Social Worker I

CalHR•Imperial County, CA

23h

About The Position

Social Worker I is the entry/trainee class in the professional Social Worker series. Under close and constant supervision, employees learn casework methods, procedures, policies, social work principles, social service programs, basic casework methods and techniques, and departmental rules and regulations. They receive in-service training and carry a limited, non-complex social services caseload. Typical assignments are in child welfare and adult services, though assignments may be made to employment services based on agency needs. As employees develop the required skills and knowledge, they exercise greater independence and the full scope of responsibility. Unless a position is permanently allocated to the Social Worker I level, employees are expected to advance to Social Worker II after one year of satisfactory performance at the trainee level. The position performs basic social services casework, identifies clients who need more intensive casework and makes referrals, and carries cases that range from moderately difficult to increasingly difficult. Incumbents receive direct supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor or another higher-level supervisor or manager. The posting identifies this recruitment as bilingual; candidates selected for hire must pass the Spanish bilingual certification examination at ILR Level 3, Professional Working Proficiency. A valid driver's license is required at appointment, and employees may need to drive their own insured vehicle and travel in and out of the county, including by airplane. The position may involve home visits and work with clients across age groups and with disabilities, mental or physical health issues, substance use, abuse or domestic violence, and financial instability. Employees may encounter hostile or emotionally distressed clients, represent the County in administrative appeals and fair hearings, and may be required to work overtime. Other stated conditions include pre-employment drug testing, a physical examination, fingerprinting and background investigation. Employees may be required to change diapers, carry infants or toddlers, and secure children in car seats. All Imperial County employees are considered Disaster Service Workers and might be required to complete associated FEMA training.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience patterns: Pattern 1, graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; or Pattern 2, completion of 30 semester units or 45 quarter units at an accredited college or university, including 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or another social or behavioral science, and either one year of full-time experience in the Social Service Aide, Eligibility Specialist II, Employment and Training Worker II, or comparable classification, or three years of full-time experience providing direct client services to disadvantaged adults or children in a private or public agency.
Demonstrate knowledge of organization, workload and time management; note-taking and report writing; English composition and mechanics; phone etiquette and interviewing; socioeconomic conditions; individual and group behavior; social welfare issues and social worker roles; public welfare programs and policies; case documentation and automated systems; relevant agency laws and regulations; community resources; personality development and group processes; specialized medical, legal, economic, and social needs; crisis intervention; and basic psychopathology and mental health services.
Demonstrate ability to learn agency programs, policies, and procedures; obtain and assess relevant facts; organize work; build effective client rapport and professional working relationships; communicate orally and in writing; analyze situations and choose effective actions; explain public social service programs and rules; develop interviewing, case-recording, and interpretation skills; use community resources; maintain confidentiality; work effectively in stressful or emotionally charged situations; use a personal computer, office equipment, and software; interpret and apply rules and procedures; accept constructive feedback; interact respectfully with clients, including difficult or distressed clients; respect cultural differences; and work with cases of varying difficulty, including clients with dual diagnoses, potential safety risks, or legally complex cases.
Possess a valid driver's license at the time of appointment.
Be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the employment start date.
For this bilingual recruitment, pass the Spanish bilingual certification examination administered by MSS/CalHR at the required ILR Level 3 proficiency in speaking and writing.
Complete the required examination and attain at least 70% to be placed on the eligible list.
Meet essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, ability to work cooperatively, and health consistent with the duties; a medical examination may be required.
Undergo required pre-employment drug testing, physical examination, and fingerprinting for a background investigation.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish in addition to English is identified as an asset; Spanish proficiency is required for this designated bilingual recruitment.

Responsibilities

Interview clients, family members, and others in homes, offices, or by telephone to assess basic social, physical, and mental needs and obtain health information.
Conduct case studies and evaluate individual and family information to assess the safety of children and adults and determine appropriate treatment types and methods.
Assess reports of suspected abuse; may work on-call and provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys.
Develop and carry out culturally sensitive, non-complex to moderate treatment plans for an assigned caseload in accordance with agency, state, and federal requirements; help clients and families develop strategies to meet case-plan goals.
Refer clients to staff or community resources for direct, intensive, or specialized services and counseling; advocate for appropriate services, including enabling services.
Assist applicants and recipients in using available resources.
Explain agency policies, rules, and regulations to applicants, clients, and others within the scope of responsibility.
Make home visits related to casework assignments and conduct safety and risk assessments.
Prepare and maintain case records and databases; communicate decisions, timelines, recommendations, and case plans to clients, families, and service providers.
Testify in court when required.
Participate in in-service training and staff development activities to build knowledge and technical competence; receive casework consultation from professionally trained staff.
Provide community outreach for agency programs.
Maintain client confidentiality and perform duties in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics.
Represent the County in administrative appeals and fair hearings.
Perform other related duties as assigned.