SOCIAL COUNSELOR 2* - 09282026- 81325

About the role

Full‑time Hybrid position (in‑office and remote) with the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) in Cookeville, TN. Position open 09/28/2026 – 10/11/2026. The role involves professional social counseling and service coordination for adults and children with disabilities, adult protective services, maternal and child health, and related programs. Prior to employment, a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) screening will be conducted, proof of education (diploma or official transcript) is required, and a criminal background check (including fingerprint sample, vulnerable persons registry review, and criminal history disclosure) is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and/or report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults and/or children with mental or physical impairment to determine need for protective services.
• Interview and assess clients, family members, and other involved parties (including alleged perpetrators) to gather information for determining risk levels and service needs.
• Implement service plans that address client needs or concerns.
• Refer and/or coordinate services for clients to reduce risk and increase autonomy.
• Identify potential risk factors during client assessments and monitor progress of service plans.
• Respond to questions and inquiries from clients, families, caregivers, and others per departmental policy.
• Document services implemented, client contacts, observations, progress, and relevant information in client files and databases.
• Participate as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team to strategize solutions.
• Use appropriate equipment (e.g., computers, copier/scanner/fax, vehicle, phone, camera) as needed to assess or implement client services.
• Educate government departments, local agencies, law enforcement, the general public, and other external entities about agency programs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree AND one year of professional experience in one or a combination of the following: health care for children, adolescent, or geriatric populations; social work; or social or psychological counseling (including mental health, correctional, or behavioral rehabilitation counseling); or one year of experience in early intervention and/or service coordination with individuals with disabilities in an educational, social services, or medical setting; or one year of teaching early childhood education or assessing individuals with disabilities.

Substitution of Graduate Course Work for Experience: Additional qualifying graduate course work from an accredited college or university in a related field may be substituted for the experience, on a year‑for‑year basis, to a maximum of one year.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants may be required to possess a valid driver's license if driving is an essential function, complete a criminal history disclosure form approved by the appointing authority, agree to release all criminal‑history records, supply a fingerprint sample for the TBI‑based criminal history records check, and submit to a review of their status on the Department of Health's vulnerable persons registry.

Skills

• Instills Trust
• Manages Complexity
• Communicates Effectively
• Global Perspective
• Decision Quality
• Knowledge: Administration and Management, Clerical, Customer and Personal Service, Psychology
• Skills: Active Learning and Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness
• Abilities: Inductive Reasoning, Oral Comprehension & Expression, Written Comprehension & Expression, Problem Sensitivity, Limb and/or Full Body Coordination
• Tools & Equipment: Computers, Copier/Scanner/Fax Machine, Vehicle, Phones, Camera

Pay

Salary (Monthly): $3,631.00 – $4,533.00
Salary (Annually): $43,572.00 – $54,396.00

Schedule

Full‑Time; Hybrid (in‑office and remote)