Social Services Worker I - Bilingual

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health & Human Services Agency.   The anticipated life of the employment list is six months.  If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health & Human Services Agency located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Manage a case load which includes cases of moderate difficulty involving basic types of social service problems; interview clients to ascertain the nature of their problems, determine social service needs, develop service plans, and carry out basic social service treatment plans; assist applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources for their needs; interpret policies, rules and regulations of the department to clients and others; make home calls in connection with case work assignments; prepare and maintain case records;  Refer clients to other social service agencies; participate in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve program and technical competence; receive casework consultation from professionally trained staff members; transport clients to appointments, community resources or agencies; may provide clients with training in the areas of parenting techniques, housekeeping skills, money management, self- care and hygiene; may conduct home evaluations for possible placement of children; prepare memos, letters, reports and case narratives. Essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education: Equivalent to completion of two years of college level study in the behavioral or social sciences or a closely related field.

Education Equivalency: Directly related program specific experience may be substituted on a ratio of one-year specific experience equivalent to one year of education. 

Experience: One year of experience involving interviewing and counseling in a social services environment.

Equivalency for Experience: Additional years of college level study may be substituted for the direct program experience on a year-for-year basis.

Knowledge of: Basic social service principles and practices; counseling methods and techniques; interviewing methods and techniques; basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Skill/Ability to: Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; interview and counsel clients to obtain information and assist with problem solving; research and define problems, collect information, organize and analyze material, draw valid conclusions and formulate recommendations; negotiate with clients, establish goals and objectives and come to an agreement on a plan of action for resolving their problems; manage a caseload; read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; write clear, concise and grammatically correct case narratives, reports, records and correspondence; follow verbal and written instructions and seek guidance when appropriate; retain and recall information; adjust to changes in workload, coordinate work with others and work under stress of meeting deadlines; organize work in a step-by-step order; establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with others; use patience, tact and courtesy in dealing with people under various circumstances and under emotional stress; keep systematic and accurate records; maintain confidentiality of all information and materials; work under stressful situations; speak, read, and write Spanish; plan, organize, and make effective presentations

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of: Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; dynamics of child abuse and neglect; problems faced by the aged and dependent adults; problems faced by the long-term unemployed.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information, you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Salary : $43,542 - $53,066