Social Worker V

Position Description

Application materials will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until positions are filled. Please allow up to (2) two weeks for processing of application materials. (Postmarks and faxes not accepted.) The eligible list established by this recruitment maybe used to fill current and future permanent or temporary vacancies as they arise. Exam #24/60C24/02SS.

Examples of Duties

• 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 interrelationship, 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 and recommends, implements and monitors alternate placement, may remove children from unsafe situations; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; 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.
• 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.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

• 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
• 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
• 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 situation; 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
• Establish and maintain client rapport on an individual basis
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff, clients, and outside organizations.

Additional Information

• Natividad requires that all incumbents pass a pre-employment physical/medical assessment.
• Natividad will conduct a thorough background and reference check process which includes a Department of Justice fingerprint check.
• Employees who drive on County business to carry out job related duties must possess a valid CA Driver License for the class vehicle driven and clean driving record.
• Employees must have and show their original Social Security Card and a valid CA Driver License or CA State ID prior to the first day of work.
• Incumbents may be required to work all shifts, including weekends and holidays;
• Incumbents may be required to work with potentially hazardous and infectious substances.

• If you believe you possess a disability that would require test accommodation, please contact the HR Analyst for Natividad at (831) 783-2711.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the United States.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position you will not be eligible for the benefits.