City and County of San Francisco

Under general supervision, Protective Service Workers perform professional investigation, casework, and casework services in a child or adult protective services program or in other social service programs. Protective Service Workers may make investigations to determine the eligibility of applicants for psychiatric care and services. Protective Services Workers provide consultative services to individuals, government and community agencies and groups regarding protective, social and psychiatric services; and performs related duties as required.

Class 2940 Protective Services Worker is distinguished from Class 2918 Human Services Agency Social Worker in that the nature of the work is more specialized, focusing on the needs of children or adults in need of protective or psychiatric services. Class 2940 Protective Services Worker is distinguished from Class 2944 Protective Services Supervisor, the first line supervisor in the Protective Services Series, in that positions in Class 2940 Protective Services Worker do not supervise other professional staff.

Some positions may be required to supervise subordinate clerical or technical staff; however, supervisory responsibilities are ancillary to the main focus of the position.

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.

1. Interviews and counsels an assigned caseload of clients, parents, children, adolescents, adult victims, caregivers and perpetrators. Provides case consultation and case management.

2. Determines degree of danger and risk of future abuse and neglect and evaluates the client’s, child’s, elder’s or dependent adult’s and family’s need for services.

3. Develops case plans, court reports and other relevant case documents and provides recommendations to the court.

4. Maintains case information on applicable computerized case management system.

5. Works as a team member with law enforcement, medical professionals, public guardian and legal professionals.

6. Arranges in-home and other services to remedy problems without removal of protected individual from the home. Conducts permanency planning and placement, as appropriate.

7. Facilitates family maintenance and reunification.

8. Makes presentations before groups.

9. Arranges legal services for clients.

When assigned to Family and Children’s Services:

1. Investigates child abuse and neglect allegations and determines whether removal of the child from the home is necessary.

2. Recruits applicants for foster care and adoption. Evaluates adoptive and foster care applicants and finalizes adoptions.

3. Places and supervises children in foster homes and residential treatment centers.

When Assigned to Adult Protective Services:

1. Investigates adult abuse allegations and provides services to adults in danger of abuse or exploitation and arranges adult placements when necessary.

2. Places elders and dependent adults in appropriate level of supervised care.

When Assigned to Public Conservator:

1. Investigates referrals from psychiatric emergency services and jail psychological services by interviewing clients, medical staff and family. Provides case consultation and case management.

2. Arranges placement upon release from locked facilities in appropriate level of supervised care.

3. Carries a caseload of clients who require continuing psychiatric and psychological services.

When assigned to Long-Term Care Operations:

1. Conducts clinical assessments for individuals with behavioral health issues, such as dementia and depression.

2. Documents clinical work thoroughly and accurately in a timely manner.

3. Identifies and manages crisis or urgent situations.

4. Refers clients to mental health and other community services as appropriate.

5. Provides short term behavioral health services.

6. Participates in multi-disciplinary and similar meetings.

7. Conducts trainings and presentations for social service and community agencies and other concerned parties, regarding program information, referrals to the program and/or related topics.

Knowledge of: Social work methods and practices; theories of human behavior and group dynamics; interviewing, investigative and intervention techniques; child development, the aging process, parenting skills, adolescence, substance abuse, familial violence; causes and treatment of child abuse, family dynamics, death and dying; crisis intervention; and mental health/illness; needs and problems of children, families and adults from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; community resources and community organizations; policies and procedures relating to the provision of social services; investigative techniques, reporting requirements, and court procedures related to social services; the laws, rules and regulations governing the operation of public social services agencies; therapeutic modalities and pharmacology.

Ability and Skill to: Assess, diagnose and apply intervention techniques to child, family and adult related problems; establish workload priorities and effective caseload management; exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, judgment and cultural competency in dealing with people in a variety of situations; manage stress and criticism while maintaining professional demeanor; communicate effectively with individuals, groups and the courts; write accurate court reports and case summaries; operate computers using specialized software to record and maintain case information.

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 Master’s Degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work education (CSWE): OR, a Master’s Degree from a two-year (2) counseling program from an accredited college or university. (Qualifying Master’s Degrees in counseling include Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling and Counseling Psychology that included a supervised field placement as part of the course curriculum).

Experience: 

DAAS: Adult Protective Services, Public Conservator’s Specialty and Long-Term Care Operations: 

Satisfactory completion of two semesters of graduate field placement which involved the provision of direct  services to elders and/or dependent adults and/or adults with physical, cognitive or mental health disabilities in one of the following or closely related areas: Adult Protective Services, intensive case management such as MSSP/Linkages, medical social work in a hospital or clinic, mental health program/agency, home health agency or alcohol and drug counseling and treatment program OR six (6) months post baccalaureate professional work experience which involved the provision of direct services to elders, dependents, or adults in one of the areas previously described.


Family and Children’s Services Specialty:

Satisfactory completion of two semesters of graduate field placement, which involved the provision of direct services to families or children in one of the following or closely related areas: child welfare, family counseling, juvenile probation, pediatric social work, adolescent alcohol and drug counseling or school social work; OR six (6) months post baccalaureate professional work experience which involved the provision of direct services to families or children in one of the areas previously described.

License and Certifications Required for Public Conservator’s Specialty and Long Term Care Operations:

Possession of a valid Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences(BBS) OR
Current proof of registration as an Associate Social Worker (ASW) intern issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences(BBS); OR
Possession of a valid Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences(BBS); OR
Current proof of registration as a valid Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (MFTI) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences(BBS); OR
Possession of a valid Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences(BBS); OR
Current proof of registration as a Professional Clinical Counselor Intern (PCCI) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).

All Positions Require:

Possession of a valid California class C driver’s license and clear Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

ORIGINATION DATE: 01/12/1961 (2940/2942)

AMENDED DATE: 03/15/93 (2940/2942); Amended & Retitled10/13/98; 03/01/16
2942 Abolished 10/13/98

REASON FOR AMENDMENT: To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the most recent job analysis conducted for this job code.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN SFMTA SFCCD SFUSD

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.