Social Worker III

CalHR•Crescent City, CA

About The Position

Under general direction, the Social Worker III carries a difficult caseload involving assessment of applicants’ or clients’ needs for basic social services, social studies, individualized treatment, and specialized casework. The position provides comprehensive, tangible casework services and performs related work. It is the advanced journey level in the Social Worker series. Incumbents are typically assigned more difficult cases and may receive supervisory consultation when developing treatment plans. Assignments may focus on specialized or geographically defined functions, including Court Investigations, Family Maintenance/Reunification, Emergency Response, Child/Adult Protection, or Foster Care. Incumbents are expected to work independently and may serve as lead workers to other social service workers. The Social Worker III handles more difficult assignments than a Social Worker II, requiring greater skill and depth of knowledge in assessing situations and developing service plans. The role generally involves substantial independence in administering services and using agency or community resources. Incumbents receive general direction from a Social Worker Supervisor or another higher-level manager or deputy director, and may lead lower-classification employees in the same program area. The recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, and extra-help positions as vacancies occur. A valid driver’s license may be required at appointment; employees may also be required to drive their own vehicle and provide proof of insurance and DMV clearance. As a condition of employment, the County of Del Norte requires proof of authorization to work in the United States.

Requirements

Pattern 1: One year of full-time journey-level social work case management experience in the Social Worker II classification in an Interagency Merit System (IMS) county; OR
Pattern 2: Two years of full-time social work case management experience in a public or private agency, and 30 semester units or 45 quarter units from 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; OR
Pattern 3: Bachelor’s degree and successful completion of 24 semester units or 36 quarter units of a master’s degree program in Social Work or an eligible Counseling program emphasizing Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Gerontology, or Clinical Psychology, and 12 months of social work case management experience.
Qualifying case management experience includes direct casework management such as assessment and evaluation; abuse and neglect investigations; court-report preparation; responsibility for a long-term caseload; monitoring compliance through home calls and other personal contact; collaboration with agencies and linking clients to resources and programs; developing and modifying case plans; and authority to impose sanctions or take actions affecting services.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing, in person, and over the telephone; analyze data; interpret and apply directions, procedures, and regulations; and develop appropriate responses.
Ability to perform duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately in emergencies and other stressful situations.
Ability to maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and county regulations.
Ability to understand and apply agency programs, policies, and procedures; obtain facts; and recognize their relevance and significance.
Ability to organize and maintain work details and establish effective working relationships with agency staff, clients, and outside organizations.
Ability to analyze situations and choose effective courses of action; apply psychology and family-relationship principles to engage individuals and families; and recognize abuse indicators and assess risks and potential dangers.
Ability to interpret and explain public social service programs, policies, rules, and regulations; develop interviewing, case-recording, and interpretation skills; and work effectively in community settings using appropriate resources.
Ability to operate a personal computer, office equipment, and related software.
Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with clients, including difficult, hostile, or distressed clients; respect cultural differences; and work with complex cases, including clients with dual diagnoses, potentially dangerous clients, or legally complex cases.
Ability to analyze information from multiple sources and interpret and apply complex directions, rules, policies, procedures, and regulations.
Applicants using education to meet minimum qualifications must attach transcripts to the application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide an evaluation showing equivalent units.
Applicants must possess integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively, and health consistent with performing assigned duties. A medical examination may be required.
A background investigation may be required.
Proof of ability to work in the United States is required as a condition of employment.
A valid driver’s license may be required at appointment; employees may be required to use their own vehicle, provide proof of insurance, and obtain DMV clearance.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of difficult social services cases requiring a high degree of technical competence.
Respond to suspected abuse reports, obtain information from reporters, investigate and assess situations, protect vulnerable adults and children, and recommend alternate placement.
Provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys when appropriate; work on-call and testify in court if required.
Conduct case studies and evaluate individual and family information to assess safety and determine appropriate treatment methods.
Develop and carry out social treatment plans, ensuring services are respectful, culturally sensitive, and appropriate.
Counsel and provide guidance and support to individuals and families with complex or specialized needs, including crisis, medical, legal, and Adult Protective Services needs.
Refer clients to other staff and community resources, and help applicants and recipients use available resources.
Diagnose client problems and independently follow through on social treatment plans.
Explain policies, rules, regulations, and public social service programs to clients, applicants, and others.
Make home visits related to casework assignments.
Prepare court reports, case plans, case narratives, and safety plans in automated computer systems; enter and retrieve case data and narratives; and maintain case records.
Provide self-help information, education, and services, and work with clients and caregivers to develop caregiving and independent-living skills.
Obtain and evaluate police, medical, and psychological reports.
Maintain client confidentiality and perform duties in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics.
Participate in in-service training and staff development activities.
Receive casework consultation from professionally trained staff members.
Work with community organizations and make referrals to outside resources.
May act as lead worker to a small group of social service workers or service employees.
Perform other related duties as assigned.