Social Service Worker

Salary : See Position Description

Location : Santa Maria, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 25-7056-01 (O / DSS)

Department : Social Services

Opening Date : 01 / 06 / 2025

Closing Date : 1 / 21 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

Description

SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER SALARY : $63,780.30 - $76,280.06 Annually

• SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER SENIOR PS / L SALARY : $72,673.12 - $87,139.52 Annually

plus bilingual allowance when applicable

Help Families and Individuals Thrive in your community. Join our team as a Social Service Worker.

We are accepting applications to fill current vacancies in the Social Services Department. The current vacancies are in Santa Maria and Lompoc for the Social Services Department.

We are also establishing a list for future vacancies in the Social Services Department, Sheriff's Office, and Public Defender's Office. Vacancies may be available in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc . Candidates interested in the Sheriff's Office or Public Defender's Office must be available and willing to work at All Locations throughout the County. To be considered for future vacancies in the Sheriff's Office or Public Defender's Office, applicants must select "All Locations" in the location section of the application as well as in the supplemental questionnaire.

BENEFITS : The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or visit

Applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for :

POSITION : Under direction, performs social work and other related duties as required.

Incumbents in the Department of Social Services will initially be working under close supervision in a training status and are expected to learn departmental organization, social service programs, case study methods, and casework services and perform without close supervision within one year. Trainees assigned to work in child / adult protective services may perform more difficult social service work. Upon completion of training, incumbents are expected to perform journey-level social service work. Incumbents carry a complex social service caseload in such areas as child protective services, adult protective services, and in-home supportive services, supplemental security income advocacy services, or in a locked facility.

Incumbents in the Public Defender's Office for this position work within the Community Defender Division. The Community Defender Division (CDD) continues to provide compassionate and tireless advocacy and services for our clients while simultaneously seeking long-term systemic changes to improve the lives of our most vulnerable citizens. CDD combines the knowledge and expertise of social workers, housing advocates, resource specialists and attorneys to address the entire person and all of the underlying causes for involvement with the criminal justice system. Clients have been assisted in the following areas this year : finding housing, addressing substance abuse, connection with medical insurance, assistance in mental health treatment, and overall case management for those of varying intellectual abilities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS : This class is the entry-level to professional social service work. Incumbents initially work under close supervision in a training status and are expected to learn departmental organization, social service programs, case study methods, and case work services and to perform without close supervision within one year. Trainees assigned to work in child / adult protective services may perform more difficult social service work. Upon completion of training, incumbents are expected to perform journey-level social service work. Incumbents carry a complex social service caseload in such areas child protective services, adult protective services, as in-home supportive services, supplemental security income advocacy services, or in a locked facility.

Examples of Duties

Employment Standards

Note : Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required degree are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree. Additional Qualifications : The ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish is required for some positions.

Note : If you indicated on your application that you are bilingual, Human Resources will place you on the employment list for a job requiring bilingual skills. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications or removed from the employment list, in accordance with Civil Service Rule 7.

Additional Requirements :

The following Additional Requirements apply only to the Department of Social Services :

Knowledge of : basic functions of social service systems, public assistance or non-profit social services; practical application of human behavior and child development / parenting or aging principles; socioeconomic / psycho-social factors affecting individual behavior, independent living social functioning and social abnormalities; organizational and time management methods; report writing principles including rules of correct grammar, punctuation and sentence structure; basic computer skills and word processing applications.

Ability to : learn, apply and explain complex regulations and policies governing processes of assigned program; interview a variety of people with diverse socio-economic backgrounds and temperaments; work independently; understand and follow direction; listen; cope with unusual life circumstances; manage a caseload and recall case details; maintain confidentiality of information; write clear, accurate and concise reports and prepare routine statistical reports; organize and prioritize work assignments; make decisions and independent judgments; determine the appropriate course of action in emergency or stressful situations; understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures; deal firmly and fairly with clients; maintain accurate records and document actions taken; identify and make referrals to local and regional providers of social, medical and / or other specialized services; act on behalf of client to obtain needed services; operate a computer in the completion of assignments; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS :

Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS : Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of : (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran's preference points, you must : (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the application deadline, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS : The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

BACKGROUND CHECK AND MEDICAL EVALUATION : Sheriff's Office and Public Defender's Office will conduct a background investigation. Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history, or deception relating to employment history may bar employment. Other departments may require an extended background check including credit history; this is at the discretion of each department. The following process is only used for the Sheriff's Office :

Candidates who pass the PHQ and are in the top certified group, their names will be sent to the hiring department for consideration. Top candidates will be invited to a selection interview. Selected candidate will advance to the next step in the hiring process, which includes the following :

BACKGROUND DISQUALIFIERS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE :

Conditional Job Offer : Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Workers : Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment

The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and / or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE : 01 / 21 / 25, 4 : 59 pm . Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

DSS Recruiter : Jasmine Gaytan, email at

Retirement Plans

Health Benefits

Paid Time Off

Miscellaneous Benefits

Compensation Summary

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meets the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin. I further acknowledge that if the County determines that I do not meet the employment standards there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin. Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important that I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meets the employment standards at the time I submit my application.

As part of the application process, a completed supplemental questionnaire must be submitted along with the standard application form. Resumes will be accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The Human Resources Department communicates with all applicants through e-mail. Please make sure your email address is entered correctly, is current and that you check spam filters continuously during the recruitment and selection process to ensure you do not miss required deadlines.

Below is a list of departments that utilize the Social Services Worker job classification. Please select the department(s) you are interested for current and future vacancies. Please keep in mind that during the life of the employment list, some of these departments may not have vacancies. This is your only opportunity to make your selection. Please note that the current vacancies are in the Social Services Department.

Please keep in mind, if you are interested in working with the Sheriff's Office; you will be required to complete and pass a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ), Polygraph, and Background Investigation. If you fail any portion of this process with the Sheriff's Office, you can still be considered for the other departments selected.

If you selected Public Defender's Office and / or the Sheriff's Office , these positions require that you are willing to work at All Locations within the County of Santa Barbara and you are agreeing to these terms, regardless of your selection on your applications. For the Public Defender's Office, locations would include Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. All candidates hired, can be placed at any location and transferred to another location during your employment with the County.

In order to be considered for employment, all applicants must meet one of the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below at the time of application. Please check which employment standard you meet. All information may be verified. If your job experience and / or education within your application do not clearly reflect how you meet the employment standard you selected, your application will not be accepted.

Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required degree are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree.If you are in your final quarter or semester of study of a Bachelor's degree, please provide the name of your pending degree (including major and minor, if applicable), and anticipated date of completion. Failure to provide this detailed information may lead to disqualification.You may skip this question if this does not apply to you.

Please check ONLY if you possess a bachelor's degree in one of the following areas of study. If your degree is in one of the specified areas, you do NOT need to list coursework.

If you have a bachelor's degree, but it is NOT in social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, child development, or geriatrics, you MUST list each of the qualifying course titles and corresponding semester or quarter units (minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter) completed in the areas of social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, child development, geriatrics, or other related behavioral or health sciences. If you do not clearly indicate courses and units that meet the requirements, your application will not be accepted. If not applicable, type N / A

If you DO NOT have a bachelor's degree and believe you meet the Employment Standards under # 2, your application must clearly indicate the required job experience equivalent to Eligibility Worker or Social Services Case Aide with Santa Barbara County AND you must clearly list below, the course title(s) and the number of semester or quarter units (minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter) completed in the areas of social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, child development, geriatrics, or other related behavioral or health sciences. If you do not clearly indicate courses and semester or quarter units that meet the requirements, your application will not be accepted. If not applicable, type N / A

If you DO NOT have a bachelor's degree and believe you meet the Employment Standards under #3, you are required to have a combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the experience requirement listed in #2. You MUST list the title of coursework and the number of semester or quarter units completed in the areas of social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, child development, geriatrics, or other related behavioral or health sciences. In your application, you must also thoroughly describe all work experience and / or other training or experience gained that provides the knowledge and abilities required, as listed in the job bulletin. If not applicable, type N / A

Please select your area of experience, including any internships and / or volunteer work, below :

For each area selected above, please describe specific details of your experience and include :

As a Social Services Worker, you will be working closely with families or individuals in crisis, under stressful circumstances, that may be guided by Welfare & Institute codes, laws and regulations. In order to determine if these positions are a good fit for you, we've developed a short questionnaire so you will have an idea of what the job duties entail. Although you may not have all the skills or abilities to complete some of these responsibilities at the time of hire, you will be trained in the job duties but must be willing to complete these tasks. Please read the following questions carefully and mark your answers honestly. Questions 16 - 36 are intended to help you get a clear picture of the job you are applying for. Your answers will also help you decide if you are willing or suited to do this type of work.

Are you able to work late hours outside of normal business hours?

Are you willing to travel out of town on day trips or overnight?

Are you able to work independently and reliably, with minimum supervision?

Are you able to work in an open office environment, amid multiple interruptions, in order to meet strict deadlines?

Are you able to work independently and make decisions under stressful circumstances?

Are you able to leave the stress from work at the work place, without internalizing it or taking it home with you?

Are you able to respond calmly and politely to people who may be upset, angry, hostile or uncooperative because of their individual situations?

Are you willing to learn a specialized computer system related to the program you will be working in?

Are you able to organize and prioritize your work in order to meet strict deadlines, demonstrating an ability to be flexible?

Are you willing to document and keep detailed and accurate records of interactions you may have regarding individuals or families you are working with?

Are you willing to complete court documents or testify in court proceedings?

Are you willing to work closely with law enforcement agencies, lawyers and other community agencies?

Are you willing to work with people who may have different ideas or skills than you in order to ensure the safety of minor children, elderly or disabled people within our community?

Are you willing to conduct lengthy and in-depth interviews with people in order to obtain personal information related to family relationships, financial resources, living arrangements, marital status and other personal information?

Are you able to communicate verbally and in writing with people from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds?

Are you willing to explain complex information to people in a manner that can be easily understood?

Are you willing to adjust to constant changes in rules, regulations, or household situations?

Are you able to work within highly complex and structured requirements while maintaining a creative and problem solving approach with clients?

Are you able to establish healthy relationships with clear directions and boundaries with clients?

Are you able to maintain cooperative working relationships both internally, with co-workers and supervisors, and externally with multiple community partners and other state agencies?

Are you willing to undergo a background check?

If are applying for the Public Defender's Office, do you have experience working with clients who are in the criminal justice system?

If you are applying for the Public Defender's Office , do you have experience working with clients who are experiencing poverty, mental health concerns, or at risk of homelessness? (full details of this experience / position(s) should be on your completed application).

If you are applying for the Public Defender's Office do you have experience working with clients who are experiencing poverty, mental health concerns, or at risk of homelessness? (full details of this experience / position(s) should be on your completed application).

If you are applying for the Public Defender's Office, please select which settings you have experience in or knowledge of. (Full details of this experience / position(s) should be listed on your application).

Your responses to the following questions will be read and scored by a rater. The rater WILL NOT have access to your application / resume, while reviewing your responses. Although you may have some of this information on your application, you will need to answer the questions completely. In order to give the rater the best opportunity to evaluate your responses, please make sure you read the question carefully and fully answer all the questions asked. This is your only opportunity to provide detailed information. Failure to provide full and complete answers may affect the outcome of your score and rank on the employment list.

I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used as a weighted, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613 :

Please describe your experience(s) providing services to any of the following populations : children, adults, the homeless, families, or those involved in the criminal justice system. Please describe how your experience(s) has prepared you to be a Social Services Worker.

As a Social Services Worker, you will conduct in-home or on-site visits to interview clients and other family members to complete psychosocial assessments and determine the need for services. You may also interview clients to determine if a child or vulnerable adult abuse or neglect has occurred or if other life events have caused a negative impact on an adult. What situations have you encountered or studied, and how will these experiences prepare you for your first home or on-site visit to successfully engage with the client or family?

As a Social Services Worker, you will work with people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. Describe behaviors you might use to demonstrate humility and openness to a family's culture and lived experience during your first interaction with a family.

The Social Service Worker is responsible for responding to immediate and sometimes chaotic events that come up in a client's life, often due to severe and persistent mental illness or drug and alcohol addiction. Many are caught within various complex legal and social systems and can be distrustful of treatment programs and community service providers. Please describe the experience or training that has prepared you to assist these clients and how you navigate these issues.

Required Question

Salary : $63,780 - $76,280