Social Worker IV

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

1. 20% upon hire (1st paycheck)
2. 30% after the completion of 90 days of employment
3. 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 for each employee that has access to federal tax information.

VETERANS PREFERENCE

If you would like to request Veteran's preference points as part of the application packet, please attach a copy of your DD-214 form to your application. 

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.

MSS is accepting applications on a continuous basis. Qualifying candidates will be notified via email with instructions for completing the examination within 30 days of the date of application.

ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION 

A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Monterey. 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 CalHR 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. 

APPLICATION 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 

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 MONTEREY COUNTY

Located on California's picturesque Pacific Coast, the County of Monterey is blessed with mild weather year-round and is home to miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, groves of redwoods, low-rolling foothills, and a bountiful valley. With a population exceeding 400,000, the County is proud of its vibrant citizenry, great traditions, educational opportunities, and multicultural lifestyles. Boasting such world-renowned attractions as the spectacular Big Sur Coast, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals, and Pebble Beach - possibly the world's most famous golf course, it's easy to see why an estimated 4.3 million visitors a year make Monterey County their destination of choice. In addition to a thriving tourist trade, Monterey County's economy is largely based on a vigorous agricultural industry. Known as the 'salad bowl of the nation' the Salinas Valley provides fresh vegetables and salad greens to the entire country. California's 16th largest county also provides many educational opportunities for its residents including California State University at Monterey Bay, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, the Defense Language Institute (DLI), Presidio of Monterey, and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). All these factors combine to make Monterey County a healthy, economically diverse region eager to foster and sustain an enriching lifestyle for its residents.

ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Monterey County Department of Social Services is seeking enthusiastic applicants, who genuinely care about the community and its members, to join its team. Monterey County Department of Social Services administers over seventy programs that daily serve an estimated 200, 000 residents of Monterey County. Department programs include Community Benefits (Public Assistance Eligibility), Family and Children’s Services (Child Welfare Services), Aging and Adult Services (Adult Protective Services, IHSS, and Area Agency on Aging), CalWORKs Employment Services, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Community Action Partnership. Careers with the Department of Social Services offer the opportunity to promote the social and economic self-reliance of individuals and families served by providing essential resources and services to low-income families, veterans, vulnerable children and adults, and disabled individuals. Monterey County Department of Social Services welcomes, values, and encourages diverse voices, opinions, perspectives, and backgrounds to foster an environment where all viewpoints are appreciated. The Department currently has a team of approximately 874 dedicated members serving Monterey County residents.

Monterey County is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the Department of Social Services, go to: http://mcdss.co.monterey.ca.us/.

Bargaining Unit K Summary Sheet: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showdocument?id=107964&t=637753515599569763

Class Specification: Social Worker IV (Download PDF reader)

Salary : $6,734 - $9,198