Social Worker IV (Public Guardian) - Hilo, Hawaii
About The Position
This position provides guardianship and case management services for incapacitated adults under the supervision of the Office of the Public Guardian. Responsibilities include conducting interviews and assessments; monitoring client well-being and progress; making decisions regarding the ward’s health, residence, safety, and welfare; developing and monitoring treatment plans; coordinating services with case managers, healthcare providers, and community agencies; and responding to emergency situations. The position serves as an on-duty guardian, provides coverage for absent staff, attends and testifies at court hearings, prepares guardianship reports and legal documentation, and protects wards from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Additional duties include conducting intake assessments for new guardianship cases, identifying and securing necessary resources and services, providing information and consultation regarding guardianship matters, supervising interns and volunteers, conducting community education and training, and maintaining comprehensive case records. The position requires regular travel to residences, healthcare facilities, courts, and other community locations, including occasional overnight travel and inter-island assignments as needed to serve wards and fulfill program responsibilities.
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.
- Two and one-half (2-1/2) years 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.
- 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
- Conducting interviews and assessments
- Monitoring client well-being and progress
- Making decisions regarding the ward’s health, residence, safety, and welfare
- Developing and monitoring treatment plans
- Coordinating services with case managers, healthcare providers, and community agencies
- Responding to emergency situations
- Serving as an on-duty guardian
- Providing coverage for absent staff
- Attending and testifying at court hearings
- Preparing guardianship reports and legal documentation
- Protecting wards from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation
- Conducting intake assessments for new guardianship cases
- Identifying and securing necessary resources and services
- Providing information and consultation regarding guardianship matters
- Supervising interns and volunteers
- Conducting community education and training
- Maintaining comprehensive case records
- Regular travel to residences, healthcare facilities, courts, and other community locations
- Occasional overnight travel and inter-island assignments
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
