County of Monterey is hiring: Social Worker IV in Sacramento

Overview

Join to apply for the Social Worker IV role at County of Monterey.

Position Information

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.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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.
• Acts as a casework consultant to staff members without professional training.
• Functions at a highly skilled level in areas such 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 welfare is involved...
• Receives reports of children, dependent adults and elderly abuse; investigates allegations; assesses situations to protect vulnerable adults and children; may remove children from unsafe situations; may testify in court; supports witnesses and victims who must testify.
• Assesses prospective foster and adoptive parents; matches children with adoptive/foster parents, and counsels foster and adoptive families.
• Refs clients to other staff members; coordinates and directly monitors family visitations to assess progress toward 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 systems; operates a PC and data entry; 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 and develops appropriate responses.
• Presents and maintains confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and 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.
• Counseling, bio-psychosocial assessments and therapy.
• Health and social care concepts, laws, regulations, community resources, and crisis intervention.
• Standards for maintaining clients safely in home; crisis response protocols.

Ability To

• Apply the principles of child psychology and family relationships; evaluate and assess risk factors; act effectively in stressful situations.
• Demonstrate advanced casework skills; accept and use supervision; analyze situations and determine courses of action.
• Explain laws, rules and policies to clients; interview, record and interpret information; maintain confidentiality; use computers.
• Develop client rapport; work with diverse populations; collaborate with agency staff and external partners.

Minimum Qualifications

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
Pattern 1: Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university; Pattern 2: Master’s degree from an accredited two-year counseling program; Pattern 3: One year of full-time experience performing advanced social work case management with a Master’s degree in a related field.

Social Worker IV B
Pattern 1: Master’s degree in Social Work and one year of full-time experience; Pattern 2: Master’s degree and one year of experience from a two-year counseling program; Pattern 3: Two years of experience with a relevant Master’s degree.

Supplemental Information

• The Employment Bonus is paid in installments: 20% at hire, 30% after 90 days, 50% after one year.
• Spanish language ability is optional but advantageous depending on position.
• Background checks, driver license requirements, and other standard employment prerequisites apply.

Veterans Preference
Attach a copy of your DD-214 form to your application if you wish to request veteran’s preference points.

Examination Information

Training & Experience Examination – weighted 100%. A minimum score of 70% is required. MSS is accepting applications on a continuous basis with notification by email for the examination.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants.

About Monterey County

Located on California’s Pacific Coast, Monterey County offers diverse regions and a rich cultural landscape, with opportunities to serve a broad community.

About Monterey County Social Services Department

Monterey County Department of Social Services administers over seventy programs serving about 200,000 residents. The department emphasizes diversity and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. The county is an equal opportunity employer.