Social Worker IV A-D - Child Welfare Services

DEFINITION

This is a County of Humboldt job position; however, the job application is submitted through Merit System Services. To apply for this position, click on this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mss/jobs/4842981/social-worker-iv-a-d-child-welfare-services

• Socio-economic conditions and trends
• Basic principles of individual and group behavior
• Current issues in the field of social welfare
• Principles of interviewing and problem-solving methodology
• Social service research methods
• Public welfare programs on the Federal, State, and local levels
• The general principles of public assistance policies and programs
• Principles and techniques of interviewing and recording of social casework
• Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency
• Computer terminology and computer keyboard arrangement
• Community organizations and social problems requiring the use of public and private community resources
• Basic principles involved in the development and implementation of personality and in group processes
• Current problems and methodology in the field of public social services
• Physical and mental health and impact on personality

• Understand and carry out Department programs, policies, and procedures
• Obtain facts and analyze information, drawing sound conclusions
• Gather, organize, analyze, and present a variety of data and information
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports
• Effectively represent the Social Services Department in contacts with clients, the public, community organizations, and other government agencies
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Develop skills in interviewing people, making interpretations and recording information
• Establish and maintain client rapport of an individual basis
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action
• Maintain the confidentiality of case records
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationship
• Work within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and services
• Apply the principles of child psychology and family relationships, evaluate personal and psychological factors in the child and/or family’s situation

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

DUTY STATEMENT – SOCIAL WORKER, A and B

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 in conformance with agency, state and federal requirements
• 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 or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling; advocates on clients behalf for most appropriate services including enabling services
• 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

• Mental health evaluation of parents and/or children including, but not limited to, parenting assessments and bonding assessments
• Individual, group, or family treatment for children and/or parents
• Participation in case conferences and consultation with social work staff to review cases and recommend service plans, rehabilitative services and case management options
• Participation as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team providing clinical input related to diagnosis and service plans for children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)
• Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) related activities of Social Worker IVs at the C level are performed under clinical supervision of a BBS licensed individual with two years post licensure experience, and in accordance with Board of Behavioral Sciences regulations
• Duties are assigned to broaden and deepen professional experience in assessment, development of treatment plans, and group and individual therapy

• Clinical supervision of Social Workers with bachelor's or master's degrees and/or Associate Clinical Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist interns
• In accordance with law and/or contract with the County Mental Health Department, to provide Mental Health related services to children, adults, and families within the scope of licensure
• Provide courtroom testimony related to Department of Social Services clientele and issues
• Does program planning to develop and implement services appropriate to assisting child and adult Department of Social Services clientele
• Mental health evaluations of parents or children including but not limited to parenting assessments and bonding assessments
• Group, individual, and family psychotherapy for Department of Social Services clientele
• Participation in case conferences and consultation with non-licensed Social Worker staff for the purpose of recommending service plans, rehabilitative services and case management options

QUALIFICATIONS

SOCIAL WORKER IV A:

A master's degree in Social Work (MSW) or master's degree from a two year counseling program or a related field such as: Sociology, Human Services or Anthropology, from an accredited college or university.

SOCIAL WORKER IV B:

A master's degree in Social Work (MSW) or master's degree from a two year counseling program or related field such as; Sociology, Human Services or Anthropology, from an accredited college or university AND one (1) year of performing social work at the Social Worker IV A level.

SOCIAL WORKER IV C:

A valid Intern Registration Number from the Board of Behavioral Sciences, and ability to practice as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) or Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (MFTI) in the State of California.

SOCIAL WORKER IV D:

A valid license from the Board of Behavioral Sciences to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in the State of California, or a valid license or waiver to practice as a Clinical Psychologist in the State of California.

COMPENSATION

Level A

This is the starting range for the Social Worker IV classification.

Level B

Social Worker IVs shall be appointed to this range upon written certification by the appointing authority that the employee has satisfactorily completed one year performing
Social Worker IV level work.

Level C

Social Worker IVs shall be appointed to this range upon possession of a valid intern
registration number from the Board of Behavioral Sciences, as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) or Marriage and Family Therapist intern (MFTI) in the State of California.

Level D

Social Worker IVs shall be appointed to this range upon possession of a license issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, to practice as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in the State of California, or a
license or waiver to practice as a Clinical Psychologist in the State of California.

DRIVER LICENSE REQUIREMENT

Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California driver's License. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver's license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County. Eligibility for employment for those who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the appointing authority.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CalPERS Retirement

• Tier I: Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7 @ 55
• Tier II: Post 7/6/2012: 2.0 @ 55
• Tier III: Post 1/1/2013: 2.0 @ 62

Selection Procedure
The County’s Human Resources system operates by a set of rules and procedures which ensure that employees are hired and promoted on the basis of merit and fitness for the job. Jobs are filled through competitive examinations.

A complete online application is required for this position. All application materials will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts. Those candidates considered to be the most qualified, based on the application materials submitted, will be invited to a written and/or oral examination, or an evaluation of education and experience.

Policy of Nondiscrimination
The County of Humboldt does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Human Resources is wheelchair-accessible by entering the Courthouse from the ramp located on the east side of the building next to the marked handicapped parking. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact Human Resources at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination for assistance.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Reasonable accommodation may be made in the testing procedure as well as the work site. If you need accommodation for an exam due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible.

How to Apply
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Although this is a County of Humboldt job position, and you may access the job flyer at http://www.humboldtgov.org/hr , the application must be submitted through the Merit System Services website at www.mss.ca.gov no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. The link for the Merit System Services website is located at the top of the job flyer. All applications are screened by subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.

It is important that your application show all the relevant experience and education you possess.

Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in this examination will be compared with the performance of others who take the test. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible. Scores will be provided in writing only.

To fill a vacancy, Merit Systems Services furnishes the employing department with the most qualified candidate names for the position.

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.

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.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION: A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS: Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

LICENSES: Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six months, but may be up to one year. All designated safety employees serve a one year probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: It is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Reasonable accommodation may be made in the testing procedure as well as the work site. If you need accommodation for an exam due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible.

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.