APS Caseworker

Job Code: 21-1021 Salary: $17.79 - $34.30

Status: Full-time, Permanent, Non-exempt Location: SSD Administration

Department: Social Services Division Reports To: ACPS Program Manager

Telecommute: Yes Fleet: Yes

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Protective Program Manager, the incumbents will provide protective services on behalf of adults who may be subject of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The incumbents join with families and the community to promote long-term safety and well-being. Demonstrated abilities will include assessing: safety; abuse/neglect; client strengths and capability; client functioning; case planning; and petitioning for protective custody and placement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

· Perform a range of duties concerned with receiving suspected cases of abuse and maltreatment in accordance with OCFS regulations in conducting timely Adult Protective Services investigations, assessing for safety and/or risk regarding abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

· Works diligently to meet Tribal Policy and Procedures, state mandates, and timeframes.

· Develop and implement appropriate service plans and provide ongoing casework with the goal of preventing abuse/neglect and exploitation.

· Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.

· Address legal issues, assist in hearings and provide testimony in court when necessary, to include writing and filing petitions for Access Orders, Guardianship and Representative Payee.

· Provide, find, and arrange for support services to include, but not limited to: homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, employment training, counseling, or parenting classes, to prevent more serious issues from developing.

· Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and where to apply.

· Attend case conferences and other meetings designed to ensure adequate services to individuals, children and families.

· Enter, record, and maintain Progress Notes in ASAP recording systems.

· Maintain case files for all Adult Protective Cases in accordance with OCFS standards and Agency policies, to include maintaining accurate case records of assessment, activities, and plans; writes summaries, reports, letters, and memos.

· To complete all required training, including but not limited to: PSA New Worker Institute.

· Accept other duties as programming needs develop.

· always Promote SRMT in a positive manner.

Protective Services-Adult

· Provide services that promote client self-determination and enhance welfare with the least restrictive alternatives consistent with the client’s needs for services.

· Solicits and evaluates information concerning indicators of mental capacity and dependency, immediate danger, and substantial risk of danger.

· Interview clients, families, collateral contacts and professionals assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.

· Determine and assess client support systems.

· Visits with clients regularly for ongoing assessment of client needs and safety.

· Makes findings, based on facts, regarding incapacitation, dependency, and danger or substantial risk of danger.

· Develops, implements, and monitors case plans to eliminate or reduces danger or substantial risk of danger.

· Responds to crisis situations to protect client.

· Refers clients to appropriate services, negotiates for, and coordinates services on behalf of the client, advocates for service provision.

· Locates resources that effects placement in alternative living arrangements.

· Apply to be Representative Payee status through the SSA for any adult without another person willing or able to handle finances, provided the person is eligible for PSA Services.

· Develops budget plans and monitors client expenses and assets

· Seek involuntary placement for any adult seen as a danger to him-self or others.

· Seek legal intervention or criminal charges against any perpetrator of abuse/neglect of any at-risk or incompetent adult.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: There are no supervisor requirements for this position.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information and personal files maintained within Social Service Division, we must always maintain strict confidentiality.

EDUCATION and /or EXPERIENCE:

· Bachelor’s degree required.

· 2 (two) years’ experience in human services or related field is PREFERRED.

OTHER SKILLS and/or ABILITIES: Strong communication skills, both oral and written; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Directors, staff, community groups, and other related agencies; Extensive knowledge of asset management including financial resources and property, Must have the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; Shall have ability to quickly acquire or have working knowledge of grants and contracts; Must have skill to learn and apply federal and state statutes and regulations impacting the Programs of the Division; experience in the development, implementation, and monitoring of specialized social and developmental programs.

Required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment when reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or maltreated child where the parent or guardian, custodian, or other person legally responsible for such child, information come before you, facts, condition, or circumstance which if correct, work render the child an abused or maltreated child, (SSL 415) Mandated Reporters in New York State – certain professionals are required by law to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the New York State Central Registry the law also assigns civil and criminal liability to those professionals who do not comply with their mandated reporter responsibilities.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to express ideas and use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Must be at least 18 years of age, have and maintain a valid driver’s license with a clean driver abstract in accordance with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Fleet Policy.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe strives to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to the policy of nondiscrimination based on race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, physical disability, veteran status or any other non-job- related factor.

The successful candidate must pass a drug test for illegal substances prior to employment being confirmed.

The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check, as well as, a State Central Registry Clearance prior to employment.