Social Worker II - Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS)

County of Santa Clara • San Jose, CA

4d

About The Position

Under general supervision, assesses client needs and develops treatment plans across a variety of social service functions. Social Worker II positions in the Social Services Agency may be assigned to programs including Adult Protective Services, CalWorks Employment Services, SSI Advocacy, In Home Supportive Services, and the Department of Family and Children's Services. DFCS assignments focus on child safety, well-being, and permanency and may involve receiving and investigating reports of alleged abuse or neglect; determining risk and whether removal from the home is necessary; developing interventions and case plans; arranging and monitoring services; providing case management; preparing case records, court reports, safety plans, and other legal documents; testifying in court; assessing caregivers and placements; and conducting home visits. The work may address issues such as substance abuse, intimate partner violence, mental health, sexual abuse, parenting, developmental needs, immigration, and psycho-social-emotional-behavioral concerns.

The position requires effective casework with clients, collaboration with agencies and professionals, management of a caseload, and timely preparation of records and reports. Employees may transport clients, conduct field visits, and may be assigned as Disaster Service Workers. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply; specified language skills in speaking, reading, and writing must be demonstrated through a required Level II fluency examination. A master's degree in Social Work may be required by statute for certain positions.

Requirements

• Either a master's degree in Social Work (preferred) or a master's degree in a listed related field or equivalent from an accredited college, plus two years of social work experience; OR a bachelor's degree in Social Work (preferred) or a bachelor's degree in a listed related field or equivalent from an accredited college, plus four years of social work experience.
• Graduate training in an approved school of social work or a related field may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis; practicum experience in the listed related fields qualifies as experience.
• A master's degree in Social Work may be required by statute for certain positions.
• Possess a valid California driver's license before appointment and be able to qualify for and maintain a County Driver's permit.
• Knowledge of social work principles, objectives, and techniques; casework treatment techniques; personality and behavior theories; family systems; human growth, development, and family relationships; and bio-psycho-socio-economic factors affecting individuals and families.
• Knowledge of community organization and resources, public social service agency rules and regulations, the effects of personal attitudes and biases on casework, interviewing and investigative methods, intervention techniques, methods for handling distressed people, and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Ability to establish productive casework relationships; cooperate with coworkers, agencies, and the public; receive consultation; interpret complex laws and regulations; prepare and present written and oral reports; and manage a caseload effectively and on time.
• Ability to use social work techniques and community resources, interview effectively, assess and apply interventions with adults, children, adolescents, and/or families, and respond to family cultural values.
• Bilingual applicants who identify a language skill must pass the required Level II examination demonstrating fluency in speaking, reading, and writing that language.

Nice To Haves

• A master's degree in Social Work is preferred.
• A bachelor's degree in Social Work is preferred.
• Fluency in a second language, including Vietnamese, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, or ASL.

Responsibilities

• Assess client needs, evaluate problems, develop treatment plans, and follow cases through to resolution.
• Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of minors and, when assigned to Adult Protective Services, dependent and elder adults.
• Determine the degree of danger and risk of future abuse or neglect and assess children’s and families’ needs for services.
• Develop interventions and case plans, provide referrals, and monitor services for children and parents.
• Determine whether removal of a child from the home is necessary and arrange appropriate placements.
• Provide case management and maintain effective casework relationships with clients.
• Prepare case records, documentation, reports, correspondence, court reports, safety plans, and other legal documents in a timely manner.
• Evaluate compliance with court orders, conduct field visits, testify in court, and respond to inquiries regarding court actions.
• Recruit applicants for foster care and adoption, evaluate the suitability of placements, and finalize adoptions.
• Consult and work with other agencies, community groups, legal and medical professionals, and fair hearing officers; refer cases and assist clients in using community resources.
• Interpret rules, regulations, policies, and programs to clients and the public.
• Transport clients within and outside the county, state, or country when necessary.
• When assigned to DAAS, assess yearly service needs related to Medical, Medicare, and SSI eligibility; conduct reevaluations and assess and authorize new applicants.
• Conduct field visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and community care facilities as needed when assigned to DAAS.
• Perform related work as required and serve as a Disaster Service Worker when assigned.

Benefits

• Eligible new hires may receive a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000, subject to discontinuation at any time.
• Paid differentials may be provided, including bilingual and assignment differentials.
• DFCS Social Worker II employees assigned to Emergency Response receive a 9% differential above the base salary plan.
• Other DFCS Social Worker II employees receive a 6% differential above the base salary plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level