Social Worker II (PO/DL) - Hilo, Hawaii

Hawai`i State Judiciary•Hilo, HI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Working as a Social Worker with the Judiciary provides opportunities to contribute to public welfare and safety. The Judiciary employs social workers in various programs throughout the courts. Duties are program-specific and can be diverse, as are the clients, creating an opportunity to develop and practice a broad range of skills. Social work professionals are committed to enhancing the profession by utilizing evidence-based practices informed by current research to promote client behavioral changes and improve outcomes. The Judiciary may be an excellent choice for those who embrace collaborative casework and seek opportunities to be part of the solution to complex social issues. Hawaii State Judiciary Social Workers work in court programs with a variety of clients and issues. Functions may include, but are not limited to the following: supervision of juvenile law violators, adult law violators, defendants conditionally released from the Hawaii State Hospital, or juvenile status offenders; conducting child custody/visitation evaluations; assisting protection order petitioners; assisting in child welfare services cases referred to the Family Court; juveniles temporarily detained; and engagement of family and community in juvenile cases. Among some of the issues involved in the cases are substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, child abuse and neglect, trauma, disputed child custody/visitation, victim restitution, and others. Social Worker II positions perform a variety of social work tasks ranging from the simple to the moderately difficult cases which do not require the services of a fully trained professionally qualified social worker; investigates and determines kinds of services needed by an individual client, and/or family and carries out approved treatment plans; prepares case records and reports; and performs other duties as required.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor’s degree which included a minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours in courses such as social work, social welfare, criminal justice, human services, counseling, psychology, sociology, or other related social sciences.
Excess work experience as described under Specialized Experience below, or any other responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
The education or experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.
One-half (1/2) year of progressively responsible professional social work experience which involved utilizing a variety of social work skills and exercising professional judgement in the process of assisting individuals and their families with identifying their problems, evaluating the situation realistically, and considering resources and alternative courses of action pertinent to their needs and circumstances.
The work typically involves conducting assessments; developing and implementing a plan of treatment programs and services; working cooperatively with other professionals, community agencies or institutions, in an interdisciplinary team; and evaluating the client’s progress and adjusting plans as appropriate.
Possess a current and valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited four (4) year college or university qualifies for Social Worker II or six (6) months of experience.
A master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited college or university qualifies for Social Worker III or one and one-half (1-1/2) years of experience.
A Ph.D. degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited college or university qualifies for Social Worker IV or two and one-half (2-1/2) years of experience.

Responsibilities

Supervision of juvenile law violators, adult law violators, defendants conditionally released from the Hawaii State Hospital, or juvenile status offenders
Conducting child custody/visitation evaluations
Assisting protection order petitioners
Assisting in child welfare services cases referred to the Family Court
Working with juveniles temporarily detained
Engagement of family and community in juvenile cases
Investigating and determining kinds of services needed by an individual client, and/or family
Carrying out approved treatment plans
Preparing case records and reports
Managing a caseload of clients who have been adjudicated for law violation(s) or status offense(s) and are placed under the jurisdiction of the court for the purposes of supervision under probation or protective supervision, provision of services, or monitoring for compliance with the court's orders
Engaging in collaborative casework with clients who may have serious mental health issues; family conflict; extensive and/or serious law violation histories; severe behavioral problems; disruptive parent/child relationships; drug and/or alcohol abuse, etc.