Social Worker II

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. 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. Duties Conduct 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. Perform case studies and evaluate individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determine 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. Develop and carry out culturally sensitive non‑complex to moderate treatment plans for an assigned caseload in conformance with agency, state and federal requirements; assist clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish case plan goals. Refer clients to other staff members, or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary; advocate on the clients' behalf for most appropriate services including enabling services. Assist applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources. Interpret policies, rules, and regulations of the agency to applicants, clients and others within the scope of their responsibility. Make home visits in connection with casework assignments. Prepare and maintain case records and databases; communicate decisions, timelines, recommendations and case plans to clients, families and service providers. May testify in court. May be assigned to specialized functions. Participate in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve technical competence. Receive casework consultation from professionally trained staff members. Provide community outreach for various agency programs. Maintain client confidentiality; perform all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Perform related duties as assigned. Carry a caseload that includes cases with issues of moderate difficulty. Counsel or support clients with complex or specialized needs; provide crisis intervention. Provide self‑help information, education, and services; work with client and caregivers to develop and improve caregiving and independent living skills. Obtain and evaluate policy, medical, and psychological reports. May serve as mentor to staff, orient staff, provide training and guidance on cases.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge 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 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 and 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: One (1) year of full‑time experience performing entry level social work case management in the Social Worker I classification in an Interagency Merit System (IMS) county. OR Pattern 2: One (1) year of full‑time social work case management experience; AND 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*; 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. Qualifying social work case management includes direct case work management, such as: assessment, evaluation; conducting investigations of abuse and neglect; preparing court reports; responsibility for a long‑term caseload, monitoring compliance through home calls and other personal contact; collaboration with other agencies and linking clients to resources and programs; development of a case plan, modification of case plans as needed/required; and authority to impose sanctions or implement actions that impact services. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Santa Fe Springs