Social Worker

About the Role

The Social Worker performs professional and technical duties involved in assisting all litigants who come through General Sessions Court, including their families, by providing services designed to help them meet a variety of human, personal, and environmental needs. This includes engaging and connecting community resources to the General Sessions Court and the people served through the court.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with judges, attorneys, law enforcement, probation officers, and other system personnel to assist litigants with social service needs, including housing, mental health resources, food access, and other services to support holistic well-being.
• Provide appropriate services to clients and information to the general public.
• Offer information and referral services to clients and the public.
• Formulate service plans and review them with clients and other service providers.
• Coordinate with existing court social services, including specialty courts, outside agencies, and faith-based programs.
• Provide clients with information to enable them to understand and use the program’s services, including any conditions for continuation of services.
• Counsel with clients on an individual, family, or group basis.
• Participate in providing specific services, benefits, technical assistance, and/or support to clients, lawyers, judges, and other system personnel.
• Manage a caseload, keep documentation, create reports, and track referrals, services rendered, and other metrics to improve General Sessions services, identify barriers, and reduce recidivism.
• Review and evaluate service plans, monitor progress, and make revisions as needed.
• Prepare clients for termination of services.
• Participate in trainings related to domestic violence, mental health awareness, diversity, and professional development.
• Become well-versed in the operations of General Sessions Court and its dockets.
• Exercise confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Interact professionally with a diverse population within the Court’s jurisdiction.
• Perform related administrative duties, including:
  • Assisting with the development and design of program objectives and content.
  • Researching and recommending alternative methods of program management.
  • Performing needs analysis studies to identify specific needs for the General Sessions Court.
  • Assisting the General Sessions Court with specific projects.
  • Maintaining accurate case and professional records.
  • Writing letters, narratives, statistical reports, and completing forms.
  • Assisting with budget preparation for the program.
  • Attending meetings as needed.

Requirements

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited college or university.
• Licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
• All employees of the Metropolitan Government must be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents within six (6) months of employment.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of basic principles, methodologies, and ethics involved in social work.
• Knowledge of a wide range of community resources, outside agencies, and the services they provide.
• Knowledge of the development and operation of major social service programs.
• General knowledge of significant problems of human behavior and community living.
• General knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing social service programs.
• General knowledge of a variety of treatment modalities and therapeutic group techniques.
• Skill in interviewing, making case assessments, counseling, and assisting clients in goal formulation and realization.
• Skill in counseling individuals and groups.
• Skill in explaining program requirements and services to the public.
• Skill in gathering relevant and useful social information.
• Ability to instruct others and assess situations accurately.
• Ability to establish and implement service plans and modify them as needed.
• Ability to work effectively with the public and explain program requirements and services.
• Ability to accurately record information, case activity, and case progress.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with clients.
• Ability to plan and implement programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.