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Social Worker IV

Human Services Agency

Recruitment #1117-RS3404-AC

Introduction

The San Joaquin County Human Services Agency is seeking qualified applicants who are interested in a wonderful and rewarding career and are committed to assisting children and families with protective services through the use of multiple tools and strategies designed to be more inclusive of families and community support. An eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. The eligible list will be used to fill current and future full-time, part-time and temporary positions throughout the agency in the Child Protective Services Bureaus.

Children's Protective Services Bureau:

The Social Worker IVs who are assigned to work in Child Protective Services perform highly advanced social work duties in the areas of child protection, family preservation and reunification services, and permanency planning for children who are unable to be cared for by their biological parents. Social workers join these families and the community to promote long-term safety and well being for the children within those families.

Please visit the San Joaquin County Human Services Agency website for more information about the Children's Protective Services Bureaus: www.sjchsa.org 

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

Offer of employment is contingent upon passing a DOJ Live Scan.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

 

 

 

TYPICAL DUTIES

  • Supervises a caseload for clients requiring social services.
  • Interviews clients in their homes, in the office, or via telephone to assess their needs and problems; evaluates individual and family case information; determines appropriate types and methods of treatment; initiates long- or short-term treatment plans; makes referrals to other agencies, organizations, or divisions within the department when appropriate; works with service providers to meet client needs; and advocates on behalf of clients.
  • Researches, evaluates, develops, and carries out, in cooperation with the client, financial and basic social treatment plans; assesses and evaluates progress in case plan.
  • Makes home visits to assess housing and health conditions and family relationships; refers cases of suspected abuse and/or neglect to appropriate unit.
  • Investigates referrals and provides services to clients where their physical or emotional welfare is involved; provides services for individuals incapable of protecting themselves.
  • Coordinates service plans with supervisor, eligibility workers, service providers, and other agencies.
  • Prepares case records, reports, and correspondence, including documents for the Courts, and maintains appropriate controls; utilizes computer systems to input and retrieve information related to social service cases.
  • Interprets and communicates policies, rules, and regulations of the department to clients, service providers, and the general public within the scope of responsibility; confers with supervisor regarding caseload problems.
  • Attends court proceedings and testifies in court.
  • Arranges for guardianship or conservatorship of clients.
  • Participates in specialized activities depending on client population that include provision of adoption services, investigation of abuse and/or neglect, including financial abuse; renewal of conservatorships and evaluations of care homes/facilities; processes applications for service and assistance from clients, relatives, care providers, prospective adoptive parents, or others in need of help; recruits, studies, and selects adoptive homes, board and care facilities, and other care settings; places clients into care facilities as appropriate; assists care providers and institutional staff in meeting the need of clients.
  • Performs comprehensive assessments of client's psychological, physical, social, and environmental needs; works with client and interdisciplinary team to develop a realistic service plan.
  • Mentors assigned staff.
  • Monitors program budget; prepares statistical reports and analyses; oversees contractual services.
  • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Note:  Supplemental application must be submitted with employment application.

     

    EITHER PATTERN I

    Experience:  One (1) year as a Social Worker III in San Joaquin County Service.

     

    OR PATTERN II

    Education:  Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably with a major in social work, sociology, psychology, counseling, or a closely related field.

    Experience:  Four (4) years of paid full time social casework experience with adults, children, or families in a social services or health care setting, including two years in a protective social services setting. 

     

    OR PATTERN III

    Education:  Ability to obtain a master’s degree in social work from a recognized school of social work based on a two-year program that included supervised field placement.  Verification of degree must be provided prior to appointment.  

     

    OR PATTERN IV

    Education: Ability to obtain a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.F.T.) based on a two year program with coursework sufficient to meet State standards for an M.F.T. license which included supervised field placement as part of the course.  A current M.F.T. internship number must be provided prior to appointment. 


     

    OR PATTERN V

    License:   Possession of a State of California M.F.T. license.

     

    AND FOR ALL PATTERNS

    License:   Possession of a valid California driver’s license. 

     

     

    KNOWLEDGE

    The principles and techniques of social work and of the role and function of the public social service agency; individual and group behavior of families, children, seniors, and disabled adults with emphasis on growth, development, aging, and family relationships; physical and mental illnesses and their impact on personality; principles of gerontology and the aging process; social casework objectives, principles, and methods; the socio-economic factors that promote stable family life and an understanding of the elements that affect family security; social service research methods; community organizations and the use of public or private community resources; personal computer systems; principles of report writing; principles of public relations; the laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of public social service agencies; the goals involved in legislation directed toward the protection and rehabilitation of clients; principles of planning, organization, research, and analysis; principles of training and development; and state and federal laws and regulations, with particular emphasis on compliance requirements and funding allocations.

    ABILITY

    Establish rapport with clients and their families in working toward a solution or amelioration of their problems; analyze situations and conditions that require the application of specialized social work and other skills; assess and monitor client needs; develop and implement client care plans; apply casework skills and knowledge to meet goals; understand relevant laws, rules, and regulations; work cooperatively with fellow employees and the general public; demonstrate skill in planning and analysis; provide consultation to others; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; maintain effective working relationships; effectively apply casework knowledge and skills; and utilize supervision and direction effectively to meet agency's program goals; and operate a computer.

    PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

    Mobility-Frequent operation of computers; repetitive motion; sitting for extended periods; walking; frequent driving may be required; Lifting-Ability to frequently lift 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 60 pounds; Vision-Constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity-Normal dexterity with frequent writing and repetitive motions; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing and talking on the telephone and in person; Emotional/Psychological-Constant public contact, decision making and concentration, frequently working alone and exposure to trauma, grief and death; occasional exposure to noise, emergency situations; Special Requirements-Some assignments may require occasional weekends/nights, overtime and travel.

    BENEFITS

    Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021

    Health Insurance:  San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans:  a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan.  Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available. 

    Dental Insurance:  The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans:  Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan.  There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

    Vision Insurance:  The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP).  There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

    For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Employee Benefits. 

    Life Insurance:  The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows: 

     1 but less than 3 years of continuous service:                   $1,000
     3 but less than 5 years of continuous service:                   $3,000
     5 but less than 10 years of continuous service:                 $5,000
    10 years of continuous service or more:                           $10,000
     

    Employee may purchase additional term life insurance at the group rate.

    125 Flexible Benefits Plan:  This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit). 

    Retirement Plan:  Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937.  Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information.  NOTE:  If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance.

    Deferred Compensation:  The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $18,000 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less.  Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $24,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.

    Vacation:  Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.

    Holidays Effective July 1, 2017, all civil service status employees earn 14 paid holidays each year.  Please see the appopriate MOU for details regarding holidays, accruals, use, and cashability of accrued time.

    Sick Leave:  12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation.  Sick leave incentive:  An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one- half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue.  The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.

    Bereavement Leave3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.

    Merit Salary Increase:  New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range.  After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.

    Job Sharing:  Employees may agree to job-share a position, subject to approval by a Department Head and the Director of Human Resources.

    Educational Reimbursement Program:  Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year.  Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.

    Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton:  The County contributes up to $17 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

    School Activities:  Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.

    Selection Procedures

    Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

    • Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format.  If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
       
    • Oral Exam:   The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise.   The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview.   A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list.  Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews.  If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list. 
       
    • Written & Oral Exam:  If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
       
    • Rate-out:  A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process. 

     Note:  The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

    Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.   

    Veteran’s Points:  Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service.  Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration.  Note:  A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

    Acceptable wartime service dates:

    • September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946

    • June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955

    • August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975

    • Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

    Eligible Lists:   Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification.  Eligible lists are effective for one year, but may be extended up to two additional years by the Civil Service Commission.

    Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

    • Rule of the Rank: The top three ranks will be referred for hiring interviews.  If there are less than 5 names in the top three ranks the next rank is referred.  This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
    • Rule of Five:  The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews.  This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.

    Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

    Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.

    Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

    • They are related to the Appointing Authority or

    • The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.

    Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

    Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

     

    HOW TO APPLY

    Apply Online:       

    www.sjgov.org/department/hr

    By mail or in person:  

    San Joaquin County Human Resources

    44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

    Stockton, Ca 95202                                  

     

    Office hours:               
    Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

    Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

     

    Job Line:

    For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

    When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

    San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

    Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to
    www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.




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    San Joaquin County
    Human Resources Division  Stockton, CA 95202
    E-mail | Phone: (209) 468-3370 | 8am - 5pm M-F | Powered by JobAps