Social Worker I

CalHR•Salinas or Seaside or King City, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is an entry-level trainee position in the professional Social Worker series. Employees in this class are learning casework methods, procedures, and policies, and carry a limited caseload under close supervision. They receive in-service training and learn social work principles, social service programs, basic casework methods, and departmental rules. Assignments are typically within child welfare and adult services programs, but may be assigned to employment services. As skills and knowledge develop, employees gain greater independence. Unless permanently allocated to the Social Worker I level, employees are expected to advance to Social Worker II after one year of satisfactory performance.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; OR
Successful completion of thirty (30) college semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units from an accredited college or university, including fifteen (15) semester units or twenty-two and a half (22.5) quarter units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other social or behavioral science; AND
One (1) year of full-time experience in the Social Service Aide, Eligibility Specialist II, Employment and Training Worker II or comparable classification; OR
Three (3) years of full-time experience providing direct client services to disadvantaged adults or children in a private or public agency.
Knowledge of principles and practices of organization, workload management and time management.
Knowledge of principles and practices of note taking, report writing, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Knowledge of phone etiquette and interview techniques.
Knowledge of socio-economic conditions and trends.
Knowledge of basic principles of individual and group behavior.
Knowledge of current issues in the field of social welfare.
Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of social workers.
Knowledge of principles of interviewing and problem-solving methodology.
Knowledge of basic public welfare programs on the Federal, State, and local level.
Knowledge of general principles of public assistance policies and programs.
Knowledge of developing and preparing court reports, case plans, case narratives, and safety plans in automated computer systems.
Knowledge of entering and retrieving data and narratives from automated computer systems.
Knowledge of basic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording of social casework.
Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency and the role of a social worker.
Knowledge of community organization and the social problems calling for the use of public and private community resources.
Knowledge of basic principles involved in the nature, growth, and development of personality and in-group processes.
Knowledge of the medical, legal, economic, and social management needs of individuals and families with special medical needs such as HIV disease, drug dependency, the medically fragile child, Alzheimer's, and the terminally ill.
Knowledge of the strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the potential for suicide.
Knowledge of basic psychopathology, the different types of mental illness diagnoses, how mental illness affects human behavior, and mental health services and treatments utilized by clients.
Ability to understand and learn agency programs, policies, and procedures.
Ability to obtain facts and recognize relevance and significance.
Ability to organize and maintain work detail.
Ability to establish and maintain effective client rapport and professional working relationships.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
Ability to interpret and explain public social service programs, policies, rules, and regulations.
Ability to develop skill in interviewing, case recording, and interpretation.
Ability to work within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and services.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work effectively in emotionally charged or stressful settings/emergencies.
Ability to operate a personal computer and other office equipment and software.
Ability to analyze data, interpret and apply directions, rules, policies, procedures, and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
Ability to accept and use constructive feedback.
Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with clients, including difficult, hostile, or distressed clients.
Ability to respect cultural differences.
Ability to work with cases varying in difficulty, including clients with dual diagnoses, potentially dangerous clients, or legally complex cases.
Ability to analyze data from multiple sources, interpret and apply complex directions, rules, policies, procedures, and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
Must possess a valid CA Driver License for the class vehicle driven if driving on County business.
Must have and show original Social Security Card and a valid CA Driver License or CA State ID on the first day of work.

Nice To Haves

The ability to speak, read and write Spanish in addition to English would be an asset in this position.

Responsibilities

Performs basic social services casework.
Identifies client needs for more intensive casework services and provides referrals.
Carries a caseload of moderately difficult cases.
Manages a caseload of increasingly difficult cases.
Conducts interviews with clients, family members, and others to assess social, physical, and mental needs.
Performs case studies and evaluates client information to assess safety and determine appropriate treatment.
Assesses reports of suspected abuse.
Develops and carries out culturally sensitive treatment plans for an assigned caseload.
Assists clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish case plan goals.
Refers clients to other staff members or community resources for services.
Advocates on behalf of clients for appropriate services.
Assists applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources.
Interprets agency policies, rules, and regulations.
Makes home visits in connection with casework assignments.
Prepares and maintains case records and databases.
Communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations, and case plans to clients, families, and service providers.
May testify in court.
May be assigned to specialized functions.
Participates in in-service training and staff development activities.
Receives casework consultation from professionally trained staff members.
Provides community outreach for various agency programs.
Maintains client confidentiality.
Performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Carries a caseload that includes cases with problems of moderate difficulty.
Counsels or supports clients with complex or specialized needs.
Provides crisis intervention.
Provides self-help information, education, and services.
Works with client and caregivers to develop and improve caregiving and independent living skills.
Obtains and evaluates policy, medical, and psychological reports.
May serve as mentor to staff, orient staff, and provide training and guidance on cases.