Social Worker IV Trainee, IV/V

Job Description:

Social Worker IV Trainee, IV/V

Description

About the Opportunity

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the position of Social Worker must possess knowledge of the laws and principles related to child welfare. They must possess broad knowledge and understanding of normal child development and how trauma impacts the developmental process. The successful candidates will have the skill and ability to conduct client interviews, assessments, and crisis intervention activities. Incumbents in the position will exercise sound judgment in making diagnostic risk assessments and decisions regarding placement of children and handle high pressure, crisis situations professionally, and be able to extract appropriate information during such situations. They must be able to work with a variety of individuals with varying degrees of mental health functioning, literacy, coping abilities, and life skills. In addition, the ideal candidate should possess the following: knowledge of community resources; the ability to write clear, concise and descriptive reports under time restraints; strong written and verbal communication skills; the ability to work well under pressure and display sound time management; and an appreciation for diversity.

To learn more about the Community Services Agency, click here .

The Community Services Agency (CSA) provides a certified therapist for all of our social workers as a form of support in this critical field. This beneficial resource provides wellness sessions, training sessions, critical incident debriefing, and psychotherapy sessions to Community Services Agency staff and/or partner agencies stationed at CSA.

Click here for details.

THE POSITIONS

SOCIAL WORKER IV TRAINEE

This is a training level in the Social Worker series. Incumbents perform professional casework in less complicated areas of social services. The casework requires the application of a moderate level of social services, expertise and techniques. Casework is in areas of child protective services. Incumbents at this level will receive necessary training and supervision. Note: Social Worker IV Trainees will earn 15% less than the first step of the Social Worker IV series.

ABOUT THE TRAINEE DESIGNATION

• Trainees are part of the unclassified service of the County;
• All trainees will be appointed to the first step of the salary range for the appropriate position, and will be compensated 15% below the range established for the Social Worker IV classification involved;
• Trainee appointments are not to last longer than one year. However, appointments are extendible to a maximum of two years in cases where minimum qualifications are involved; and
• Upon completion of the training period and the acquisition of minimum qualifications, the individual may be upgraded to a probationary appointment at step 1 of the Social Worker IV salary range. (An approximate 15% increase in salary).

SOCIAL WORKER IV

This is the next to highest level in the Social Worker series. Incumbents perform professional casework of an advanced nature in the most difficult social service areas. The casework requires the application of high-level and sophisticated social services, expertise, and techniques. Casework is in areas such as adoptions and child protective services. Incumbents at this level are expected to work independently without intensive supervision.

SOCIAL WORKER V

This is a full journey level in the Social Worker series. Incumbents in this class independently perform difficult professional casework that requires the application of sophisticated social services expertise and techniques. Assignments are typically in the complex social service program areas such as adoptions, court liaison, family reunification, early placement, emergency intake/response, family maintenance, and permanent placement. Incumbents at this level work under direction, choosing from a wide range of procedures to achieve objectives. This position is subject to overtime, standby, and callback assignments. Performs related duties as assigned.

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Community & Health Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.

Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months for a total of eighteen months. The probationary period does not apply to unclassified positions.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Typical Tasks

SOCIAL WORKER IV TRAINEE

• Investigate child neglect reports from the community;
• Provide information and referral for services;
• May be required to utilize own vehicle as the need warrants;
• Investigate child neglect referrals;
• Make investigations for Juvenile Court dependency actions;
• Write court reports and makes presentations and recommendations to the Juvenile Court;
• Provide initial intake, crisis intervention and counseling services to children and their parents;
• Provide group orientation to families interested in obtaining County licenses for foster family care;
• Provide services to children in out-of-home care and to their parents;
• Provide home-based services to abused/neglected children and their families;
• Select suitable out-of-home care placements and supervises the children in these placements;
• Participate on community task forces and committees, and carry out other duties as directed;
• Understand the principles/philosophies of Team Decision Meetings and Family Engagement Meetings;
• Be expected to refer cases and participate in the process;
• Have a working knowledge and be able to utilize CWS/CMS computer system; and
• Participate and complete Institute and Academy training courses.

SOCIAL WORKER IV

• Receive and screen reports of child/adult abuse or neglect from the community for degree of urgency;
• Provide information and referral for services;
• Provide 24-hour protective services as back-up to the assigned after-hours social worker in child welfare;
• Serve as after-hours emergency response social worker, on a rotation basis;
• Investigate child abuse or neglect referrals;
• Investigate for Juvenile Court dependency actions;
• Write court reports and make presentations and recommendations to the Juvenile Court;
• Provide initial intake, crisis intervention and counseling services to children and their parents;
• Provide group orientation to families interested in obtaining County licenses for foster family care;
• Provide services to children in out-of-home care and to their parents;
• Provide intensive home based services to abused/neglected children and their families;
• Select suitable out-of-home care placements and supervises the children in these placements;
• Provide services and transitional planning to foster youth in out-of-home care;
• Provide safety and risk assessments throughout the life of a case;
• Participate on community task forces and committees;
• Act as a lead worker, when necessary;
• Assess prospective adoptive parents’ suitability for adoption;
• Possess a working knowledge and ability to utilize CWS/CMS computer system; and
• Participate and complete Institute and Academy training courses.

SOCIAL WORKER V

• Provide emergency response intake services in order to receive and screen reports of child neglect and/or abuse from the community and determine the degree of urgency and type of follow up needed;
• Serve as the after-hours emergency response worker in child welfare on a rotational basis;
• Investigate child abuse or neglect referrals;
• When in the field, request law enforcement, mental health, ambulance and/or other emergency services as needed for the immediate safety and protection of children;
• Consult with a supervisor as needed regarding the removal of a child from the home;
• Investigate referrals of alleged sexual abuse of children;
• Order forensic testing;
• Provide initial intake, crisis intervention and counseling services to children and non-minor dependent youth in shelters and similar types of out-of-home care, as well as to their families;
• Prepare petition and position statements for juvenile court hearings;
• Act as the court officer by representing child welfare services and providing case management with regard to early family reunification court processes; performs investigations for Juvenile Court dependency actions;
• Write court reports and makes presentations and recommendations to the Juvenile Court;
• Make and coordinate out-of-home placements for children and/or non-minor dependent youth;
• Gather school, medical and other information to support out-of-home placements;
• Contact relatives;
• Investigate backgrounds/criminal histories of potential placements and assesses the home environment;
• Recommend approval/denial of placements;
• Select suitable out-of-home care placements and supervise the children/youth in these placements;
• Provide crisis intervention and counseling services to children, youth and their parents;
• Provide social casework services to children and youth in out-of-home care and to their parents;
• Arrange and supervise visitations;
• Provide intensive home based services to families a high risk of having a child removed;
• Monitor and report on progress on court-ordered requirements;
• Serve as the primary caseworker for a caseload of children at various stages in the adoption process;
• Conduct studies of potential adoptive homes;
• Assess prospective adoptive parents' suitability for adoption;
• Conduct periodic visits with adoptive families until the adoption is finalized;
• Prepare court reports and recommendations pertaining to adoption status and finalization;
• Provide case management to children and non-minor dependent youth who did not reunify with their parents, were not adopted, and who require permanent placement;
• Participate on community task forces and committees;
• May act as a lead worker over a unit of Social Worker III/IV's;
• Understand the principles/philosophies of Family Decision Meetings and refers cases and participate in the process;
• Utilize automated computer systems to maintain data and information; and
• Participate and complete Institute and Academy training courses.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

SOCIAL WORKER IV TRAINEE & SOCIAL WORKER IV

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Apply the principles of Social Worker practices related to working with children and their families;
• Evaluate personal and psychological factors in children and/or family situations;
• Act effectively under stressful situations;
• Provide specialized individual, family and group counseling;
• Work effectively with professionals in other disciplines and at the same time maintain professional identity;
• Express strong personal and professional ethics;
• Respect and protect the rights of clients and;
• Demonstrate a commitment to children, their protection and their rights to permanent placement, preferably in their own homes.

KNOWLEDGE

• Social service research methods;
• Child development;
• The impact physical and mental health problems have on personality development and functioning;
• Group dynamics; and
• Therapeutic intervention techniques.

SOCIAL WORKER V
SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Apply the principles of Social Worker practices related to working with children and their families;
• Evaluate personal and psychological factors in children and/or family situations;
• Act effectively under stressful situations;
• Provide specialized individual, family and group counseling;
• Work effectively with professionals in other disciplines and at the same time maintain professional identity;
• Express strong personal and professional ethics;
• Respect and protect the rights of clients; and
• Demonstrate a commitment to children, their protection and their rights to permanent placement, preferably in their own homes.

KNOWLEDGE

• Social service research methods;
• Socioeconomic conditions and trends;
• Current issues in the field of child social welfare;
• Social welfare programs at the Federal, State and local levels;
• Child development;
• The impact physical and mental health problems have on personality development and functioning;
• Group dynamics; and
• Therapeutic intervention techniques

We recognize your time is available, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE FOR SOCIAL WORKER IV TRAINEE

• Be within one (1) year of completing a Masters Degree in Social Work or a two-year Master Degree in Counseling. Applicant must attach proof of education to be considered.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE FOR SOCIAL WORKER IV

PATTERN I

• Master's degree in Social Work or an approved two (2) year (60 unit) Masters degree in Counseling.

PATTERN II

• Possession of a Master's degree must be acquired within three (3) months of the application date for the position and prior to appointment.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE FOR SOCIAL WORKER V

• Possession of a Master's degree in social work (MSW) or an approved two (2) year (60 unit) master's degree in counseling; AND
• Two (2) years of experience as a Social Worker IV in a Stanislaus County Child Welfare Program; OR
• Two (2) years of social work casework experience in a public child welfare program area.

LICENSE

• Employees may be required to use personal transportation during the performance of their duties; AND
• Proof of liability insurance as required by the State of California; AND
• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license; AND
• Must possess and maintain a valid Real ID driver license or Identification Card, valid U.S. passport or passport card, military ID or other federally approved identification to fly within the United States during the performance of their duties effective May 2023.

Selected candidates will be required to obtain and maintain security clearance to access federal, state and local detention facilities, schools and hospitals in the performance of their duties.

Proof of education will be required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-558-1200 to make other arrangements before 5 pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing deadline will result in disqualification.

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: Applications will be screened periodically on a monthly basis.

Oral Examination: Oral examinations will be scheduled periodically on a monthly basis.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County Departments.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary .

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$75,441.60 - $96,283.20 Annually