Social Worker I

Position Information Performs basic social services casework; identifies client needs for more intensive casework services and provides referrals; carries a caseload of moderately difficult cases; manages a caseload of increasingly difficult cases; and performs other related work as assigned. Social Worker I Working under close supervision, Social Worker I is the entry/trainee class in the professional Social Worker series. Employees in this class are learning casework methods, procedures, policies and carry a limited non‑complex social services caseload under close supervision and receive in‑service training; are given close and constant supervision while learning social work principles, social service programs, basic case work methods and techniques, and departmental rules, regulations and procedures. Typical assignments are within child welfare and adult services programs; however, at the agency's discretion positions may be assigned to employment services to perform social services case work for employment services clients as required by department needs. As requisite skill and knowledge is developed, greater independence and the full scope of responsibility is exercised. Unless a position is permanently allocated to the Social Worker I level due to the nature of the work, employees are expected to advance to the Social Worker II after one year of satisfactory performance at the trainee level. Social Worker II Working under general direction, Social Worker II is the journey level in the Social Worker series. Employees at this level are expected to carry a full caseload of moderately difficult cases requiring greater skill and depth of job knowledge in assessing problem situations and formulating plans for service. Typical assignments are within child welfare and adult services programs; however, at the agency’s discretion, Social Worker II may be assigned to employment services to perform social services case work for employment services clients as required by department needs. Employees work with a high degree of independence in administering services and in using agency or community resources. Some positions may determine initial and continuing eligibility for one or more aid programs. Social Worker II differs from Social Worker III in that the latter is the advanced journey level, assigned the more complex cases, specialized functions and/or leadworker duties. SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED Incumbents in the Social Worker I/II classification receive direct supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor, or other higher‑level supervisor or manager. Examples of Duties Conducts interviews with clients, family members, and others in their home, in the office, or via telephone to assess the basic social, physical, and mental needs of clients and obtain health information in order to identify and provide social services Performs case studies and evaluates individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determines appropriate types and methods of treatment Assess reports of suspected abuse; may be required to work on‑call; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys Develops and carries out culturally sensitive non‑complex to moderate treatment plans for an assigned caseload in conformance with agency, state and federal requirements; assists clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish case plan goals Refers clients to other staff members, or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary; advocates on the clients' behalf for most appropriate services including enabling services Assists applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources Interprets policies, rules, and regulations of the agency to applicants, clients and others within the scope of their responsibility Makes home visits in connection with casework assignments Prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations and case plans to clients, families and service providers May testify in court May be assigned to specialized functions Participates in in‑service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve technical competence Receives casework consultation from professionally trained staff members Provides community outreach for various agency programs Maintains client confidentiality; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics Performs related duties as assigned Social Worker II Duties Carries a caseload that includes cases with problems of moderate difficulty. Counsels or supports clients with complex or specialized needs; provides crisis intervention. Provides self‑help information, education, and services; works with client and caregivers to develop and improve caregiving and independent living skills. Obtains and evaluates policy, medical, and psychological reports. May serve as mentor to staff, orient staff, provides training and guidance on cases. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS Knowledge Of Principles and practices of organization, workload management and time management Principles and practices of note taking, report writing, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling Phone etiquette and interview techniques Socio‑economic conditions and trends Basic principles of individual and group behavior Current issues in the field of social welfare Role and responsibilities of social workers Principles of interviewing and problem‑solving methodology Basic public welfare programs on the Federal, State, and local level General principles of public assistance policies and programs Developing and preparing court report, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systems Entering and retrieving data and narratives from automated computer systems Basic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording of social casework Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency and the role of a social worker Community organization and the social problems calling for the use of public and private community resources Basic principles involved in the nature, growth, and development of personality and in‑group processes The medical, legal, economic, and social management needs of individuals and families with special medical needs such as HIV disease, drug dependency, the medically fragile child, Alzheimer's, and the terminally ill The strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the potential for suicide Basic psychopathology, the different types of mental illness diagnoses, how mental illness affects human behavior and mental health services and treatments utilized by clients Ability To Understand and learn the agency programs, policies, and procedures Obtain facts and recognize the relevance and significance Organize and maintain work detail Establish and maintain effective client rapport and professional working relationships with agency staff, clients, and others Communicate effectively, both orally (phone and in person) and in writing Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action Interpret and explain to the applicant, recipient, or others public social service programs, policies, rules, and regulations Develop skill in interviewing case recording and interpretation Work within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and services Maintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations Work effectively in emotionally charged or stressful settings/emergencies Operate a personal computer and other office equipment and software Analyze data, interpret and apply directions, rules, policies, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses Accept and use constructive feedback Interact professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, or distressed clients Respect cultural differences Work with cases varying in difficulty /clients including clients with dual diagnoses, potentially dangerous clients or legally complex cases Analyze data from multiple sources, interpret and apply complex directions, rules, policies, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses Minimum Qualifications Pattern 1: Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university; OR Pattern 2: Successful completion of thirty (30) college semester units or forty‑five (45) quarter units from an accredited college or university, including fifteen (15) semester units or twenty‑two and a half (22.5) quarter units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other social or behavioral science*; AND One (1) year of full‑time experience in the Social Service Aide, Eligibility Specialist II, Employment and Training Worker II or comparable classification; or Three (3) years of full‑time experience providing direct client services to disadvantaged adults or children in a private or public agency. Examples of acceptable social or behavioral science courses include: anthropology, criminal justice, education, ethnic studies, history, human development, human services, law, nursing, nutrition, psychology, public health, social welfare, sociology, welfare, women's studies. Supplemental Information The ability to speak, read and write Spanish in addition to English would be an asset in this position is optional. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job related duties must possess a valid CA Driver License for the class vehicle driven. The Department of Social Services will conduct a thorough background and reference check process which includes a Department of Justice fingerprint check. Employees must have and show their original Social Security Card and a valid CA Driver License or CA State ID on the first day of work. Government agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. A background check may be required if the position requires access to these types of records. Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification, and local law enforcement checks. Applicable agencies must conduct an investigation during the time of hire and ensure a reinvestigation is conducted 5 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. Benefit Summary Sheet "K" #J-18808-Ljbffr