Under supervision, assists in the provision and coordination of support counseling, employment, social or rehabilitation services for a variety of disadvantaged clients, performs ongoing casework management of selected cases; maintains records related to client services; and performs related duties as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Factors used in assigning positions to classes in the social services classes include: complexity, sensitivity and difficulty of casework problems; duration and level of casework intervention and therapy; authority for decision-making; likelihood and consequence of error; the emergency or crisis nature of services; intensity and duration of involvement in legal processes; degree of supervision received; and lead/consultative responsibilities for other professional staff. Assignment of positions to the highest level classes in the series is dependent on the duration, frequency, scope, and amount of time involved in these more complex, difficult duties. Incidental, infrequent, and backup duties do not support assignment to the highest level classes. Attachment A describes the types of assignments associated with each level of class within the social services class series.
The Social Worker II is a journey level class in the social worker class series. Entrance into this professional class requires prior social worker experience and theoretical or academic background. Some incumbents may work under the supervision and assist higher level social workers in the performance of casework duties in providing support counseling, overseeing the provision of employment, social, or rehabilitation services, identifying client needs, using community resources, assisting clients with immediate problems, and in client advocacy. Assignments require the application of diagnostic and treatment skills in the performance of a wide range of casework. Final disposition of cases is subject to review and approval by higher level supervisory and professional staff.
The work is characterized by the performance of professional casework in accordance with well established standards and criteria where the urgency of problems and consequences of errors are usually limited. Progression to the Social Worker III class is contingent on the acquisition of further education and experience and assignment to work involving substantial and permanent responsibility for casework duties involving abused and neglected children and adults in the initial phases of the less acute and urgent emergency response, foster care home-finding, family maintenance, family reunification, family preservation, and employment counseling programs.
The Social Worker II class is distinguished from the Social Worker I class in that the latter class performs primarily casework of limited scope, difficulty, and complexity. The Social Worker II also is expected to exercise more independence of action, to perform the full range of duties, and to participate fully in multi-disciplinary service provision team consultations. The Social Worker II assists other staff in the adult and children’s protective services programs and have primary responsibility for assignments in representative pay program, employment services, ongoing in-home-supportive-services, screening and self-identified-employment-plan assignments.
The Social Worker II class is further distinguished from the Employment Resources Specialist class in that the latter class is assigned to duties which primarily involve the provision of public assistance benefits, conducting preliminary job readiness appraisals, and performing ongoing case management of integrated caseloads limited to public assistance and basic employment services.
Examples of Duties
In accordance with established procedures and format, interviews clients to gather information concerning employment potential, social history, medical condition, and client’s current need for social services; evaluates problems presented; evaluates client and family situations to determine the extent of employment and social service needs of clients.
Assesses needs, determines suitability of specified services and potential need for referral to other service providers, monitors delivery of basic employment and social services, and evaluates client capacity for independent living.
Assists other staff and performs work subject to specific approval in the adult and children’s protective services programs in the emergency response, permanent placement, home-finding, family maintenance/reunification, court, and family preservation assignments.
Learns to prepare and modify case plans for employment services, in-home supportive service, and adult services as conditions require; conducts formal assessments of client employment readiness utilizing a variety of vocational evaluation tools.
Screens clients to triage cases to determine urgency of need; refers applicants to a variety of agency services; provides information and assistance to applicants and clients; interprets rules and regulations to applicants, clients, relatives and the general public.
Performs basic counseling activities for adults and their families; counsels clients and makes referrals as appropriate to other services, workers and departments.
Participates as a full contributor in individual and group support counseling to enhance level of social functioning and independent living utilizing a variety of support counseling modalities and social rehabilitation techniques.
Provides self-help information, education and services; coaches and guides clients into consideration of viable alternatives.
Implements established treatment and service plans; observes and records client’s behavior to assure effectiveness of plan.
Educates clients in methods to acquire independent living skills in such areas as public transportation, shopping, and appointment making.
Makes arrangements for the provision of services to clients by other providers and transportation of clients to other service providers.
On behalf of client, acts as liaison and advocate between relatives, guardians, employers, physicians, and other service providers.
Conducts on-site visits and evaluation of suitability of services and facilities provided by other organizations under agreement with the agency.
Assists in matching children with prospective foster and adoptive parents; assists in determining suitability of parents; investigates home environment of prospective parents.
Assists in developing community resources when necessary to carry out case plans, particularly in relation to service provision for specified segments of the community.
Provides program information to individuals and community groups to foster understanding of social aspects of environmental, emotional and physical problems and methods to alleviate these problems.
Prepares and maintains casework records, court and other evaluative reports, related files and correspondence; manages a full caseload within specified time and procedural constraints.
Assists in the preparation and revision of reports and correspondence and maintains a variety of documentation, such as charting observed behaviors, treatment plan objectives, progress reports, discharge summaries, incident reports, and other data.
Attends and participates in a variety of internal and external meetings such as daily service team discussions, inter-disciplinary case conferences, inter-agency meetings, etc.
Coordinates with caseworkers, probation officers, community and support services, and appropriate referrals for patients upon discharge; works with other agencies to obtain information, coordinate services, determine appropriate venue for service, provide training about provided services, and related matters.
Assists clients with paperwork and enrollment procedures for various services, benefits, treatment and social support programs.
Applies appropriate methods and techniques in dealing with difficult clients; assists in maintaining safety, security and sanitation of facilities.
May operate vehicles to transport clients or to perform field duties of monitoring service provision, working with staff or clients at other sites, and/or to coordinate with other agencies.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices and techniques of employment preparation social work.
Socio-economic and psychological social behavior affecting individual behavior, social functioning and behavioral abnormalities.
Dynamics of human behavior including child development, parenting, family dynamics, and aging.
Methods and techniques utilized in a variety of interviewing, assessment, and various counseling modalities. Methods of case management and record-keeping Functions, responsibilities, services and activities of public health and welfare agencies.
Other private and non-profit community organizations, resources, and social problems.
Availability of and procedures for obtaining a wide variety of community and governmental services and resources.
Requirements of public assistance, employment, and social programs.
Techniques of outreach in a targeted community or population.
Factors affecting social service clients including barriers to employment, home and financial management, family planning, medical needs assessment, substance abuse, and social functioning.
Techniques for dealing with individuals from a variety of socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds including those with physical disabilities and emotional problems.
Use of automated equipment and standard office support applications software related to the work.
Ability to:
Interview a variety of people with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, temperaments, and mental capabilities.
Recognize factors causing reaction or changes in client’s condition or behavior.
Encourage clients to progress toward independent living and social functioning.
Recognize and make referrals to other providers of employment and social services. Understand, interpret, and apply complex social services technical materials and applicable laws, codes and regulations.
Analyze client situations and needs in assigned areas of responsibility. Develop, prepare, and implement employment and case work plans.
Conduct formal employment assessments.
Prepare appropriate case files, legal and casework documentation including the recording relevant information.
Interpret and apply complex laws, rules, regulations and procedures.
Prepare complex and detailed reports and records and maintain confidentiality of information. Communicate orally and in written format and interact in situations requiring instructional, persuasive, consultative, counseling and motivational skills.
Provide training, guidance and consultation to support staff.
Education and Experience
Either I
One year of experience equivalent to the Social Worker I in Solano County.
OR II
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year accredited college or university with coursework that has preferably included thirty (30) semester units in social welfare, sociology, psychology, counseling, gerontology, vocational guidance or other related behavioral science.
AND
One year of experience performing professional level social work with a public social services agency or private social services provider. (Preferably including substantial experience with abused/neglected children and/or adults)
OR III
Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) or a two year graduate level counseling degree emphasizing marriage, family and child counseling, gerontology, or clinical psychology. (Both the MSW and two year counseling degree must included supervised field work or an internship)
LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQ
Driver’s License: Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment. Loss of the Class C Driver’s License is a cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this driver’s license requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
Assignment Requirements: Some positions in these classes may require work in an out-station location or in a setting with other professionals integrated as a team. Some positions may require on-call and weekend work to assist in providing emergency response services.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; sufficient manual dexterity to perform repetitive motion in various duties such as: keyboarding, writing, filing, reaching and grasping above shoulder level; normal eye-hand coordination; body strength sufficient to lift and carry case files; corrected vision to normal range to read fine print and computer screen; corrected hearing to speak and hear sufficiently to communicate clearly over the telephone and in person; ability to use office equipment including telephones, calculators, copiers, facsimile, computers, and other related peripheral equipment such as printers and scanners. Some assignments may require strength to lift and move clients with appropriate assistance and color vision to distinguish medications and laboratory results.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a variety of office, clinic and field environments and includes continuous contact with staff and the public; may be required to enter private homes to make family home visits for purpose of investigation; work involves stressful situations and includes dealing with erratic and sometimes threatening behavior; may travel to community areas, including out of county locations, that are potentially dangerous where there is exposure to potential bodily injury, infections which may cause chronic disease or death; offensive odors; high noise levels; insect bites; dust and pollens.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Travel: Independent travel may be required to various work sites and client residences. Background Investigation: Candidates for some positions in this class will be required to pass a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and/or policy. Compliance Agreements: Selectees for employment must as a condition of employment sign a statement agreeing to comply with mandatory child and elder abuse reporting, drug free workforce, and confidentiality.
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