Social Worker Assistant

Position Summary

The Department of Psychiatry seeks a Mentor (Social Worker Assistant) to work in Genesee County to be responsible for supervising, engaging with, and ensuring services for adolescents in the Adolescent Targeted Violence Prevention Program. This is a community outreach endeavor aimed at providing intensive individualized supports to students, schools, and communities throughout the state of Michigan.

• Provides daily guidance, direction, and supervision of identified at-risk adolescents to enhance their personal, vocational, and educational growth.
• Sets educational, and vocational goals with mentee; monitors and documents progress toward goals
• Collaborates with regional case worker on daily basis regarding services needed, obtained, and utilized
• Collaborates with stakeholders to ensure individualized systems of care are utilized
• Collaborates with parents, teachers, special education directors, probation officers, therapists, community mental health associates, and physicians to ensure designated services are being utilized

• Assists the educational provider in the delivery of appropriate school accommodation and engagement in school related activities as needed
• Assist the case manager and clinical provider(s)in providing appropriate emotional supports to youth
• Participates in staffing and team meetings as requested to discuss observations of youth behavior
• Serves as an empathetic listener to school officials, at-risk adolescents, and their families on topics such as family, problems, court hearings, and/or homework, and general interpersonal relationships
• Prepares reports and documents, summarizes youth progress, incidents, behavior, and other required information for use by Program leadership
• Intervenes as necessary in crisis situations, arranging for the necessary assessment and care of the at-risk youth
• Immediately report any suspected high-risk behavior, abuse or neglect of youth

While this position is designated as remote, it is not a work-from-home position.  Mentors are not assigned an office on MSU’s campus; rather they are expected to meet with adolescents and their families, schools, and community agencies in/around the districts they are assigned to on a daily basis.

The position is an off-date position funded through September 30, 2027, with possibility of extension based on the successful achievement of work goals and the availability of grant funds.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related human services field; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in counseling in a health/mental health environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Valid state issued Driver's License.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, education, or related field, with demonstrated experience working with adolescents
• Three to five years of progressively more responsible work experience with adolescents
• Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain, and enhance strong relationships with parents, teachers, guidance counselors, mental health providers and/or other community resource providers, adolescents, and their families
• Demonstrated problem solving skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience working with adolescents or with K-12 schools
• Training in crisis intervention, risk assessment, threat assessment and/or working within a behavioral assessment teams
• Demonstrated experience working within a behavioral assessment team
• Superior interpersonal, coaching and communication skills to effectively work within a multi-disciplinary team setting

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and names and contact information for three professional references, with at least one from a current/former employer. 

Special Instructions

Applicants must apply through the MSU Human Resources careers website at http://careers.msu.edu/cw/en-us/listing/ and upload the requested documentation.  Please note that review of applications will not begin until the position is closed.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded until 09/30/2027 with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal

Website

https://prevent2protect.msu.edu/about/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 07/22/2025 at 11:55 PM