Assistant Social Worker/Social Worker

County of Shasta•Redding, CA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Shasta County Public Defender’s Office and serves justice-involved clients. The Assistant Social Worker, a trainee classification, provides support by assessing social service needs, conducting initial social studies, identifying barriers, and connecting clients with community resources. They also provide limited casework and assist Social Workers and attorneys. The Social Worker, a full journey-level classification, independently manages a caseload, conducting comprehensive social assessments, developing individualized service plans, and coordinating treatment, diversion, and supportive services. They work collaboratively with attorneys, clients, providers, and partners to address client needs and support successful case outcomes. The ideal candidate is compassionate, motivated, and committed to serving justice-involved individuals with mental health, substance use, and other barriers. Strong communication and organizational skills, an interest in behavioral health and community resources, and the ability to work collaboratively are essential. Experience in mental health and substance use diversion, collaborative courts, treatment services, and rehabilitation is highly desirable. The Public Defender's Office has provided representation for over 20 years, focusing on compassionate, holistic defense and protecting the rights and dignity of clients. Shasta County offers a desirable quality of life with amenities of a big city and a small-town atmosphere.

Requirements

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other behavioral sciences.
Two (2) years of experience performing professional social casework services; OR Possession of a master's degree in social work or a master's degree from a two-year counseling program; OR Be a registered MFCC intern with California State Board of Behavioral Science; OR Possession of a bachelor's degree, including thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology or other behavioral sciences AND two (2) years of experience as an Assistant Social Worker in Shasta County; OR Possession of a bachelor's degree, including thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other behavioral sciences AND two (2) years of experience performing social casework services in child or adult protective services comparable to an Assistant Social Worker in Shasta County.

Nice To Haves

An interest in mental health and substance use diversion, collaborative courts, treatment services, and rehabilitation is highly desirable.
Experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system or experiencing mental health, substance use, homelessness, or other significant social or behavioral health challenges.
Experience coordinating or referring clients to behavioral health treatment, substance use treatment, housing, benefits, or other community-based services.

Responsibilities

Provides support to justice-involved clients by assessing basic social service needs, conducting initial social studies, identifying barriers to stability and successful case outcomes, and connecting clients with appropriate community resources.
Provides limited casework services and assists Social Workers and attorneys with service coordination, documentation, and client support.
Provides social services to justice-involved clients by conducting comprehensive social assessments, developing individualized service plans, and coordinating treatment, diversion, and other supportive services.
Provides information regarding available resources and facilitates referrals to appropriate community providers and human service agencies.
Works collaboratively with Public Defender attorneys, clients, treatment providers, and community partners to address client needs and support successful case outcomes.
Studies and applies the principles and techniques of social work to a caseload which includes basic types of services problems.
Interviews clients to ascertain the nature of their problems and develop elementary services plans.
Carries out the less difficult services plans under close supervision where the end result normally is a tangible service, such as employment, referral to a community center or an environmental change.
Makes referrals to other staff members when problems are beyond level of competence.
Interprets services rules, regulations, and policy to clients and the general public when within the scope of responsibility.
Maintains necessary casework records.
Attends training courses designed to further understanding of the social work processes and to increase technical competence.
Carries a caseload of the more difficult types of social service cases involving individualized treatment and specialized advanced application of casework methods and skills.
Diagnoses client problems and follows through with the more difficult treatment plans with a high degree of independence.
Interviews clients in office or home to assess needs for service.
Explains the optional and mandatory nature of social services programs.
Interprets State, County and departmental rules, regulations and policies to individuals and groups.
Responds to requests for information and makes referrals to appropriate workers or departments.
Gathers, maintains and disseminates current information on community resources.
Prepares reports, case records and correspondence.
Assists in developing and implementing unit policies and procedures.
Acts in the absence of the supervisor or as designated in assigning cases and reviewing and approving case decisions.
Attends meetings and does related work as needed.
Meets with clients, many of whom will be incarcerated, to assess treatment needs and develop treatment plans with the goal of reducing recidivism and enhancing the prospects for successful re-entry into the community.
Collaborates with attorneys to develop alternatives to incarceration for clients suffering from substance abuse problems or mental illness.
Refers clients to appropriate services and occasionally advocates on their behalf in court proceedings.