Social Services Specialist

State of Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - West Lafayette, IN

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Social Services Specialist at the Indiana Veterans' Home is responsible for providing high-quality care and support to veterans and their families. This role involves evaluating treatment plans, coordinating social services programs, and serving as a liaison with community agencies. The specialist will work closely with residents, families, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure effective treatment and support for mental and behavioral health needs.

Responsibilities

• Discuss and remedy treatment problems associated with individual cases, program or department policy and/or standards of professional discipline.
• Assume responsibility over major components of the social services department such as all community programs or all clinical services.
• Evaluate treatment plan formulation and effectiveness and make changes within social services as necessary.
• Make recommendations to the department director regarding departmental procedure and policy changes.
• Serve as liaison with the community, schools, and other public service agencies explaining services and mission of agency social work.
• Assist director in establishing referral relationships with other public and private service agencies and in arranging clinical training experiences for students.
• Execute treatment through private consultations and group meetings.
• Meet periodically with treatment staff from other disciplines to handle more difficult cases effectively and to coordinate an interdisciplinary approach to treatment.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling and Guidance, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, Criminology, Social Work, or a related area required.
• Two (2) years of full-time experience in a psychiatric, group, medical, children, family, or correctional setting.
• Thorough knowledge of community social service agencies.
• Ability to supervise and plan the coordination of social service programs with other related agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of psychiatric social work including social adjustment and rehabilitation, mental illness, personality development, casework, group counseling work, and community placement.
• Thorough knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines for the care, treatment, and rights of the mentally ill.
• Working knowledge of the role of other treatment disciplines and ability to effectively coordinate interdisciplinary approach to treatment.
• Working knowledge of administrative and personnel techniques as related to the effective supervision and direction of programs.
• Ability to assume responsibility of agency-wide social services programs in absence of director.
• Ability to analyze program needs and effectiveness and to formulate plans for change to more adequately carry out the mission of the department.
• Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.

Nice-to-haves

• Long-term care experience
• Mental and behavioral health experience

Benefits

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid new parent leave, Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access