Overview
Under general direction, the Social Worker IV A/B performs case work of an advanced nature dealing with complex individual and family problems; undertakes intensive treatment plans and counseling requiring professional knowledge and training; performs other related work as assigned.
Social Worker IV A/B requires a Master’s degree and social work case management experience in a public or private social services agency. This is the highest non-supervisory level in the series. Incumbents perform case work requiring the application of high level and sophisticated social services expertise and techniques, generally in areas such as adult and child protective services.
The MQ patterns of the SW IV-B mirror the patterns for the SW IV-A. The distinguishing difference is that the SW IV-B requires one additional year of experience from what is required for the SW IV-A. Social Worker IV differs from the next higher class of Social Worker Supervisor I in that the latter is the first supervisory level. Social Worker IV differs from Social Worker III in that the latter does not require both a Master’s degree and qualifying experience.
The Monterey County Department of Social Services offers an Employment Bonus up to $5,000 to candidates hired into a full-time Social Worker IV/V permanent position (subject to qualification & taxation).
Flexible staffing: This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.
Bilingual Desirable: English/Spanish bilingual skills are desirable for this position, but not required as a condition of employment.
Supervision exercised and received: Social Worker IV A/B receives supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor or other higher-level supervisor or manager pursuant to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) Division 31 regulations (31.070). A Social Worker IV A/B may provide lead direction to lower level Social Workers or service employees.
Duties (may include, but are not limited to):
- Performs case studies for the purpose of assessing problems and determining appropriate types and methods of treatment.
- Develops intensive long or short-term treatment plans, which require a comprehensive fund of professional knowledge with the aim of improving or restoring individual or family functioning.
- Ensures all services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive and appropriate manner and
- Acts as a casework consultant to staff members without professional training.
- Functions at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, protective services, medical social work, family services, community organization and research.
- May perform the following specific types of counseling: marital, family inter-relationship, protective services for children or adults incapable of self-care.
- Investigates and provides services to children where their physical or emotional welfare is involved such as cases of neglect, abuse, emotional or behavioral problems, physical or mental disabilities, or other health conditions involving a child’s personality; unmarried parenthood; conflict in parent-child relationships; lack of proper guardianship of a child; problems in school or community relationships; inadequate child care arrangements by working parents or the absence of one parent from the home and its effects on the stability of the child’s home.
- Receives reports of children, dependent adults and elderly abuse; investigates allegations by conducting interviews with victims and others; assesses situations to protect vulnerable adults and children and recommends, implements and monitors alternate placement, may remove children from unsafe situations; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may be required to work on-call; may testify in court; supports witnesses and victims who must testify in court.
- Assesses prospective foster and adoptive parents; matches children with adoptive/foster parents, and counsels foster and adoptive families.
- Refers clients to other staff members
- Coordinates and directly monitors family visitations to assess progress toward the case plan goals.
- Interprets and explains rules, regulations and policies to clients and applicants.
- Maintains casework records and handles relevant correspondence.
- Develops and prepares court reports, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systems.
- Operates a personal computer and other office equipment; enters and retrieves data and narratives from automated computer systems.
- Prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations, and case plans to clients, families, and service providers.
- Communicates effectively with clients and others in writing, in person, and over the telephone.
- Analyzes data, interprets directions, procedures and regulations, and develops appropriate responses.
- Performs job duties under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
- Responds appropriately to situations.
- Maintains confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations; performs all duties in conformance with the NASW Code of Ethics.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Employment Standards
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of organization, workload management, and time management.
- Principles and practices of note taking, report writing, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Phone etiquette and interview techniques.
- Principles and practices of counseling, bio-psychosocial assessments and therapy
- Physical and mental health principles and the impact on the personality.
- Local socio-economic conditions, trends, and current problems and methodology in the field of public social services.
- Basic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording the social casework.
- Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency and the role and responsibilities of a social worker.
- Community organizations and social problems calling for the use of public and private community resources.
- Basic principles involved in the nature, growth and development of personality, and in-group processes.
- Basic principles of individual and group behavior.
- Current issues in the field of social welfare.
- Principles of analysis and problem-solving methodology.
- Basic public welfare programs on the Federal, State, and local level.
- General principles of public assistance policies and programs.
- 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, Alzheimer's, and the terminally ill.
- Strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the potential for suicide.
- psychopathology, the different types of mental illness diagnoses, how mental illness affects human behavior and mental health services and treatments utilized by clients.
- Signs, stages and dynamics of abuse, and the effects of abuse on child/adult development and behavior.
- Signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug use/abuse in adults and children and the effects on families.
- Standards for maintaining clients safely in home; options for placement; effects of removing clients from unsafe situations.
Ability to:
- Apply the principles of child psychology and family relationships.
- Evaluate personal psychological factors in the child and/or family's situation.
- Recognize signs of abuse for children, the elderly and dependent adults; assess risk factors and potential dangers to clients.
- Act effectively in stressful situations.
- Demonstrate skill in the more difficult casework areas.
- Accept and use consultative supervision.
- Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
- Apply existing laws, rules and regulations to welfare department operations and interpret and explain to the applicant, recipient, or others public social services programs, policies, rules and regulations.
- Develop skill in interviewing, case recording and interpretation.
- Interact professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, or distressed clients.
- Respect cultural differences.
- Work constructively within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and services.
- Understand and learn the agency programs, policy and procedures.
- Obtain and recognize relevant and significant facts.
- Organize and maintain work detail.
- Relate and work well with agency staff, clients, and others.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain client rapport on an individual basis.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
- Use computers and related software.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff, clients, and outside organizations.
Candidates who are within six months of meeting the educational requirements for this classification may be admitted to the examination, provided they complete the requirement and submit proof of graduation prior to appointment.
Social Worker IV A / IV B Qualifications
Pattern 1: A master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university;
OR
Pattern 2: A master’s degree from an accredited two-year counseling program; qualifying counseling degrees include Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Gerontology, Counseling Psychology.
Pattern 3: One year of full-time experience performing advanced journey (equivalent to MSS SW III) level social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency and master’s degree in social or behavioral science, psychology, anthropology, sociology and counseling education.
Social Worker IV B: (This level is for candidates with a master’s degree and experience. Experience during an internship does not count at this level).
Pattern 1: A master’s degree in Social Work and one year of full-time experience performing social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency;
Pattern 2: A master’s degree from an accredited two-year counseling program and one year of experience in social work case management as above.
Pattern 3: Two years of full-time experience performing advanced journey level social work case management and master’s degree in social or behavioral science, psychology, anthropology, sociology and counseling education.
Miscellaneous
- The Employment Bonus is paid in the employee’s paycheck as follows:
- 20% upon hire (1st paycheck)
- 30% after the completion of 90 days of employment
- 50% at the completion of one calendar year of service
- Spanish language ability is optional.
- Employees who drive on County business must possess a valid CA Driver License for the class vehicle driven.
- The Department of Social Services will conduct a thorough background and reference check process including a Department of Justice fingerprint check.
- Employees must have and show their original Social Security Card and a valid CA Driver License or CA State ID on first day of work.
- Background investigations may be required for access to federal tax information with related requirements.
Veterans Preference: If you would like to request Veteran’s preference points as part of the application packet, please attach a copy of your DD-214 form to your application.
Examination Information
The Training & Experience Examination is weighted 100% and designed to elicit knowledge, skills, abilities, and potential to perform the duties of the classification. A minimum score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.
MSS is accepting applications on a continuous basis. Qualifying candidates will be notified via email with instructions for completing the examination within 30 days of the date of application.
Eligible List Information
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the County of Monterey and used for 12 months unless conditions warrant a change.
Retest Period
Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for six (6) months from the eligible date.
Special Testing Arrangements
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. Contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 with requests and provide documentation five business days prior to a scheduled examination.
Application Documents
If using education to meet minimum qualifications, attach transcripts. For foreign transcripts, provide a transcript evaluation. Redact birthdates and Social Security numbers.
General Information
The MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee success in the examination or placement.
General Qualifications: Applicants must possess integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, ability to work cooperatively, and health appropriate to perform duties. A medical examination and background investigation may be required.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, veteran status, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, or sexual orientation.