Social Worker IV

Social Worker IV A/B

Under general direction, the Social Worker IV A/B performs case work of an advanced nature dealing with complex individual and family problems; undertakes intensive treatment plans and counseling requiring professional knowledge and training; performs other related work as assigned.

Social Worker IV A/B requires a Master's degree and social work case management experience in a public or private social services agency. This is the highest non-supervisory level in the series. Incumbents perform case work requiring the application of high level and sophisticated social services expertise and techniques, generally in areas such as adult and child protective services.

The MQ patterns of the SW IV-B mirror the patterns for the SW IV-A. The distinguishing difference is that the SW IV-B requires one additional year of experience from what is required for the SW IV-A.

Social Worker IV differs from the next higher class of Social Worker Supervisor I in that the latter is the first supervisory level. Social Worker IV differs from Social Worker III in that the latter does not require both a Master's degree and qualifying experience.

The Monterey County Department of Social Services offers an Employment Bonus up to $5,000 to candidates hired into a full-time Social Worker IV/V permanent position (subject to qualification & taxation).

Flexible staffing:

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

Bilingual Desirable:

English/Spanish bilingual skills are desirable for this position, but not required as a condition of employment.

Supervision Exercised and Received:

Social Worker IV A/B receives supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor or other higher-level supervisor or manager pursuant to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) Division 31 regulations (31.070). A Social Worker IV A/B may provide lead direction to lower level Social Workers or service employees.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs case studies for the purpose of assessing problems and determining appropriate types and methods of treatment.
• Develops intensive long or short-term treatment plans, which require a comprehensive fund of professional knowledge with the aim of improving or restoring individual or family functioning.
• Ensures all services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive and appropriate manner and
• Acts as a casework consultant to staff members without professional training.
• Functions at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, protective services, medical social work, family services, community organization and research.
• May perform the following specific types of counseling: marital, family inter-relationship, protective services for children or adults incapable of self-care.
• Investigates and provides services to children where their physical or emotional welfare is involved such as cases of neglect, abuse, emotional or behavioral problems, physical or mental disabilities, or other health conditions involving a child's personality; unmarried parenthood; conflict in parent-child relationships; lack of proper guardianship of a child; problems in school or community relationships; inadequate child care arrangements by working parents or the absence of one parent from the home and its effects on the stability of the child's home.
• Receives reports of children, dependent adults and elderly abuse; investigates allegations by conducting interviews with victims and others; assesses situations to protect vulnerable adults and children and recommends, implements and monitors alternate placement, may remove children from unsafe situations; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may be required to work on-call; may testify in court; supports witnesses and victims who must testify in court.
• Assesses prospective foster and adoptive parents; matches children with adoptive/foster parents, and counsels foster and adoptive families.
• Refers clients to other staff members
• Coordinates and directly monitors family visitations to assess progress toward the case plan goals.
• Interprets and explains rules, regulations and policies to clients and applicants.
• Maintains casework records and handles relevant correspondence.
• Develops and prepares court report, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systems.
• Operates a personal computer and other office equipment; enters and retrieves data and narratives from automated computer systems.
• Prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations, and case plans to clients, families, and service providers.
• Communicates effectively with clients and others in writing, in person, and over the telephone.
• Analyzes data, interprets directions, procedures and regulations, and develops appropriate responses.
• Performs job duties under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Responds appropriately to situations.
• Maintains confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates who are within six months of meeting the educational requirements for this classification may be admitted to the examination, provided they complete the requirement and submit proof of graduation prior to appointment.

Social Worker IV A Pattern 1: A master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university; OR Pattern 2: A master's degree from an accredited two (2) year counseling program*; *Qualifying counseling degrees from a two (2) year counseling program includes: Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Gerontology, Counseling Psychology. OR Pattern 3: One (1) year of full-time experience performing advanced journey (equivalent to a MSS SW III) level social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency and master's degree in social or behavioral science, psychology, anthropology, sociology and counseling education.

Social Worker IV B (This level is for candidates with a master's degree and experience. Experience during an internship does not count at this level). Pattern 1: A master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of full-time experience performing social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency; OR Pattern 2: A master's degree from an accredited college or university two (2) year counseling program* and one (1) year of full-time experience performing social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency; *Qualifying counseling degrees from a two (2) year counseling program includes: Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Gerontology, Counseling Psychology. OR Pattern 3: Two (2) years of full-time experience performing advanced journey (equivalent to a MSS SW III) level social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency and master's degree in social or behavioral science, psychology, anthropology, sociology and counseling education.

Supplemental Information

• The Employment Bonus is paid in the employee's paycheck as follows:
• 20% upon hire (1st paycheck)
• 30% after the completion of 90 days of employment
• 50% at the completion of one calendar year of service
• 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