Social Worker I

Job Description:

Social Worker I

Description

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION . The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.

Supplemental Questionnaire : A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Languages :

QUALIFIED BILINGUAL PERSONS WHO SPEAK ENGLISH AND ARE ALSO FLUENT IN SPANISH, CHINESE, VIETNAMESE, CAMBODIAN, LAOTIAN, KOREAN, MIEN, TAGALOG, AMHARIC, FARSI, DARI, TIGRINYA, RUSSIAN, ROMANIAN OR SIGN LANGUAGE ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL BIWEEKLY COMPENSATION FOR PERSONS IN POSITIONS DESIGNATED BILINGUAL . Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted on-line.

DESCRIPTION

THE SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY

The Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) is comprised of 2,400 men and women working collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community. Services are provided through four departments: Administration and Finance, Adult and Aging Services, Children and Family Services, and Workforce and Benefits Administration. To learn more about the Alameda County Social Services Agency, please visit the website at https://www.alamedasocialservices.org/.

ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH
The mission of the Alameda County Public Health Department is to work in partnership with the community to ensure the optimal health and wellbeing of all people. Alameda County Public Health Department has worked for over 80 years to improve the health and safety of its residents and the neighborhoods they live in. The Public Health Department staff are committed to the following values:

Healthy People in Healthy Communities
Equity and Social Justice
Accountability and Quality
Leadership and Innovation
Trust and Transparency
Humility and Respect

Traditional public health concerns such as disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and access to health care are compounded by contemporary concerns such as: economic disenfranchisement and homelessness, racism, sexual and reproductive health and rights, crime, violence, and substance abuse. Each of these poses a threat to public health and wellness and calls for innovative solutions, in close partnership with impacted communities. For more information about our Alameda County Public Health Department, please visit the Alameda County Public Health Department Website and latest Annual Budget document found onwww.acphd.org.

THE POSITION

The Social Worker I classification is a part of a three-level flexibly staffed series of the Social Worker Classifications. Social Worker I’s will provide clients with social services of a specialized nature, including protective and supportive casework services to clients. Incumbents in these classifications do not have caseload standards. This classification is distinguished from the next higher one of Social Worker II in that the former class is an entry-level Social Worker who is closely supervised in performing the duties of the position and receives on-the-job training for six (6) months by a Social Work Supervisor or higher-level manager in the Social Services Agency, or a first-line supervisor or higher-level manager in the Alameda County Health.

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THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas:

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral; articulating information and ideas to various individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand.

• Providing outstanding customer service at all levels and displaying strong professional integrity when handling confidential and sensitive information and/or situations.

• Exhibiting strong critical thinking & analytical abilities through skillfully applying and evaluating information gathered or generated by various elements to determine the best possible course of action applicable to clients' needs.

• Expertise as a self-directed problem-solver with high standards for quality and a strong commitment to public and community service.

• Remarkable organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and accomplish multiple projects simultaneously.

• Moderate case management experience providing substantial services and having knowledge of best practices such as: motivational interviewing, harm reduction, trauma informed care and cultural competency.

• Prudent decision-making ability, with a history of choosing the appropriate courses of action by considering all implications and consequences, committing to action and ensuring successful implementation.

• Objectively assess psychosocial needs of clients and a track record of developing and maintaining collaborative rapport with internal and external resources for effective client referrals.

• Success in managing clients with severe behavioral issues, depression and other mental health issues, drug/alcohol dependencies, effects of physical/sexual abuse, extensive exposure to violence, homelessness and/or other trauma as well as a lack of basic needs.

• Proficient technical skills in the use of computer applications with the ability to successfully navigate client tracking systems to increase efficiency and productivity throughout the workday.

• Remaining flexible and open to new ideas when assessing the needs of clients.

THE VACANCIES

We are currently recruiting for vacancies in the Social Services Agency. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used by any County department or agency needing to fill a vacancy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Education :

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units), which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter units in social welfare, social/human services, public health, sociology, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling, or other behavioral science.

OR II

Education :

Equivalent to graduation from a two (2)-year accredited college (90 quarter units or 60-semester units), which includes fifteen (15) semester or twenty-two (22) quarter units in social welfare, social/human services, public health, sociology, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling, or other behavioral science,

AND

Experience :

The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience as an Eligibility Services Technician II, Community Outreach Worker II, or equivalent or higher-level classification in the Alameda County classified service.

OR

Experience :

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time social casework experience working in a recognized public or non-profit social services, health, or human services agency.

License :

All positions require possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Special Requirements :

Fluency in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Farsi, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Cambodian is desirable.

NOTE : The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of :

• Principles, practices, and techniques of social work.

• Provisions of the California Welfare and Institutions Code, the Social Security Act, and other pertinent legislation in the field of public welfare, including changes and developments in such legislation.

• Aims and functions of community organization and resources, including available services in the employment field County and State Health and Human Services Agency and health care.

• Basic psychological theory and practices as related to human behavior.

• Public and private social agencies and other community resources.

Ability to :

• Analyze and evaluate individual situations to reach sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

• Interpret complex Federal and State laws, rules, regulations, and procedures.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other professional personnel and the general public, culturally diverse populations, other departments/agencies, co-workers, and other groups and organizations.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Prioritize work.

• Demonstrate good customer service, interpersonal sensitivity, and diplomacy when working with others regarding sensitive or crisis situations.

• Implement effective caseload management techniques.

• Deal impartially and with restraint in stressful situations.

• Follow complex oral and written instructions.

• Use computers and software applications effectively.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps:

Closing Date/Time: 4/14/2025 5:00:00 PM

Salary:

$37.44 - $44.64/hour; $73,008.00 - $87,048.00/year