Social Services Specialist

Salary: $37,597.24 – $39,477.10 Annually

Location : Jacksonville, FL

Job Type: Civil Service

Job Number: 2023-05590

Department: PARKS, RECREATION & COMM SVCS

Opening Date: 09/12/2023

Closing Date: 9/19/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Description

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!!

The Park, Recreation & Comm SVCS Department is actively seeking a Social Services Specialist

Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have 12 paid holidays and a personal leave day as well? In addition, to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of public service and on-time payments.

This is professional work in providing social services to qualified clients. Work requires knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures used in the varied benefits, social services, and public assistance-related programs which involves the use of specialized skills, which is acquired through a combination of training and considerable on the job experience. Contacts require skills in understanding and/or influencing people and are important in providing client services, including skills of persuasiveness, assertiveness, and sensitivity to others point of view that are required to influence behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around. The work is semi-routine in that tasks are covered by procedures or precedents, but some latitude is permitted to consider the most appropriate method, technique or procedure to follow; however, the work also involves differing situations requiring comparison of problem elements to reference points within one’s own experience and exercise of judgment to match the prior decision. Work is performed primarily in an office environment though the employee may be required to make field visits to clients in order to provide or ascertain services needed. The physical demands consist mainly of sitting at a work station for extended periods of time, using standard office equipment, such as personal computers using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and other related software, peripheral and electronic devices, copiers, calculators and other related equipment on an ongoing basis, occasionally lifting and moving light objects, such as file boxes, weighing less than 40 pounds, and visiting clients who are homebound, in hospitals, or in nursing homes. Operates a motor vehicle. The work is performed under general supervision where the work assignments are varied, and although subject to standard practices and procedures, the worker is permitted some latitude to set own priorities subject to superior’s approval.

Examples of Work

• Interviews and assesses needs of clients, provides counseling, determines eligibility, and refers clients to appropriate social service or public assistance agencies.
• Visits clients to provide or ascertain services needed.
• Instructs and guides clients in preparing family budgets.
• Represents clients with respect to claims or applications for benefits, social services, and public assistance and appeals of denial of such benefits, services, or assistance.
• Reviews requests for and authorizes payment of social services or public assistance provided to clients through contracted providers such as child day care centers.
• Monitors changes in social service and public assistance-related laws, rules, and regulations.
• Plans, develops, and presents programs to large groups regarding social services-related issues.
• Compiles data and prepares reports and/or oral presentations.
• Responds to inquiries from clients, general public, and private industry regarding available social services and public assistance programs.
• Prepares correspondence and technical reports as required.
• Establishes and maintains records, files, and reports.
• Operates motor vehicles and standard office equipment.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville’s competencies.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local social services and public assistance programs.
• Knowledge of social services and public assistance-related laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Knowledge of medical and legal terminology.
• Skill in interviewing and data-gathering techniques.
• Skill in researching, analyzing, interpreting and applying social services or public assistance-related federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Ability to assess and determine the needs of clients and match such needs to federal, state, and local social services and public assistance programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and make presentations to large groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain records.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to compile and interpret statistical data.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Ability to operate a personal computer using word processing, spreadsheet, and related software applications.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Open Requirements/Supplemental Information

• Four years of education and/or experience in determining eligibility for and providing social services or public assistance-related programs or a related field.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a major in social work, sociology, or psychology is preferred.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

• A valid driver’s license is required prior to appointment and must be maintained.
• Must qualify for prior to appointment, obtain and maintain during employment a City of Jacksonville Certification as a Public Driver.
• Dependent on assignment, CPR and First Aid Certification is required within six months of appointment and must be maintained.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• The probationary period for this class is six (6) months.
• Must pass background screening on a local, state and federal level as required by the State of Florida Children and Family Services or Elder Affairs.
• This position performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville’s Drug Free Workplace Policy (Directive 0401).

A FULLY COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. Apply at Work history is required for all employment/volunteer work in which qualifications are being based. When meeting/basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript, with your social blacked out, is required with your application. Transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the school’s name, classes taken, grades received, type of degree, and date degree was conferred.

The application system works best with Google Chrome or Edge with Chromium web browsers. Please try to apply using one of these browsers.To ensure you receive email notifications, be sure to make “” a trusted sender. You may also track the status of your application and see notifications by logging into your account.

Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and the family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

If claiming veteran’s preference, you must attach a DD-214 (Member Form-4 copy) or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing military status, dates of service and character of discharge. You must also attach the Veterans Preference Certification Form and if applicable, the additional forms as noted here:

If a candidate believes he or she was not afforded veteran’s preference, he or she may file a written complaint, within 60 calendar days upon receipt of notification of the hiring decision, requesting an investigation to:

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
Attention: Veterans’ Preference Coordinator
11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K
Largo, FL 33778-1630
Email:

The City of Jacksonville provides a wide array of benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Our comprehensive benefit programs include medical, dental and vision plans; life insurance coverage for you and your dependents; flexible spending plans for medical reimbursement, dependent care, parking, and transit expenses; an employee assistance program for you and your dependents; a 457(b) tax-deferred compensation plan to supplement your retirement, and a ROTH IRA plan. We also provide an extensive wellness program that includes a health intervention program if qualified, lunch and learns, health fairs, and discounted gym memberships. Please visit the Employee Benefits website for details on all the plans we offer.

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Copying and pasting your resume or stating “see resume” does NOT fulfill the requirements of the question. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship from the City of Jacksonville either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you able to pass a background screening on a local, state and federal level as required by the State of Florida Children and Family Services?

• Yes
• No

04

The budgeted annual salary for this position is $37,597.24- $ 39,477.10. This is not negotiable. If selected, would you be willing to accept this position at this salary? (Civil Service positions have a 5% increase after successfully completing probation.)

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have four years of education and/or experience in determining eligibility for and providing social services or public assistance-related programs or a related field?

• Yes, I have four years of education and/or experience in determining eligibility for and providing social services or public assistance-related programs.
• Yes, I have four years of education and/or experience in a related field.
• None of the above

06

If you stated you have experience, provide a detailed description (at least 3-4 complete sentences) of your experience.

07

Indicate the organization(s) you worked for where you gained this experience.

08

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a major in social work, sociology, or psychology is preferred. Do you have a bachelor’s degree in the related field mentioned above?

• Yes
• No

09

If you have a degree, indicate which degree you have and include any major/minor. If basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript is required with your application.

10

Do you have a valid motor vehicle operator license that is not under suspension/revocation or restricted under any pending or current citations/court proceedings? Please indicate which license you possess.

• FL Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class C Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class E Driver License
• GA Standard Driver’s License
• GA Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• GA Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• GA Class C Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• License from another State.
• Learner Permit
• My license is currently invalid.
• I do not possess any type of Driver’s License.

11

If you have a State of FL license, does your license currently have one or more of these restrictions?

• C or 1 – Business Purpose Only
• D or H – Employment Purposes
• P or 2 – Probation Interlock Devise
• S or I – Other Restriction
• Two or more of these restrictions.
• I have an out of state license.
• None of the above.

12

Have you been cited for more than three (3) moving violations, or two (2) at fault accidents within the past 12 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

13

Have you been considered a “Habitual Traffic Offender” (HTO) within the past 12 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you been convicted of Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) in any state during the last 36 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

15

I consent to the City of Jacksonville using the driver’s license information I have provided to access a driver’s license report from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. I understand if one was accessed with relation to this application, a copy will be provided to me upon request.

• Yes, the City of Jacksonville has my consent to check my driver’s license.
• No, I do not wish to give consent to the City of Jacksonville to check my driver’s license.

16

Provide your full Driver’s License or Identification number. If a correct number is not provided, your application will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification from the selection process.

17

Do you understand this classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville’s Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401)?

• Yes, I have read and understand the statement above.
• No

18

Dependent on assignment, CPR and First Aid Certification is required within six months of appointment and must be maintained.

• I have read the above statement and understand what is required.

19

If you are requesting veterans preference, you MUST download the appropriate state of Florida form (even if you don’t live in Florida) and attach it to your application. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DELAY YOUR VETERANS PREFERENCE STATUS.Please download the forms at http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preference

• Yes, I am claiming veterans preference and I understand that I MUST download the appropriate form and attach it to my application.
• No, I am not claiming veterans preference and this does not apply to me.

20

If basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript is required with your application. College transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the name of the school, type of degree, classes taken, grades received and date degree was conferred. NOTE: A copy of your diploma does not meet this requirement. Transcripts from colleges outside of the U.S. must be converted to U.S. Standards. If required documents are not provided your application will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification from the selection process.

• I have read the above statement and understand what is required.

21

A resume is required. If required documents are not provided your application will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification from the selection process.

• I have read the above statement and understand what is required.

Required Question