Social Worker

This position is located in the D.C Department of Human Services (DHS), Family Services Administration (FSA) with-in Permanent Housing Division (PSH). The mission of FSA is to assure the provision of those social services which together with health, housing, and employment programs will enable the maximum number of residents and families in the District of Columbia to become or remain economically and socially self-sufficient.

About DHS

The mission of the District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) is to provide meaningful and equitable services, supports, and access to resources for District residents to realize their goals. Our approach to preventing homelessness and supporting individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness is focused both on systems-level reforms and on the quality of the programs and supports within that system. These efforts include creating economic opportunity, making our neighborhoods safer, and providing more effective and efficient government services. The FSA helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness, people with low income, adults at-risk for abuse or neglect, teenage parents, families experiencing challenging times and refugees to become stable and fully self-sufficient through an array of social services, assessments and case-management and crisis-intervention.

Duties and Responsibilities

Perform duties in connection with the provision of a wide variety of especially complex social work services in the D.C. community. Plan, organize, develop and implements a comprehensive and intensive program of adult oriented and/or family-centered social work services for D.C. residents who are highly at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation and self-neglect. Provide outreach social services directed towards helping individuals/families receive maximum benefits from social, medical, and legal services by counseling them, relatives, and significant others to help them accept, recognize and resolve social, environmental and emotional problems that interfere with treatment, recovery, and independent functioning. Social Services provided are also geared toward promoting understanding, positive feeling and attitudes concerning illness and resolution of adult abuse and related social problems.

Provide individual and family-centered social services engaging individuals/families in problem-solving to strengthen their capacities for coping more effectively with the health, social, financial, environmental, and emotional stresses that threaten their stability and functioning in their particular circumstances. Utilize differentially the professional social work methods of case work and the professional techniques of individual psycho-social assessment and interviewing, crisis intervention, time limited therapy, family therapy and consultation in work with clients, staff: and community. Initiate and coordinate community relations work by establishing outreach education programs with social service agencies, community groups, advocacy groups, and professional associations for the purpose of providing understanding related to adult abuse and its prevention and remediation and maintenance of dependent adults in the least restrictive environment.

Qualifications and Education

Degree: Social Work. Must fulfill all the requirements for the master's degree in social work in a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression.

Licenses and Certifications

Must possess and maintain Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the District of Columbia as specified in the Health Occupation Revision Act of 1985, DC Law 6-99.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is performed in an office setting, health service facility, institution or in client's homes throughout the entire City. The employee is exposed to potentially dangerous situations and is subject to possible physical attack from emotionally disturbed hostile, volatile, or uncooperative clients and from illness or contagious disease from clients. The work environment involves risk with exposure to unpredictable situations where conditions cannot be controlled, such ac; the homes of clients and in high-risk or high crime areas. Danger is not always obvious but may be visible one time and not the next. Outside communication may be non-existent. The employee is subject to unusual environmental stress from the working environment, such as being subject to possible physical attack or similar potentially dangerous situations where conditions cannot be controlled, and from continually working with severe problem situations. The high risk work environment subjects the social worker to working in an unprotected environment with rapid changes in circumstances which cannot be foreseen.

Other Significant Facts

Candidates are encouraged to upload proof of degree(s) and licensure upon completion of the application.

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday; 8:30am – 5:00pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0185-12

Promotional Potential: None

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in a collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME 2401 and union dues may be collected.

Position Designation: This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive therefore the incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability and as such, incumbents of this position shall be subject to criminal background checks, background investigations, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing, as applicable.

Residency Preference: When claiming residency preference, you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Emergency Designation: This position has been designated as Emergency. Employees occupying positions designated as Emergency are required to:

• Provide advice, recommendations, and/or specific functional support necessary for the continuity of operations during a declared emergency.
• Remain at their duty station, or alternate work location (approved by their supervisor), if activated, when a situation or condition occurs and results in early dismissal for nonessential/non-emergency employees.
• Report to their duty station, when activated, on time and as scheduled when a situation or condition occurs during non-work hours, and results in the late arrival or closing of District government offices for non-essential/non-emergency employees.
• Telework during a declared emergency, instead of remaining or reporting to his or her duty station, if directed by the agency head (or designee), supervisor or manager.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, or any other legally-protected status within the limits imposed by applicable District and federal laws and regulations.