The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities and hospital services.

The main office for DBHDD is located in downtown Atlanta, GA.

Job Description

Job Title:  Licensed Social Worker- Region 5

Pay Grade: K

Job Summary:

The person in this position has a vital role in establishing and reviewing services for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities under the NOW/COMP Medicaid Waiver Program. The clinician in this field position is a part of the Intake & Evaluation Team operating within the DBHDD Region 5 Field Office.   Social workers are responsible for completing assessments for individuals seeking, maintaining, and changing services.  They determine appropriate services and alternate plans of care, as well as perform safety reviews and clinically approve Individualized Support Plans ensuring information (medical, psychological and financial) is appropriate to meet the clinically assessed needs.

Job Responsibilities include:

• Advocates in order to coordinate required services and supports or to resolve crises
• Identifies environmental impediments to health and safety and reports accordingly
• Processes, through clinical review, support plans for others to provide, monitor, and coordinate services to meet individual needs
• Communicates with support coordinators, and providers of services to maintain process flow through IDDC management system
• Provides training and technical support to stakeholders, individuals, and families on an as needed basis
• Develops and maintains strong inter-agency relationships in the community
• Refers individuals and families to additional available resources to extend circle of support

Qualifications:

Master's degree in a related area from an accredited college or university AND licensure in the area of assignment AND Two years of related post-license experience OR Master's degree in a related area from an accredited college or university AND licensure in the area of assignment AND Two years of experience at the lower level Social Worker, Licensed 2 (HCP051) or position equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications - External:                                                                                                                                                     

Two years of experience providing therapeutic counseling, case management and coordination services, and assessments for court depositions, legal proceedings, and/or eligibility determinations. 

One year of experience in human services setting, requiring use of clinical assessments, interviewing, and/or written reports of assessment findings.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are needed.  

Great customer service skills, strong team player with commitment to quality work in a fast-paced environment.

Experience in the field of Intellectual/developmental disabilities highly desirable.  Familiarity with IDDC state-wide database system a plus

Computer experience that includes Microsoft Word, Excel and E-Mail.

NOTE: This position is located at the DBHDD Region 5 Field Office in Savannah, Georgia. DBHDD Region 5 service individual residing in the following counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Bleckley, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Dodge, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Pulaski, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Wayne, Wheeler, and Wilcox. The person will be expected to travel across the 24-county region, if needed

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits

Employment Requirements
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia.

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:

• Drug Screening
• TB Evaluation
• Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.