SOCIAL WORKER I and II, FAMILY SERVICES

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a vacancy at the HOWARD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. Candidates will be considered from two different classifications: Social Worker I and Social Worker II. Applicants are encouraged to apply for any or all of the classifications for which they meet the minimum qualifications.

To be considered for these vacancies, your application(s) must be completed and submitted by

11:59 PM, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015.

Social Worker I, Family Services: Grade 15

Social Worker II, Family Services: Grade 16 

Department of Human Resources

Howard County Department of Social Services

7121 Columbia Gateway Drive

Columbia, MD 21046

This is the full performance level of professional social work providing preventive or protective services to vulnerable adults, children or families. Cases involve suspected child or adult abuse or neglect, out of home placement, guardianship or emergency protective orders, adoption or adult case management.  Employees in this classification do not supervise.  

The Howard County Department of Social Services has vacant positions in the Child Welfare Division.  This Division is broken into Units that include: Foster Care/Adoption, Child Protective Services (CPS), Child Protective Services Screening, and Consolidated Family Preservation.  Within this Division, this classification may provide professional social work services to include: Foster Care/Adoption-complete service agreements, make referrals to reunite birth parents with their children; arrange/supervise family visits for the children with their parents; attend and testify in court hearings; locate adoptive families and match them with children with a plan of adoption, prepare children for adoption, arrange/supervise visits between adoptive families and children; CPS - investigation of child abuse or neglect, conduct family assessments for the Alternative Response track, complete court reports and attend court hearings; CPS Screening - receive, review and collect information, and respond to incoming calls on reports of suspected child abuse and neglect; Family Preservation - provide case management, crisis intervention, problem solving skills, parenting education, long range counseling, and identify additional resources to promote self sufficiency, and to enable children and families to achieve a safe and stable level of functioning.

Education: (Both levels) Determined by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners under the licensing requirements for Social Workers.

This classification requires a Master's in "Social Work" (MSW).

(IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: A master's degree with the specifice major title of: "Social Work" is the only acceptable education qualification for this classification.  You must possess an MSW to meet minimum education qualifications for this classification. There are no substitutions.)

Experience:

Social Worker I, Family Services: None.

Social Worker II, Family Services: One year of experience providing child welfare or adult services to vulnerable children, individuals or familes. (Please explain in detail any job duties on your application relating to the required experience qualification above.)

Notes:  

1. These requirements are established by the Social Services Administration by authority provided in Section 1 of Article 88A of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits does not have the authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Social Work classifications or Social Work specialty codes in the Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

1. Employees are required to be licensed as a graduate social worker, certified social worker or certified social worker-clinical by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners prior to permanent appointment.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.  Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Employees who have not already done so must complete an approved training program and pass a competency test before being granted permanent employment status.

2. Employees are required to meet mandatory standards for continuing education as determined by the Department of Human Resources.  Employees who fail to obtain the required continuing education credits shall be subject to disciplinary action including demotion, suspension and dismissal.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to provide the employer with a telephone number at which they can be reached.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. 

All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date. 

Successful candidates at each level will be ranked in one single band, Best Qualified, and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.      

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position.

Please describe in detail any job duties relating to the minimum qualifications stated above and include any computer software experience (ex. Excel, Access, Word, CHESSIE, etc.) used in each of the positions you held.

All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.

The incumbent in this position is a member of a covered bargaining unit and will be required to pay a bi-weekly service fee to the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.  

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please click on the links below.  The links will bring you to the Open and Continous Recruitment announcement for the classification indicated. 

To be considered for this vacancy, your application(s) must be completed and submitted by

11:59 PM, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015.

Please note: If your application is approved for any or all levels and you are not selected for this vacancy, you will remain on the eligible list(s) and may be considered for future vacancies in other Local Departments of Social Services.  In addition to Howard County, please indicate on your application any other counties for which you are willing to accept employment.

Social Worker I, Family Services

Social Worker II, Family Services

Credit may be given for relevant part-time, temporary, or volunteer experience.

It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Please report all related education, experience, "from-to"dates and hours worked per week  

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be uploaded with your application.   

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred; however, the paper application (available at www.workformaryland.com or the adress and email following) may be submitted to: DHR Examination Services Unit, 311 W. Saratoga Street, First Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; or via email, dhr.esu@maryland.gov. The paper application must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment.  No postmarks will be accepted.  

Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.  

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: Voice 410-767-7414, toll-free: 1-800-332-6347. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.

Please do not submit unsolicited information. Transcripts and copies of diplomas are not required for this examination process. (Please be certain you have clearly stated your education and experience qualifications on your application.)We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.