 | Class Specification
Protective Services Specialist III
Class Code: PF0203
AKPAY Code: K0113
Class Range: 19
Class Status: Active
Employer: State of Alaska only |
$$WebClient [Applicants]
| Created: |  | |
| 04/24/2012 08:31 AM by lblumbab | | |
| Scope: State of Alaska only |
| Type: Classified Service/Partially Exempt/Excluded |  Viewable by the public |
| Class Title: | Protective Services Specialist III | Class Range: | 19 |
| Class Code: | PF0203 | AKPAY Code: | K0113 |
| Class Status: | Active | Use MJR Form: | Standard |
| Class Outline Category: | B-Professional/Managerial | Group: | PF - Social, Benefit, and Employment Services |
| EEO4: | B - Professionals | Family: | PF02 - Social Work |
| SOC: | 21-1020 - Not Applicable | State/Local: | 02 - Professional |
| Original Date: | 04/24/2012 | Census EEO: | 201 |
| Original Comments: | | Override Local AA Regions: | [this feature not enabled yet]
 No Override of Local AA Region |
| Last Update Comments: | | Last Update (mm/dd/yyyy): | |
| Subsequent Revision Dates/Comments: |
| 07/01/2012 Established; Replacing Social Services Specialist, Social Worker, Social Worker (CS), Children Services Specialist, and Children Services Manager class series (RWeber). |
Series Description:
The Protective Services Specialist class series includes job classes that perform and/or supervise social work program functions at the line level.
Class Definition:
Protective Services Specialist III is the advanced-level of the series. At this level incumbents perform advanced-level casework or serve as a staff consultant or subject matter expert.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is the advanced-level for the Protective Services Specialist series including positions serving in one of the two options:
(1) As an advanced-level caseworker the Protective Services Specialist III provides highly skilled services in cases that are complicated by topics such as media reporting or multiple social problems and cultural issues that require incumbents to have a considerable knowledge of the social work practices and principles and client base.
(2) As a staff consultant or subject matter expert the Protective Services Specialist III provides consultative and program analysis services to individuals, agencies, and organizations or works in a specialty area of social services at the line level. This option includes work such as facilitating Team Decision Meetings, serving as a specialist for the Indian Child Welfare Act or Adoption Specialist.
Protective Services Specialist III is distinguished from the Protective Services Specialist II in that the latter applies knowledge of professional social work principles and methods to a full range of duties and responsibilities common in the delivery of professional social work.
Protective Services Specialist III is distinguished from Protective Services Specialist IV in that the latter are the staff supervisor for journey-level professional staff that perform social work in either a rural or urban office.
Examples of Duties:
Provide highly skilled casework service to individuals or limited caseload of families having very complex personal and social problems.
Organize, develop and coordinate statewide resources to provide licensing and to maintain controls in an adult and child day care operations, assisted living facilities, medical and institutional programs and respite or in-home support.
Participate in a public education program on established and needed care facilities.
Organize or attend conferences and workshops with members of social work and allied professions on standards of specialty.
Represent the agency in child protection court proceedings.
Collaborate with the AAG’s office for trial preparation.
Identify need for services and assist in research and development of resources to meet such needs.
Investigate reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Represent vulnerable adults in legal actions such as guardianship, durable power of attorney, conservatorship, or financial arrangements beneficial to the overall welfare of the individual. May be required to appear in court on behalf of the adult. Advocates for vulnerable adults in legal matters and care planning.
Act as the liaison between residents, families, guardians, conservators and other individuals with the legal right to make decisions regarding a resident’s care.
Represent the agency at community meetings and meetings with social service agencies to educate on the policies, procedures and practices of the agency.
Maintain accurate and reliable records which have potential of being used as legal testimony in court.
Provide family and individual therapy and counseling to residents and family members who experience complex problems such as grief, adjustment to institutional living, guilt and burnout of caretakers, and multiple losses.
Use specialized observation, assessment, and interviewing strategies to assess all pertinent risk and safety factors in a situation of suspected maltreatment, and weigh their relative effects on the overall need for protection of the child.
Record and document the findings of the risk assessment using a standardized instrument.
Determine when emergency protection of a child is necessary and when to access in-home supportive services to protect the child and prevent removal of the child from the home.
Use casework methods at the intake and investigation level to begin to establish a supportive casework relationship, and to involve families in a joint assessment of the need for services.
Gather and weigh pertinent information about referrals from family members, children, relatives, and collateral sources, and make appropriate case dispositions.
Initiate the appropriate court proceedings to obtain emergency custody, when necessary; elicit and document pertinent facts to be included in the preparation of a case for court.
Use specialized investigation methods to assess alleged abuse, neglect or sexual abuse in foster homes and residential care facilities.
Identify the physical, behavioral, and emotional indicators of sexual abuse; assess the risk to a child of remaining in his/her family.
Investigate child abuse or neglect reports, using proper investigation practices and procedures; jointly plan and conduct investigations with local law enforcement agencies.
Assess the elements of coercion and secrecy in sexual abuse cases; structure investigations to determine the risk to the child and implement necessary protective measures accordingly.
Provide mentoring, training, and job shadowing for lower-level staff.
Coordinates and leads multi-disciplinary teams.
Conduct thorough, joint home study assessments with foster and adoptive family applicants, including engaging the family in the home study process, gathering pertinent family assessment information, drawing accurate conclusions, involving the family in self-assessment, educating the family regarding adoption and foster care, and documenting information in a written report.
May be assigned to special projects and/or task forces.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and legal aspects of social work.
Considerable knowledge of the techniques and practices of casework management.
Considerable knowledge of the dynamics of human behavior.
Considerable knowledge of current economic, social and psychological theories and their application to social work problems relating to particular geographic or subject areas.
Considerable knowledge of community, federal, and other state resources.
Working knowledge of methods and practices of client supervision.
Skill in using computers and program databases to document casework and prepare reports and correspondence.
Skill in communicating effectively with others, verbally and in writing.
Ability to develop and implement case plans and/or treatment plans for individuals, families, and/or groups.
Ability to maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
Ability to participate effectively in conferences and interviews.
Ability to function with a high degree of independence.
Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a major in a social, behavioral or health science, law or a closely related field;
AND
One year of full-proficiency level professional experience in child, adult, family, or group social work or licensing experience. This is met by experience as a Protective Services Specialist II or Community Care Licensing Specialist I with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere.
Substitution:
Four years of any combination of postsecondary education (3 semester/ 4 quarter hours equal 1 month of experience) in a social, behavioral or health science, law or a related field and/or paraprofessional experience (any level) providing assistance, information or referrals to the public related to social services, health care or legal services may substitute for the bachelor’s degree.
Required Job Qualifications:
(The special note is to be used to explain any additional information an applicant might need in order to understand or answer questions about the minimum qualifications.)
Special Note:
Some positions require a valid Alaska driver’s license and/or a background investigation including fingerprinting. These requirements will be indicated at the time of recruitment.
Some positions require specific licensure due to funding restrictions.
Minimum Qualification Questions: |