City and County of San Francisco

Social Work Specialist (#2916)

$42.09-$51.16 Hourly / $7,295.00-$8,868.00 Monthly / $87,542.00-$106,418.00 Yearly


Definition

Under direction, incumbents perform a variety of specialized duties in support of human service programs including quality management, specialized case management, or handbook writing specialties.

Positions in this classification are responsible for carrying out specialized functions for an assigned human service program. Positions in this class require a comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, local and departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

Distinguishing Features

The 2916 Social Work Specialist is distinguished from the 2912 Senior Social Worker and 2918 Human Services Agency Social Worker in that the 2916 class performs more advanced technical assignments than the 2912 and 2918 classes. It is distinguished from the 2913 Program Specialist in that 2916 positions perform specialized functions for assigned human service programs while the 2913 class performs specialized duties in assigned eligibility support programs.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

When assigned to quality management:

1 .Review and monitor department compliance to federal and state regulations as related to case service delivery; verify correctness of specific payment requests and appropriateness of the services provided.

2. Conduct field investigations for state and county reviews, including in-home visits and collateral contacts with a variety of information sources including families and children in crisis, state and federal agencies, service and care providers, medical and school staff and other professionals.

3. Research program and quality assurance regulations and procedures; prepare reports on findings; identify any problems of non-compliance; recommend corrective action regarding discrepancies.

4. Perform desk reviews on client cases; interview families, service providers, and stakeholders to evaluate data for errors and for compliance with state and federal regulations; provide recommendations and make referrals for further investigation.

5. Schedule selected programs to be audited; review staff reports on analysis of the cases.

6. Review and assess the validity of the audited findings and conclusions; discuss findings with assigned worker or unit supervisor.

7. Compile and submit statistical and narrative reports; provide evidence of compliance related to federal and state policies and procedures.

8. Perform related duties as required.

When assigned to specialized case management:

1. Provide specialized case management services to eligible clients;

2. Conduct assessments to develop appropriate case plan; prepare summaries of clients’ functional limitations, barriers, and/or needs; make referrals to community services.

3. Educate and help participants navigate through program expectations, policies and procedures, and service resources.

4. Partner or collaborate with other internal agency staff, community organizations, collaterals, and service representatives to provide clients with the services they need.

5. Participate in regular case consultations to discuss client assessments and case plan.

6. Compile and submit statistical and narrative reports.

When assigned to the handbook writing:

1. Develop, revise and update program policies and procedures; provide policy interpretation in assigned program area; develop and monitor policies and procedures for new and revised federal and state regulations.

2. Provide advice, guidance and recommendations to staff and the general public on department services and program policies and procedures; provide information to department staff regarding resources available to

meet client needs; train staff in the use of documents and forms.
3. Develop and prepare manual material on new and revised department policies and procedures; develop new forms and revise current forms for use in social service programs; maintain resource files and records related to new and revised department policies and procedures.

4. Assist in recruiting, training, supervising and evaluating student interns in assigned program area.

5. Perform related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: the operations, services and activities of the assigned human services program; departmental programs, policies, procedures and terminology; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations as related to assigned program responsibility; principles and practices of training and employee development; recent developments, current literature and sources of information regarding human resource program development; interviewing and investigative skills and techniques; principles and practices of caseload management; principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting; analytical and problem solving methodology; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Ability to: interpret and apply federal, state, local, and departmental policies, procedures. laws and regulations; prepare clear and concise reports; audit records to determine accuracy of staff, accurately gather, record and evaluate data; operate a computer terminal and standard office machines; develop administrative rules, policies, and procedures for assigned human services program; analyze and interpret information and adopt effective courses of action; gain cooperation through effective communication; identify and respond to department issues and concerns; assess department training program needs and conduct appropriate training; work independently with minimal supervision; effectively communicate with and elicit information from clients who are challenged with disabilities, mental health conditions or other conditions; interpret and apply federal, state, and local equal employment, affirmative action, and civil rights laws, procedures, and regulations; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Qualifications

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:
Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:
Two (2) years of social casework or employment services experience with a public or private agency/organization.

License and Certification:

Substitution:
Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years). Thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one (1) year.

Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Notes

Established: 12/23/1996

Amended: 6/11/2015

Disaster Service Workers

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CLASS: 2916; EST: 1/1/1900; REV: 6/11/2015;