COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT - 40001475

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Positions in this class work with the elderly, disabled and/or families with dependent children in local departments of Social Services to provide training the household management, personal care, and community living skills. Work involves: demonstrating, accompanying, and working along side clients to show them how to manage money, select and prepare nutritious and inexpensive meals, care for the family and/or the family's personal health and cleanliness; discussing basic child reading practices and discipline techniques; taking clients to medical, social, and educational resources to assure they receive services; assist them occasionally in locating housing or job placements and working out details of furnishings, transportation, or day care as needed; occasionally leading recreational activities, may conduct group classes in sewing, cooking, etc. when several clients are identified with similar needs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides supportive services to families with children in DSS custody; supervise visitations; transports clients to and from medical, dental and therapy appointments; provides in-home services to families in the areas of shopping, budgeting and money management, housekeeping skills, community resources and location of housing. Experience working with families and children highly desired. Must have knowledge of Durham County supportive resources. Requires demonstrated possession of knowledge, skills and abilities gained through two years of experience in performing similar instructional and community placement tasks; or graduation from a two-year associate degree program designed to prepare support personnel for human services agencies which includes a six month practice/internship in a similar setting. 

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Individual Training-Considerable knowledge of and skill in enlisting available community supportive resources for individuals served.

• Considerable knowledge of social, economic, and environmental conditions of clients to be served.

• Considerable knowledge of various types of housing and potential employers for skilled and non-skilled areas.

• Skill in basic reading, writing, and simple mathematics.

• Skill in appraising needs and exercising good judgment in decision-making.

• Skill in establishing rapport with clients and variety of service delivery disciplines and community business personnel.

• Ability to verbally communicate findings.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Demonstrated possession of knowledges, skills, and abilities gained through at least one year of experience in performing tasks similar to the ones assigned. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Availability for evening and weekend hours.

Requires a valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable three -year driving record and a vehicle.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

Preference will be given to applicants who graduated from a two-year associate degree program designed to prepare support personnel for human services agencies which includes a six month practice/internship in a similar setting (one year of the above experience may be substituted for the practice).

Preference will be given to candidates with bilingual skills.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT:

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.