Social/Family Service Worker Trainee

Salary: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 Annually
Location : Freehold, NJ 07728
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-55
Department: Division of Behavioral Health
Opening Date: 10/22/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
TITLE: Social/Family Service Worker Trainee

WORKING TITLE: Monmouth ACTS Behavioral Health Specialist

OVERVIEW: Monmouth ACTS is a public private partnership that brings together County government and community-based organizations in an effort to effectively meet human service needs and improve quality of life for Monmouth County residents. Monmouth ACTS has launched a comprehensive service navigation system to streamline and improve access to supports across the human service spectrum. The Monmouth ACTS Navigation System includes a warm line function. We are currently seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist with experience in the fields of mental health and substance use to operate the warm line performing the essential functions detailed below.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1.Answers the Monmouth ACTS Warm Line in a manner that is engaging and encourages resident hope and resilience in meeting their social service needs.

2.Assesses the social service needs of residents over the telephone, asks questions regarding their social, economic, and emotional situation, records their responses to gain an understanding of their needs. Asks appropriate questions to gain an understanding of core needs or underlying needs.

3.Provides residents with emotional support, and with information about resources available to meet their needs.

4.Provides residents with information about appropriate Monmouth County behavioral health resources.

5. Responds to callers needing crisis intervention by providing an immediate three-way warm hand off to appropriate crisis intervention entity (Substance Use and Recovery Supports, Behavioral Health, Homelessness). Effectively de-escalates callers over the phone and collects enough information to make the most appropriate crisis referral.

6.Utilize a web-based assessment and referral system.

7.Determines when a caller should be referred to a Community Based Service Coordination component of the Navigation System and completes that referral in a timely manner.

8. Convenes behavioral health organizations and providers to develop streamlined referral processes and work toward an organized system of care.

9.Attends and/or facilitates Monmouth ACTS meetings and familiarizes self with existing systems of service.

10.Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community-based behavioral health agencies.

11. Performs regular outreach to communities and behavioral health providers to raise awareness and utilization of the Monmouth ACTS Navigation System.

11.Prepares and/or directs the preparation of various reports and documents, as required.

12. All other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.

Minimum of four (4) years of experience in the planning, organization or delivery of services and supports to Monmouth County residents. A minimum of two (2) years of direct mental health and/or substance use experience is strongly preferred.

OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university required, with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, Human Services, Public Health, or related field required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of and familiarity with behavioral health services and resources local to Monmouth County. A systems level understanding of available resources, referral processes and how to connect residents with behavioral health supports seamlessly.

• Knowledge of social and emotional needs of adults dealing with issues related to mental health, substance use, and other challenges, and methods to maximize the success of this population.
• Knowledge of objectives and activities of varied types of social service agencies and human service programs, and their relationship to the activities, interests, and problems of children, families, and individual adults.
• Knowledge of social case work theory and practices.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, timely, accurate, and informative reports.
• Knowledge of the various types of human services programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally in public and individually.
• Strong computer skills, with proficiency in all Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English clearly and sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential function as well as possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for the position. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Please be advised, all Monmouth County positions are on site. There are no provisions to work remotely.

For a full New Jersey Civil Service job description, please go to:
Monmouth County offers generous health and wellness benefits to full-time employees and their eligible dependents. Competitive plans include medical, prescription, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and an award-winning wellness program. Part-time employees who work an average of 30 or more hours per week over the course of a year may also elect these benefits.

Eligible employees* are enrolled in the New Jersey State Pension and Group Life Insurance, and enjoy a bank of vacation, personal, and sick days as well as a substantial paid holiday package.

Additional retirement/deferred compensation plans - 457 (b), short-term disabiity, whole life insurance, cancer, critical illness, and accident plans are also available as voluntary benefits.

Monmouth County is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer. Go to: for more information.

*Seasonal and temporary employees are not eligible.

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