Assistant Social Worker/Social Worker

County of Shasta•Redding, CA

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is within the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency, Economic Mobility Branch. The Assistant Social Worker role involves determining the need for basic social services, performing elementary social studies, and providing limited casework services. The Social Worker role involves carrying a service caseload, conducting social studies, developing service plans, providing information about services, and referring clients to appropriate resources. Specific roles within the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) program will involve direct outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness with behavioral health needs, requiring knowledge of homelessness systems and safety awareness. The Housing Support Program (HSP) role will assist individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are receiving Cash Aid, working to overcome housing barriers and obtain permanent housing, and collaborating with landlords and community partners. The Assistant Social Worker is a trainee class, receiving constant and detailed supervision, while the Social Worker is a full journey level class, handling more difficult and sensitive services with greater independence.

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 (for Assistant Social Worker).
Two (2) years of experience performing professional social casework services (for Social Worker).
Possession of a master's degree in social work or a master's degree from a two-year counseling program (for Social Worker).
Be a registered MFCC intern with California State Board of Behavioral Science (for Social Worker).
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 (for Social Worker).
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 (for Social Worker).
Basic principles of individual and group behavior.
General nature of social problems calling for the general principles of public assistance policies and programs.
Basic public welfare programs of the Federal, State, and local levels.
Principles of interviewing and methodology.
Socio-economic conditions and trends.
Establish rapport with clients and their families in working toward a solution for their problem.
Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
Speak and write effectively.
Learn and understand the agency programs and automated systems.
Social casework objectives, principles, methods and caseload organization and management.
Functions and services provided by a public social service agency including basic knowledge of community resources.
Principles of human growth and development.
Laws, policies and administrative procedures of County social service programs.
Community organization and the social problems calling for the use of public and private community resources.
Principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social casework.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with clients and their families, other employees, representatives of other public agencies and community organizations and groups.
Effectively use community and agency resources.
Utilize supervision and direction effectively to meet program goals of the department.
Communicate effectively in written and oral form.
Manage a difficult caseload.
Understand and explain pertinent regulations and policies.
Maintain current, accurate case records and use automated systems as necessary.
Understanding of poverty and the homeless population in Shasta County.
Experience working with people who are homeless, with substance abuse and/or mental health issues.
Good understanding of resources in Shasta County.
Great communication, organization, and teamwork skills.
Understanding of homeless systems and barriers preventing individuals from obtaining housing without assistance (for BHBH program).

Nice To Haves

Experience working with clients involved in the Child and Family Services or Mental Health/Substance Use systems.

Responsibilities

Carry a caseload involving the determination of need for basic social service functions for applicants or clients.
Perform elementary social studies to identify a need for more intensive casework services.
Provide limited casework services of a general tangible nature.
Carry a service caseload and provide social services.
Conduct social studies and develop service plans which may include the need for specialized social services.
Provide information about available services and arrange for referral of clients to appropriate departmental or community human services resources.
Provide direct outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, including engagement within encampments and other field-based settings (for BHBH program).
Assist individuals experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness and are receiving Cash Aid to overcome housing barriers and obtain permanent housing (for HSP program).
Work closely with landlords and other community partners to connect participants to services (for HSP program).
Provide support and encouragement, empower participants to learn new skills, and provide basic life skills training (for HSP program).
Interpret services rules, regulations, and policy to clients and the general public.
Maintain necessary casework records.
Attend training courses designed to further understanding of the social work processes and to increase technical competence.
Diagnose client problems and follow through with treatment plans with a high degree of independence.
Explain the optional and mandatory nature of social services programs.
Interpret State, County and departmental rules, regulations and policies to individuals and groups.
Respond to requests for information and make referrals to appropriate workers or departments.
Gather, maintain and disseminate current information on community resources.
Prepare reports, case records and correspondence.
Function in a lead capacity and assist with casework consultation and training for other social workers (as an additional duty).
Assist in developing and implementing unit policies and procedures.
Act in the absence of the supervisor or as designated in assigning cases and reviewing and approving case decisions.
Attend meetings and do related work as needed.