Social Worker-Youth Opportunity & Diversion Alternatives

Salary: $56,096.00 Hourly
Location : Courthouse Complex - Frederick, MD
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: FY24-00336
Department: State's Attorney
Opening Date: 01/02/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
JOB INFORMATION
Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; full-benefits; grant-funded
The Youth Opportunity & Diversion Alternatives Program (YODA) Social Worker position works within the State's Attorney's Offices Juvenile Division and will allow meaningful diversion opportunities for youth exhibiting behaviors that put them at risk of future delinquency. YODA was established to allow youth the opportunity to learn from their mistakes without becoming part of the formal juvenile court system. These youth will be educated and offered services without the stigma of prosecution. The YODA Social Worker will be responsible for assessing youth that are referred to the diversion programs and utilize a mental health lens to determine their needs and their strengths. In addition to the initial assessment, the YODA Social Worker will manage a case load of youth and will provide short-term mentorship by referring the family to services for a longer-term connection. The YODA Social Worker will be responsible for collecting feedback from every youth and family involved, for collecting youth-voice from the community on the programming offered in the YODA Program, as well as for reporting the YODA program's accessibility and effectiveness with all races, ethnicities, and genders. Supervision is received from the Chief Assistant State's Attorney for the Juvenile Division.
Frederick County Government recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc

Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide case management including short-term mentoring, assistance, crisis management to juveniles and their caregivers; connect juveniles to longer-term community resources
• Screen requests for YODA services, collect intake documents; conduct initial assessment to assess youth needs; develop plan of action
• Review and analyze referrals into the YODA program from the SAO Juvenile Division, police agencies, schools, and caregivers
• Evaluate and screen each juvenile using an evidence-based assessment tool to determine the youth's strengths, needs and root cause for problems
• Analyze assessments and all other information to formulate a diversion contract with the youth and his/her caregivers; review contract regularly with the YODA Program Team
• Contact juveniles regularly to monitor needs and service delivery; provide frequent contact to caregivers
• Conduct juvenile in-home visits as determined necessary by the YODA Program Team
• Attend weekly YODA Program Team Meetings; collaborate with the team regarding the needs of the youth
• Provide all case documentation to the YODA Program Team; recommend case closures
• Communicate with the referring party at initial assessment and at the time of case closure
• Collaborate with family members, caregivers, and service providers to ensure clients' needs are met
• Attend and facilitate agency related meetings
• Perform public outreach regarding the YODA Program
• Develop and facilitate prevention and education programs that support child safety and crime prevention in our community and schools
• Drive county vehicle to meet with youth, families and community members in their homes or schools
• Perform other duties as required

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Master's degree in Social Work
• Current Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) licensure issued from the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Considerable knowledge of community resources with a focus on the juvenile population and resources available to youth
• Considerable knowledge of issues that impact the juvenile population
• Knowledge of human behavior, human growth and development, interviewing techniques and social work principles and methods
• Knowledge of the effects of trauma, ACEs, and mental health disorders on the juvenile population
• Ability to assess juveniles for their strengths, needs, and ACEs
• Ability to implement juvenile diversion contracts, ie., service plans
• Ability to recognize and overcome barriers to service implementation
• Strong case management skills including the ability to demonstrate creativity and initiative coordinating appropriate referrals to community agencies and resources.
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to effectively conduct client interviews; clearly convey client needs and participate in case management team meetings, and the ability to effectively complete initial and on-going client assessments, and service plans
• Ability to effectively access and use computerized systems and equipment
• Ability to function as a member of team
• Ability to work with sensitive, personal information and maintain appropriate confidentiality
• Ability to effectively organize work, establish priorities, and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with juveniles, hard-to-sere populations, co-workers, professionals and other colleagues as well as the general public, with special sensitivity to the needs and priorities of youth
• Ability to compile and prepare unbiased, factual reports of findings
• Ability to advocate for client needs
• Ability to work with persons who have mental health issues and risk factors

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Experience working with juveniles
• Case management work experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit and walk; and occasionally climb, stoop and drive
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors; frequently work outdoors and walk on uneven ground

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Ability to provide own transportation to training sessions, home visits, meetings
• Available for varied working hours to accommodate meetings and appointments
• Required licenses must be current throughout employment with Frederick County
• This position is subject to random drug testing

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):
1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. Job related office skills testing
3. One or more interviews
4. A pre-employment background investigation conducted, reviewed and approved by the SAO
5. A pre-employment drug test to include marijuana
This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.
Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.
Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment
NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.
Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.
Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.
Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.
Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.
Leave
Annual Leave - Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 - 2 years 11 days
2 - 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days
Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.
Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.
NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.
Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.
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