Social Worker IV (Merit Services)

Final Filing Date: February 6, 2025 by 11:59 PM Pacific

JOB NUMBER: MSS05019

Candidates who are within six months of satisfying the education requirement for this classification will be admitted to the

examination, but they must complete the education requirement and provide evidence of graduation prior to appointment.

Under general direction, the Social Worker IV A/8 performs casework 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/8 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 casework 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-8 mirror the patterns for the SW IV-A. The distinguishing difference is that the SW IV-8

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 Ill in that the latter does not require both a Master's degree and qualifying

experience.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

Social Worker IV A/8 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/8 may provide lead direction to lower level Social Workers or service employees.

DESIERABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in Adult Protective Services (APS) and/or Child Protective Services (CPS Candidates with professional

experience in APS and/or CPS, particularly those involving investigation, case management, and direct client services, are

highly desirable. This includes familiarity with state and federal regulations, experience with California Child Welfare

Services (CWS), Case Management System (CMS), and/or LEAPS, and best practices in safeguarding vulnerable

populations.

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.

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.
• Principles and practices of counseling, bio-psychosocial assessments and therapy
• Physical and mental health principles and the impact on the personality.
• Local socio-economic conditions, trends, and current problems and methodology in the field of public social services.
• Basic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording the social casework.
• Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency and the role and responsibilities of

a social worker.

• Community organizations and 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.
• Basic principles of individual and group behavior.
• Current issues in the field of social welfare.
• Principles of analysis and problem-solving methodology.
• Basic public welfare programs on the Federal, State, and local level.
• General principles of public assistance policies and programs.
• 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.

• Strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the

potential for suicide.

• Psychopathology, the different types of mental illness diagnoses, how mental illness affects human behavior and

mental health services and treatments utilized by clients.

• Signs, stages and dynamics of abuse, and the effects of abuse on child/adult development and behavior.
• Signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug use/abuse in adults and children and the effects on families.
• Standards for maintaining clients safely in home; options for placement; effects of removing clients from unsafe

situations.

Ability to:

• Apply the principles of child psychology and family relationships.
• Evaluate personal psychological factors in the child and/or family's situation.
• Recognize signs of abuse for children, the elderly and dependent adults; assess risk factors and potential dangers to

clients.

• Act effectively in stressful situations.
• Demonstrate skill in the more difficult casework areas.
• Accept and use consultative supervision.
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Apply existing laws, rules and regulations to welfare department operations and interpret and explain to the

applicant, recipient, or others public social services programs, policies, rules and regulations.

• Develop skill in interviewing, case recording and interpretation.
• Interact professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, or distressed clients.
• Respect cultural differences.
• Work constructively within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and services.
• Understand and learn the agency programs, policy and procedures.
• Obtain and recognize relevant and significant facts.
• Organize and maintain work detail.
• Relate and work well with agency staff, clients, and others.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain client rapport on an individual basis.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
• Use computers and related software.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff, clients, and outside organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates who are within six months of satisfying the education requirement for this classification will be admitted to the

examination, but they must complete the education requirement and provide evidence 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 Ill) 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 Ill) 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.

DESIERABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in Adult Protective Services (APS) and/or Child Protective Services (CPS Candidates with professional

experience in APS and/or CPS, particularly those involving investigation, case management, and direct client services, are

highly desirable. This includes familiarity with state and federal regulations, experience with California Child Welfare

Services (CWS), Case Management System (CMS), and/or LEAPS, and best practices in safeguarding vulnerable

populations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• A valid driver's license may be required at the time of appointment and employees may also be required to drive their

own car, provide proof of car insurance, and a DMV clearance. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a

disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

• The position may require pre-employment drug testing, physical examination, and fingerprinting for a background

investigation.

• Government agencies accessing US government information, which includes federal tax information must ensure that

background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax

information are consistent with 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. State agencies must conduct an investigation during the time of hire and ensure a

reinvestigation is conducted 10 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that

has access to federal tax information.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%

The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's

knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the

questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination

to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the

examination.

Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.

If conditions warrant, an Education and Experience examination may be conducted in lieu of the Training and Experience

examination. Please review the Education and Experience examination information below:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%

The Education & Experience examination is based solely upon information provided from the application and supplemental

information (e.g., resumes, transcripts). Information provided from the application and supplemental information will be

assessed compared to a standard developed in relation to the elements of the job. Special care should be taken in

submitting a complete description of your education and experience relevant to the typical tasks, scope, and minimum

qualifications stated on this bulletin. Supplemental information will be accepted, but competitors should read this bulletin

carefully to determine what kind of information will be useful to those individuals completing the evaluation. To obtain a

position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.

Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.

ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION

A departmental promotional eligible list will be established for the county of Alpine. The list will be utilized for 12 months

after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.

RETEST PERIOD

Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.

SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS

Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you

require such arrangements, please contact Cal HR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your

application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the

accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.

EDUCATION DOCUMENTS

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application.

Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the

foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon

appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the

need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances

under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and

all competitors will be notified.

If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination

will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the

entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability,

good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the

assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background

investigation may be required.

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.

ABOUT ALPINE COUNTY

Nestled along the majestic crest of the Central Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Alpine County is California's best-kept

secret, boasting the smallest population of all the state's counties. With only about 1,200 residents, this hidden gem is a

tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Alpine County is perfectly situated south of the iconic Lake Tahoe and north of the breathtaking Yosemite National Park.

The county's population is charmingly concentrated in a few picturesque mountain communities. Woodfords offers a

glimpse into rustic living, while Bear Valley and Kirkwood attract outdoor enthusiasts with their stunning landscapes and

recreational opportunities. The county seat, Markleeville, serves as the heart of this serene region, embodying the spirit of

small-town America with its close-knit community and historic charm. Alpine County is not just a place; it's a serene

sanctuary where nature's beauty and a slower pace of life take precedence.

Agency: CalHR

Phone: 916-909-3251

Department: Alpine County Health and Human Services

Address: Cal HR, Attn: Merit System Services

1515 S Street, North Building, Suite 500

Sacramento, California, 95811

Website: httQs://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mss

Qualified Applicants must apply via Merit Services - CLICK HERE

Social Worker IV: Location - Alpine County, Supplemental Questionnaire

• QUESTION 1

By selecting "yes" below, I certify my understanding of the requirement to provide substantiating educational documents

(i.e., transcripts, foreign degree evaluation) if I am using education to meet the minimum qualifications. I understand that

failure to provide substantiating educational documents may result in disqualification of my application.

0 Yes

0 No

• QUESTION 2

By selecting "yes" below, I certify my understanding of the location of this position. This position is in Markleeville, CA.

0 Yes

0 No

• QUESTION 3

Please describe your experience in Adult Protective Services (APS) and/or Child Protective Services (CPS). In your

response, include the specific roles you held, types of cases you managed, specific training or certifications you have

related to APS and/or CPS and how your experience prepares you to succeed in this position.

• Required Question

At Alpine County, we seek employees with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to better serve our community. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.