Social Worker/Clinician - Senior

Job Description:

Social Worker/Clinician - Senior

Description

Introduction

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

POSITION INFORMATION

Placer County's Department of Health and Human Services is currently recruiting one Senior Clinician/Practitioner to fill a vacancy in the Adult System of Care division. This position will assist with the Mental Health Services program which partners with other agencies to provide a variety of needs-based services including: Assessments, mental health clinical and support services, mental health response, housing assistance, peer support, and psychiatric medication services. Supervisory specialty areas include crisis services, housing, and consumer development.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill both permanent and temporary/extra-help* vacancies in the Adult System of Care and Children's System of Care divisions as they arise, subject to specific position requirements. Opportunities in Health and Human Services could include:

*Temporary/Extra-help assignments are limited to 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours (or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants) in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

Children's System of Care (CSOC)

Mental Health Services - Programs to provide crisis response, case management and/or intensive in-home support to families in Placer County. Services are provided to support the mental health and well-being of children who are at risk of out-of-home placement or who require more intensive mental health services. Senior Social Workers/Senior Clinicians ensure that families receive needed and required services while also taking a leadership role with staff.

Child Welfare Services - Investigations, assessments, and services to children and their families who are at risk or have suffered from abuse or neglect. This includes intake, assessment, family maintenance/reunification, approval of caretakers for youth, and support/coaching families in crisis.

Adult System of Care (ASOC)

Adult Protective Services (APS) - A 24-hour program mandated by the State that investigates allegations of harm to seniors and dependent adults who are reported to be endangered by physical, sexual, and financial abuse, isolation, neglect and self-neglect.

Substance Use Services - ASOC offers screening clinics in-person and via telehealth, performing American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) screenings and providing recommendations for clinically indicated levels of care. In addition to substance use treatment recommendations and linkage, general case management support is provided to address a variety of needs including housing, medical care and mental health.

Enhanced Care Management - Intensive case management for individuals experiencing homelessness and/or serious mental illness or substance use disorders to help coordinate their health care and other needed services.

An additional 5% license pay will be paid to employees in this classification who are licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Marriage, Family Child Counselor (MFCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D. and Psy.D.).

Subject to approval by the appointing authority and upon successful completion of a foreign language proficiency examination, an additional 5% bilingual pay will be paid to employees who use a second language on a regular basis in the normal course of business.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To perform client service case work and provide clinical treatment requiring a high level of skill and independent judgment in serving children, adolescents and/or adults with serious mental illnesses; to provide clinical or community-based program supervision; to oversee investigations and the supervision and placement of minors in need of protective services; to oversee and provide outreach engagement; to exercise technical and functional supervision over subordinate professional staff; and to function as an integral and supportive member of assigned departmental and multi-disciplinary team(s).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Client Services Practitioner series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing assigned duties of a more complex nature, and by the nature of the public contact. Employees in this job class perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including clinical program supervision or supervision of multiple community-based programs and staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from a program manager or other management position.

Exercises clinical supervision over assigned program staff and technical and functional supervision over subordinate professional staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Lead and train assigned subordinate staff in various aspects of client services within designated program area(s).
  
• Assist in ensuring assigned program cohesiveness and quality assurance; coordinate assigned program activities with other County divisions as well as departments and outside agencies as appropriate.
  
• Coordinate, participate in and/or conduct comprehensive individual and family bio-psychosocial assessments for problem identification and diagnosis.
  
• May oversee and/or participate in developing clinical treatment plans; may determine appropriate method of treatment intervention, including program modifications; and may refer clients to a psychiatrist for medication.
  
• Prepare and present clinical and/or case management documentation for review by multi-disciplinary team; provide on-going consultation and systematic support for the team in its implementation of treatment programs and individual treatment plans and/or case management.
  
• Participate in and/or conduct group, family and individual therapy and provide other counseling as appropriate to affect client discharge/re-entry to the community.
  
• Perform case management duties including investigation, treatment plan monitoring, advocacy, referral and linkage to other services and crisis intervention; as appropriate, consult with staff of related agencies regarding treatment and discharge planning.
  
• Provide consultation, education and liaison to public and private agencies; provide training and/or make presentations to clients, care providers, community groups, referrals and the general public.
  
• Develop and implement multiple community-based programs in treatment and social service; coordinate and monitor program activities to ensure compliance with program outcomes.
  
• Maintain documentation of client contact in accordance with Department and statutory regulations and procedures; prepare case history summaries for use by other agencies as appropriate; and file mandated reports.
  
• May make home/site visits and provide client transportation as necessary.
  
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, community resources, clients, and the public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
  
• Perform related duties as required.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Three years of responsible experience performing duties similar to a Client Services Practitioner in Placer County with at least one year of qualifying experience at the journey level.

Training: A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, or counseling which meets the eligibility requirements for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) by the State Board of Behavioral Science Examiners.

Required License or Certificate:

• May require possession of a State of California license to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
  
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of social work as related to providing mental health, substance abuse services and treatment, child and adult protective services and multi-disciplinary approach to treatment.
  
• Principles and practices used in the development of community-based programs providing treatment and social services.
  
• Role and interaction of human service agencies in accomplishing treatment of individuals with serious mental illnesses.
  
• Accepted criteria for clinical diagnosis of emotional and mental disturbances as well as normal and abnormal emotional and mental development to include growth, development, and living relationships.
  
• Psychosocial, family, individual and group therapy and counseling treatments and prevention strategies.
  
• Psychotropic medication issues.
  
• Pertinent local, state and federal rules, regulations and laws.
  
• Principles used in preparing grant proposals.
  
• Legal and regulatory issues related to the operation and delivery of a variety of client services to individuals and groups of all ages and special needs.
  
• Crisis intervention and conflict resolution practices, including management of assaultive behavior, and principles of social work related to child protective services and adult services, rick and safety assessments.
  
• Principles and practices of case management, including objectives, clinical diagnosis, and appropriate documentation.
  

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job and observe safety rules; intermittently review work papers, reports and special projects; identify and problem solve client issues; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; remember clients' names; understand and explain Department policies and procedures to clients, families and the general public.
  
• On an intermittent basis, sit for long periods of time while at desk or driving; stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, climb or twist while retrieving files, conducting home/site visits, setting up/making presentations or observing or restraining client. See and hear with sufficient acuity to observe and be aware of client; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; and lift moderate weight.
  
• Provide clinical supervision and train, assign and review work of assigned subordinate staff.
  
• Assist in coordinating all aspects of assigned program, including identification of problems affecting program cohesion and implementation of solutions.
  
• Provide leadership to and work cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary team in reviewing treatment plan problems and objectives and developing recommended alternatives.
  
• Identify and conceptualize multiple cause situations and possible consequences; evaluate potential treatment/solutions; determine and initiate most effective course of action.
  
• Relate effectively and positively with assigned clients to establish trust and rapport; display empathy.
  
• Coordinate and prioritize work and timelines effectively for self and others.
  
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  
• Obtain relevant information through interviews, observations, and the application of standard research methodologies.
  
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately including routine statistical analysis.
  
• Use a personal computer and office equipment necessary for successful job performance.
  
• Work weekend and evening shifts as needs of program and/or clients require.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Janine Martindale, Administrative Technician, at jmartind@placer.ca.gov or (530) 889-4083.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled

Salary:

$43.16 - $53.91/hour; $7,481.07 - $9,344.40/month; $89,772.80 - $112,132.80/year