Social Services Worker III-CWS Lead

County of Tulare•Visalia, CA

14h

About The Position

This recruitment establishes an employment list for current and future vacancies within the Health and Human Services Agency. The list is anticipated to remain active for six months. Current vacancies are with the Health and Human Services Agency in Visalia. The Social Services Worker III-CWS Lead manages a caseload across the Child Welfare Services spectrum, including emergency response, family maintenance, family reunification, permanency planning, and adoptions. The role assigns cases to other Social Services Workers III-CWS, consults with staff about their cases, reviews and approves case treatment plans, and monitors case plans for timeliness. The lead also assists with performance evaluations and ensures new employees receive mentoring and training. Candidates selected may be required to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. A background investigation may be conducted and may be repeated every 10 years for some positions. Employment eligibility verification through E-Verify may be required on the first day for some positions, and some job classes may require a physical exam. This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, subject to the stated eligibility rules.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work or another behavioral science.
One year of advanced case management experience equivalent to that of a Social Services Worker III-CWS.
Knowledge of child abuse and neglect dynamics; interviewing and counseling methods; courtroom procedures and etiquette; community resources; social work and social service terminology; caseload management; treatment plan development and implementation; techniques for diagnosing family situations and problems; and basic arithmetic.
Ability to work and communicate effectively with people from varied educational and socioeconomic backgrounds while respecting differing beliefs, interpersonal styles, and behaviors.
Ability to operate contemporary office equipment, including a computer, keyboard, and applicable electronic equipment.
Ability to manage a caseload and supervise, train, evaluate, and monitor Social Services Workers III-CWS.
Ability to communicate technical information verbally; read, interpret, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and write clear, concise, grammatically correct case narratives, court reports, records, and letters.
Ability to follow instructions, retain and recall information, adjust to workload changes, coordinate work, establish rapport, and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to enter and retrieve data using a statewide computerized client tracking and management system.
Ability to use patience, tact, and courtesy with people under varied circumstances and emotional stress; analyze problems and information; draw conclusions and make recommendations; and respond effectively to emergencies and stressful situations.
Ability to type or keyboard accurately at 35 words per minute.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate and valid California driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of child development and adoption laws, regulations, and processes.
Ability to apply child abuse and neglect dynamics to case situations and use child development dynamics to assess a child’s developmental stage.
Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish, Hmong, or another client language.
Master’s degree in social work or another behavioral science.
Two years of experience as a Social Services Worker III-CWS in Tulare County.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload within Child Welfare Services, including emergency response, family maintenance, family reunification, permanency planning, and adoptions.
Assign cases to other Social Services Workers III-CWS and consult with staff on case matters.
Review and approve case treatment plans and monitor case plans for timeliness.
Assist in completing performance evaluations.
Ensure new employees receive mentoring and training.
Investigate family situations involving neglect or child abuse and make recommendations.
Use and develop community resources to serve client needs.
Prepare, organize, and give oral presentations.
Maintain confidentiality of information and materials.