CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST, GS-0101-7/9

Duties

NOTE: If the position is filled at a lower grade level, subsequent promotion to the next grade level will be processed without further competition under the Merit Promotion Program at such time as performance and qualification requirements are met and classification review discloses the duties being performed properly warrant classification to the next higher grade level.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES**:**· Devises, improvises, and adapts these various programs to the wide range of subject cases and needs and to meet the limitation of funds facilities and other staff support available.
· Provides counseling services to programs participants (victims, families and others), modifying, adapting, expanding and otherwise changing counseling plans and procedures in order to meet specific needs and enable clientele to put counseling into action.
· Functions as the client advocate in securing total assistance package (including foster home and institutional placement) and monitors progress to insure that essential services are provided and that formalized treatment goals (social and medical) are achieved to the fullest possible extent.
· Collaborates with aid organizations, church leaders, community social service assets, case workers, employment agencies and other social welfare and health agencies in order to provide appropriate services.
· Works closely with and provides assistance to law enforcement agencies and judicial staffs to emphasize Child Welfare and protection.
· Functions as an active information and public relations resource for the community regarding child welfare and protection.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0101: Social Science Series). 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL GRADES**:**  
A.           Degree: Behavioral or Social Sciences; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
ORB.           Combination of education and experience-that provided the applicant with the knowledge of one or more of the Behavioral or Social Sciences equivalent to a major in the field (i.e., 24 semester hours in behavioral or social sciences; or a discipline directly related to this position).
                                        ORC.           Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a 4-year degree. 

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED**:**  In addition to meeting the basic entry level qualification requirements, applicants must have the following:

GS-9**:**  1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience involves direct provision of Child Welfare Services and includes, but is not limited to, work involving applying practical knowledge of a wide range of social casework, family therapy, systems theory and community organization; providing support work of child welfare services; and maintaining a formalized case management system which documents the workflow of case services with individual case plans.  These examples are not all inclusive (refer to the summary of duties for specialized experience) OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position.

GS-7**:**  1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes, but is not limited to, work involving applying practical knowledge of a wide range of social casework, family therapy, systems theory and community organization; providing support work of child welfare services; and maintaining a formalized case management system which documents the workflow of case services with individual case plans.  These examples are not all inclusive (refer to the summary of duties for specialized experience) OR 1 year of directly related graduate-level education or superior academic achievement.

SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT**:**  Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.  S.A.A. is based on (1) Class standing-applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; or (2) Grade-Point Average-applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) Election to membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society – membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION**:**If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Dept of Ed.