SOCIAL WORKER 1 - UNDERFILL

This recruitment may close without further notice depending on the number of applications received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

About the Role

The Nevada Department of Corrections has a vacancy for a Social Worker 1 at Northern Nevada Correctional Center. This position will underfill a Social Worker 2. Social Workers identify mental health disorders according to current guidelines and practices, conduct evaluations and assessments, engage in case management, and coordinate with external agencies regarding vulnerable adults at high risk. This position may also participate in formulating policies, procedures, and guidelines for the department.

Social Workers are licensed professionals who provide case management services to children, families, vulnerable adults with intellectual, developmental, physical disabilities, serious mental illness, and older adults (collectively referred to as “vulnerable adults”), as well as other individuals within local communities and institutions. Case management involves identifying an individual's needs and locating, coordinating, and monitoring the social, habilitative, and medical services designed to meet those needs.

Responsibilities

• Assess and reassess client levels of functioning by interviewing clients, family members, and other community contacts; utilize tests, inventories, and other assessment tools; review medical, legal, and law enforcement reports; and evaluate client resources to identify the level of assistance needed and services appropriate to meet client emotional, social, financial, and health needs.
• Develop and implement a case plan that presents intervention strategies to meet client needs, including alternative placement, job training, socialization, nursing services, legal and medical intervention, and financial assistance according to federal and State regulatory guidelines and budget limitations.
• Locate and coordinate a network of services and resources provided by other State agencies, community organizations, and private service providers in areas such as mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, developmental, homemaking, financial assistance, and employment programs pertinent to assessing client needs and case plan goals.
• Provide ongoing case management services by conducting home visits, monitoring delivery of services and quality of care, and reassessing client needs; track client progress and well-being, evaluate case plan effectiveness, and manage resources; assist clients in identifying strengths and barriers and developing problem-solving and coping abilities.
• Collaborate and coordinate case reviews with families, friends, attorneys, and multiple agencies, including social and community services and law enforcement, to ensure case continuity and prevent conflicting case plans and duplication of services.
• May organize multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to assist in strategic assessment and planning of protective services, issues regarding the delivery of service, programs, or individual plans for preventing, identifying, remedying, or treating abuse, neglect, exploitation, isolation, or abandonment of children or vulnerable adults.
• Document case activities; maintain written case histories to include client status, progress, and assessment results; complete necessary forms and prepare relevant correspondence and case reports according to applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Provide crisis intervention in the office or community setting, including responding to emergency calls; report instances of neglect or abuse to the appropriate authorities; utilize appropriate controls for individuals who may be aggressive, combative, or hostile by following established protocols and policies.
• May provide technical assistance, training, guidance, and/or serve as lead workers to other new or experienced Social Workers; may train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of non-professional staff such as Family Support Workers and Administrative Assistants.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Under close supervision, incumbents at this level function in a trainee capacity, learning to determine social service needs of clients, develop appropriate solutions and case plans, and provide ongoing case management services. Progression to the next level in the series may occur upon meeting minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance, and with the recommendation of the appointing authority.

Requirements

• Licensure or provisional licensure as a Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, Independent Social Worker, or Associate in Social Work.
• Licensure or provisional licensure by the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers as a Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, Independent Social Worker, or Associate in Social Worker is required at the time of appointment and as a condition of employment.
• A pre-employment criminal history check and fingerprinting are required. Persons offered employment in this position will be required to pay for these items.
• A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and as a condition of continuing employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

General knowledge of:

• Social problems which call for the use of public and private community resources.
• Philosophy of social work and social work ethics.
• Dynamics of human behavior, including interpersonal relationships and social interaction.
• Confidentiality laws, client rights, and case management practices.
• Signs of substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence.

Ability to:

• Understand and accept differences in human behavior caused by deprivation, abuse, and neglect.
• Effectively interact with persons from a variety of economic, cultural, social, and educational backgrounds.
• Work objectively with individuals who may be hostile, uncooperative, and verbally abusive.
• Recognize signs of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation and report it to the proper authorities.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; compose grammatically correct correspondence and reports.
• Read and understand technical and legal documents; read and interpret program regulations and policies.
• Perform basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
• Assemble, analyze, and report data.
• Organize and prioritize work; participate as a team member.
• Work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
• Transport clients to identified services as required.
• Operate a computer sufficient to enter, store, and retrieve data.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.
• Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit.

Schedule

The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature. The following are legal holidays:

• January 1: New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
• Third Monday in February: Washington’s Birthday
• Last Monday in May: Memorial Day
• June 19: Juneteenth Day
• July 4: Independence Day
• First Monday in September: Labor Day
• Last Friday in October: Nevada Day
• November 11: Veterans' Day
• Fourth Thursday in November: Thanksgiving Day
• Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November: Family Day
• December 25: Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255.

Recruiter Contact Information: Susan Ashley – q.ashley@admin.nv.gov