Social Worker Assistant

CalHR • Sonora, CA

4d

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Social Service Aide assists Social Workers by performing designated tasks to improve family functioning and support child and adult services. This paraprofessional role helps relieve Social Workers of routine tasks, including assessing clients in the In-Home Support Services program, teaching parenting and household management skills, and supporting child and adult service programs. The role requires a lower level of skill and training than that of a professional Social Worker. Incumbents receive supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor or another higher-level supervisor or manager.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following minimum qualification pathways: 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of college, including 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units in social welfare, social/human service, sociology, or another social or behavioral science; or two years of full-time experience providing social services to disadvantaged adults or children in a public or private setting; or a combination of education and comparable experience equivalent to two years of full-time experience, including the specified minimum social or behavioral science coursework.
• Know basic rules and regulations regarding In-Home Support Services, child abuse reporting, and Welfare and Institutions Codes.
• Know basic community resources, acceptable housekeeping and homemaking standards, and methods, materials, and equipment used in general housekeeping.
• Know basic methods and attitudes involved in in-home care for physically ill, handicapped, or disabled people, and adequate food preparation using limited kitchen equipment.
• Be able to interview people to obtain information relevant to social services.
• Be able to understand and accept differences in human behavior resulting from cultural, economic, or other forms of deprivation.
• Be able to instruct physically and mentally disabled adults in parenting and household skills.
• Be able to work with physically and sexually abused children.
• Be able to prepare basic written reports and recognize and report indications of need for social services.
• Be able to maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and County regulations.
• Be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, outside organizations, and the public.
• Possess integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively, and health consistent with performing assigned duties.
• Be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish in addition to English is an asset, but is not required.
• A valid driver's license may be required at the time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a routine caseload of elderly adults who are infirm or incapacitated and receiving household services.
• Conduct ongoing client needs assessments, verify needs with medical and health services providers, and present assessments to professional staff for approval.
• Prepare narrative reports about clients’ conditions and services provided or recommended.
• Enter case, client, and contact information into an automated system.
• Refer clients to medical personnel or Social Workers as needed.
• Train and counsel mentally ill and developmentally disabled parents in parenting and household management skills; teach families about meal preparation, budgeting, and household care.
• Monitor the medical and psychological care of abused children.
• Supervise visits between parents and children and report observations to a Social Worker.
• Provide emergency child care.
• Transport or accompany clients to service appointments or interviews.
• May testify in juvenile court hearings.
• Assist Social Workers in providing child and adult social services.
• Act as a liaison between clients, professional staff, and community individuals and groups.
• Help families access and learn about community resources, particularly medical, legal, and employment services.
• Maintain records of work performed and perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous leave accruals
• Step increases after each 2,080 hours worked until the maximum salary is reached
• Longevity incentive
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a substantial employer-paid contribution
• CalPERS retirement benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree