Child Welfare Services Policy and Program Specialist

Job Description:

Child Welfare Services Policy and Program Specialist

Description

The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) is currently recruiting for a Child Welfare Services (CWS) Policy & Program Specialist to join the Human Services Branch. CWS Policy & Program Specialists analyze and track pending, new, and revised legislation, initiatives, and emerging practices that govern CWS program areas to determine the impact upon operations. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill immediate and future vacancies throughout Tulare County’s Human Services Branch.

The CWS Policy & Program Specialist will work with CWS Administration, departmental representatives, community groups, and county, state, and federal representatives on issues concerning assigned program areas. This position requires a high level of flexibility in successfully working with people, data, and policy. The successful candidate will act as a technical expert and resource to CWS staff, and will develop and evaluate CWS program memoranda, policies, and procedures. The incumbent will ensure program operations meet state and federal requirements and that interpretations are consistent. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of state, federal, and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations, legislative issues, and policies and procedures relevant to CWS.

Typical Duties

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and track pending, new and revised legislation, initiatives and emerging practices that govern CWS program areas in order to determine impact upon CWS operations; anticipate and provide reports to management regarding the effects of legislation on work load, needs, roles, etc.
• Evaluate existing operations and procedures within an assigned CWS program area ; collect data and make recommendations for procedural or organizational changes; plan and implement program changes with required resources; analyze the impact of proposed changes on current staffing levels, work flow, and clients.
• Act as technical expert and resource person to staff regarding CWS program policies and procedures.
• Work with CWS Administration as well as other various units within CWS on issues concerning assigned program areas; may serve as departmental representative or lead on various program initiatives, super user groups, committees, and at meetings on a County, regional, State or Federal level; facilitate internal policy and procedure meetings; review division work for compliance with Federal, State and County regulations, policies and procedures.
• Provide training to CWS staff and others.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the qualifications listed below by the application deadline.

• Bachelor's degree in social work, behavioral science or social science from an accredited college or university.
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible paid experience as a Lead Social Worker or Supervisor of Child Welfare Services.

Desirable Qualifications

• Masters degree in social work, behavioral science or social science from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible paid experience as a Lead Social Worker or Supervisor of Child Welfare Services.

Certificate:

• Must obtain Temporary Reviewer Certification from Northern California Training Academy within 30 days of appointment to the classification.
• Must obtain certification for case reviews from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) within five months of appointment to the classification.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

• Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

Student Loan Forgiveness

• This is a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007, and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation .

**PLEASE NOTE: ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED**

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 19

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement : The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave : 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual :
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.

Sick Leave Accrual : 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 60 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Career Incentive Pay

Employees who have completed five (5) or more Years of Service with Tulare County and meet the eligibility criteria described in Administrative Regulation – 52, earn additional pay according to the schedule below. Excludes Fire Battalion Chiefs.

Years of Service

% Increase

Total

5

3%

3%

10

2%

5%

15

3%

8%

20

2%

10%

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $30,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Long Term Disability Insurance: A Long Term Disability plan is provided. This provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled.

Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation : A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

Closing Date/Time: 9/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$83,701.35 - $102,009.37 Annually