Social Worker I at CalHR

Position InformationPerforms basic social services casework; identifies client needs for more intensive casework services and provides referrals; carries a caseload of moderately difficult cases; manages a caseload of increasingly difficult cases; and performs other related work as assigned.Working under close supervision Social Worker I is the entry/trainee class in the professional Social Worker series. Employees in this class are learning casework methods procedures policies and carry a limited non-complex social services caseload under close supervision and receive in-service training; are given close and constant supervision while learning social work principles social service programs basic case work methods and techniques and departmental rules regulations and procedures. Typical assignments are within child welfare and adult services programs; however at the agencys discretion positions may be assigned to employment services to perform social services case work for employment services clients as required by department needs. As requisite skill and knowledge is developed greater independence and the full scope of responsibility is exercised. Unless a position is permanently allocated to the Social Worker I level due to the nature of the work employees are expected to advance to the Social Worker II after one year of satisfactory performance at the trainee level.SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVEDIncumbents in the Social Worker I/II classification receive direct supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor or other higher-level supervisor or manager.Examples of DutiesDuties may include but are not limited to the following:(Note: For Social Worker I duties are performed at the entry/trainee level.)Conducts interviews with clients family members and others in their home in the office or via telephone to assess the basic social physical and mental needs of clients and obtain health information in order to identify and provide social servicesPerforms case studies and evaluates individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determines appropriate types and methods of treatmentAssesses reports of suspected abuse; may be required to work on-call; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneysDevelops and carries out culturally sensitive non-complex to moderate treatment plans for an assigned caseload in conformance with agency state and federal requirements; assists clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish case plan goalsRefers clients to other staff members or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary; advocates on the clients behalf for most appropriate services including enabling servicesAssists applicants and recipients in utilizing available resourcesInterprets policies rules and regulations of the agency to applicants clients and others within the scope of their responsibilityMakes home visits in connection with casework assignmentsPrepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions timelines recommendations and case plans to clients families and service providersMay testify in courtMay be assigned to specialized functionsParticipates in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve technical competenceReceives casework consultation from professionally trained staff membersProvides community outreach for various agency programsMaintains client confidentiality; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of EthicsPerforms related duties as assignedEMPLOYMENT STANDARDSNote: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as distinguished between the two levels in the Definition Section.Knowledge of:Principles and practices of organization workload management and time managementPrinciples and practices of note taking report writing English composition grammar punctuation and spellingPhone etiquette and interview techniquesSocio-economic conditions and trendsBasic principles of individual and group behaviorCurrent issues in the field of social welfareRole and responsibilities of social workersPrinciples of interviewing and problem-solving methodologyBasic public welfare programs on the Federal State and local levelGeneral principles of public assistance policies and programsDeveloping and preparing court report case plans case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systemsEntering and retrieving data and narratives from automated computer systemsBasic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording of social caseworkLaws rules and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency and the role of a social workerCommunity organization and the social problems calling for the use of public and private community resourcesBasic principles involved in the nature growth and development of personality and in-group processesThe 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 Alzheimers and the terminally illThe strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the potential for suicideBasic psychopathology the different types of mental illness diagnoses how mental illness affects human behavior and mental health services and treatments utilized by clientsAbility to:Understand and learn the agency programs policies and proceduresObtain facts and recognize the relevance and significanceOrganize and maintain work detailEstablish and maintain effective client rapport and professional working relationships with agency staff clients and othersCommunicate effectively both orally (phone and in person) and in writingAnalyze situations and adopt effective courses of actionInterpret and explain to the applicant recipient or others public social service programs policies rules and regulationsDevelop skill in interviewing case recording and interpretationWork within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and servicesMaintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulationsWork effectively in emotionally charged or stressful settings/emergenciesOperate a personal computer and other office equipment and softwareAnalyze data interpret and apply directions rules policies procedures and regulations and develop appropriate responsesAccept and use constructive feedbackInteract professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult hostile or distressed clientsRespect cultural differencesWork with cases varying in difficulty /clients including clients with dual diagnoses potentially dangerous clients or legally complex casesAnalyze data from multiple sources interpret and apply complex directions rules policies procedures and regulations and develop appropriate responsesMinimum QualificationsPattern 1: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university;ORPattern 2: Successful completion of thirty (30) college semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units from an accredited college or university including fifteen (15) semester units or twenty-two and a half (22.5) quarter units in social welfare social/human services sociology or other social or behavioral science*;ANDOne (1) year of full-time experience in the Social Service Aide Eligibility Specialist II Employment and Training Worker II or comparable classification; ORThree (3) years of full-time experience providing direct client services to disadvantaged adults or children in a private or public agency.*Examples of acceptable social or behavioral science courses include: anthropology criminal justice education ethnic studies history human development human services law nursing nutrition psychology public health social welfare sociology welfare womens studies.Supplemental InformationExamination InformationTraining & Experience Examination Weighted 100%The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidates knowledge skill abilities and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. To obtain a position on the eligible list candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.Eligible List InformationA departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Lassen. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.Retest PeriodOnce you have taken the examination you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.Special Testing ArrangementsSpecial testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability military or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements please contact CalHR at or upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical military school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.Education DocumentsIf you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.General InformationThis position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity initiative dependability good judgement the ability to work cooperatively with others and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process a background investigation may be required.Equal Employment OpportunityThe Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all regardless of age ancestry color disability (mental and physical) exercising the right to family care and medical leave gender gender expression gender identity genetic information marital status medical condition military or veteran status national origin political affiliation race religious creed sex (includes pregnancy childbirth breastfeeding and related medical conditions) and sexual orientation.Additional InformationA valid drivers license may be required at the time of appointment and employees may also be required to drive their own car provide proof of car insurance and a DMV clearance. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Position may require pre-employment drug testing physical and fingerprinting for a background investigation.Government agencies accessing US government information which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. A background check may be required if the position requires access to these types of records. Background requirements consist of three components which include fingerprinting citizenship verification and local law enforcement checks. Applicable agencies must conduct investigation during time of hire and ensure a reinvestigation is conducted 10 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information.About Lassen CountyLassen County is abundantly rich in natural beauty and has a terrain that affords residents year-round recreational activities. The County has excellent air quality and its rural communities are ideal for raising families with a favorable cost of living and low rate of crime and traffic. Lassen County is an outdoor paradise where the beautiful Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains meet the desert of the Great Basin. Because of the unique terrain theres something here for everyone. Elevations range from the high desert to alpine levels and the outdoor activities are among the best in the state from golf to horseback riding mountain biking running and hiking on the extensive trails. Key Skills Motivational Interviewing,Acute Care,Crisis Intervention,Behavioral Health,Intake Experience,Hospice Care,Case Management,Home Care,Child Welfare,Experience with Children,Social Work,Addiction Counseling Employment Type : Full-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1 Hourly Salary Salary: 20 - 27