehend and make inferences from material written in the English language.
• Produce documents written with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Learn job-related material primarily through oral instruction and observation. This learning takes place mainly in an on-the-job training setting.
• Work cooperatively with other employees and the public.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license, and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work location, assignment, or shift.
• Some employees who are skilled in a second language will be called upon occasionally to utilize that skill in the routine performance of their duties.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Two years of experience in a social service programs, plus an associate's degree in social work, sociology, social services, or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.