Assistant Social Worker/Social Worker/Senior Social Worker

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - BEHAVIORAL

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH

CHILD WELFARE SERVICES

SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES LISTED UNDER THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

STATEMENT MAY ALSO BE USED TO SCREEN APPLICATIONS

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING

POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: **CONTINUOUS**

SALARY INFORMATION

Assistant Social Worker: $3,773 - $4,816 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY*/$21.76 - $27.78 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Social Worker: $4,369 - $5,576 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $25.20 - $32.16 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Senior Social Worker: $4,936 - $6,299 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $28.47 - $36.34 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous.

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Health and Human Services Agency: The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with communities to protect and improve the health and well-being of Shasta County residents. Established in 2006, the HHSA is organized into four branches: Children’s Services, Adult Services, Public Health and Economic Mobility, with a centralized administration. The HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill and those without resources look to the HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. This transformation improves efficiency, avoids unnecessary duplication of effort, encourages collaboration among programs and organizes the HHSA’s services to be more responsive to the needs of the public.

Children’s Services encompass the services that help ensure children are protected and safe. This branch investigates alleged abuse and neglect of children, and it licenses foster and adoptive homes for children who are experiencing traumatic events in their lives. The branch also encompasses children’s mental health and youth alcohol and drug services. This branch also works with juvenile justice and education to coordinate services for clients.

The department encourages all applicants to view the following link: https://youtu.be/bLN6efASInQ

ABOUT THE POSITION

Assistant Social Worker: Under direction, to carry a caseload involving the determination of need for basic social service functions for applicants or clients; to perform elementary social studies to identify a need for more intensive casework services; to provide limited casework services of a general tangible nature; and to do related work as required.

Social Worker: Under direction, to carry a service caseload and to provide social services; to conduct social studies and develop service plans which may include the need for specialized social services; to provide information about available services and to arrange for referral of clients to appropriate departmental or community human services resources; and to do other work as required.

Senior Social Worker: Under direction, to carry a service caseload and to provide social services; to conduct social studies and develop service plans which include the need for specialized social services; to provide information about available services and to arrange for referral of clients to appropriate departmental or community human services resources; or to lead internal reviews of all aspects of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program to ensure both internal integrity and to investigate potential fraud; perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Assistant Social Worker: Assistant Social Worker is the trainee class in the professional Social Worker series. A position in this class is distinguished from that of the next higher class of Social Worker in that the incumbent is given constant and detailed supervision in learning such items as departmental organization, social service programs, basic case study methods and casework services. As experience is gained, employees are assigned selected caseloads where consequence of error is minimal; case recommendations and casework methodology, however, continue to receive close review. In contrast, the Social Worker carries a full caseload, works with greater independence of action, and normally provides case services of average to complex difficulty.

Social Worker: This is the full journey level in the professional Social Worker series. Incumbents spend a substantial part of their time on the more difficult, sensitive, and specialized services where major case decisions are made independently and where consequence of error may be significant. Advanced casework skills, a high degree of program knowledge, judgment and creativity are required. Typical assignments include adoptions, child foster home placement, child protective services screening and intake, juvenile court case consultation and liaison, original licensing for child foster care homes, and initial assessment of adult protective services. This class is distinguished from the Senior Social Worker class in that the latter is expected to manage a difficult caseload at the highest level of skill.

Senior Social Worker: Senior Social Worker is the highest level professionally trained worker in the series performing the most responsible and difficult casework dealing with highly complex family and individual problems in Child Protective Services, Juvenile Court, Adoptions, Placement, or Adult Services. This class is distinguished from the Social Worker class by its specialization in child welfare services requiring casework management at the highest level of skill, or by its advanced knowledge of the technical aspects of a program combined with the highest level of skill and experience in dealing with the complex problems within the senior and disabled adult population.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Ideal Candidate will work from a place of honesty, and integrity, and be internally motivated to provide a high level of professional service. They will have a master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university, or a master's degree from a two (2) year counseling program from an accredited college or university OR a Social Work degree, a BA/BS in Psychology or some Social Science major AND have at least two years providing services in a Medi-Cal, mental health, serving agency. The candidate assigned to child welfare services will not need the Medi-Cal mental health experience. Services will have been provided in the community or a home-based setting, and be focused on linking clients to supportive services, providing skill-based services to increase life functioning, and monitoring progress towards client focused goals. Candidates will see themselves as skilled professionals, able to contribute to a multidisciplinary team setting. Even if a candidate does not have all these qualities, if they have minimum qualifications for the positions and operate with integrity, and are ambitious to learn, please apply.

The candidate will work as a team member in Child Welfare Services or Children’s Mental Health to achieve positive outcomes for children, youth, young adults, and families in the areas of safety, permanency, and well-being. 

Assistant Social Worker: The ideal candidate for Assistant Social Worker desires an entry level position in Child Welfare Services or Children’s Mental Health supporting children and families. The ASW will support social workers or clinicians and the team with the needs of complex children, youth, and families. The ASW will provide direct interaction and support for children with disrupted placements, with transportation needs, case management, and emotional support during times of strength and times of crisis. The ASW will possess a 4-year college degree that provides an academic background in psychology, social work, or closely related field.  The candidate is seeking an opportunity to join a team that provides a network for safety, permanency and well-being for children and youth in the foster care system.  

Social Worker/Senior Social Worker: The ideal candidate in these classifications will have a case load of children, youth and families receiving mental health treatment or child welfare interventions and services. The ideal candidate will also possess a master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university, OR a master's degree from a two (2) year counseling program from an accredited college or university OR a 4 year degree in social work, psychology or closely related field of study AND has had a minimum of 2 years’ experience doing case management or case work services in a social service or educational/health system in which there was direct work, case management and/or interventions with children and families.  The ideal candidate desires to work with children and families and support them within a scope of work that values culture, family, community; and the core practices that embrace building strong networks for families to change and grow.

Assistant Social Worker: Studies and applies the principles and techniques of social work to a caseload which includes basic types of services problems; as a learner-trainee interviews clients to ascertain the nature of their problems and develop elementary services plans; carries out the less difficult services plans under close supervision where the end result normally is a tangible service, such as employment, referral to a community center or an environmental change; makes referrals to other staff members when problems are beyond level of competence; interprets services rules, regulations and policy to clients and the general public when within the scope of responsibility; maintains necessary casework records; attends training courses designed to further understanding of the social work processes and to increase technical competence.

Social Worker: Carries a caseload of the more difficult types of social service cases involving individualized treatment and specialized advanced application of casework methods and skills; diagnoses client problems and follows through with the more difficult treatment plans with a high degree of independence; interviews clients in office or home to assess needs for service; explains the optional and mandatory nature of social services programs; interprets State, County and departmental rules, regulations and policies to individuals and groups; responds to requests for information and makes referrals to appropriate workers or departments; gathers, maintains and disseminates current information on community resources; prepares reports, case records and correspondence; as an additional duty, incumbents may function in a lead capacity and assist with casework consultation and training for other social workers; assists in developing and implementing unit policies and procedures; acts in the absence of the supervisor or as designated in assigning cases and reviewing and approving case decisions; attends meetings and does related work as needed.

Senior Social Worker: Carries a caseload of the most difficult types of social service cases involving individualized treatment and specialized advanced application of casework methods and skills; diagnoses client problems and follows through with difficult treatment plans with the highest degree of independence; interviews clients in office or home to assess needs for service; explains the optional and mandatory nature of social services programs; interprets State, County and departmental rules, regulations and policies to individuals and groups; responds to requests for information and makes referrals to appropriate workers or departments; gathers, maintains and disseminates current information on community resources; prepares reports, case records and correspondence; as an additional duty, incumbents may function in a lead capacity and assist with casework consultation and training for other social workers; assists in developing and implementing unit policies and procedures; acts in the absence of the supervisor or as designated in assigning cases and reviewing and approving case decisions; attends meetings and does related work as needed.

In Child Welfare: takes referrals regarding child abuse or serious neglect, gathers specific information, determines the urgency and severity of risk and determines appropriate actions to be taken, including crisis intervention with families to reduce the risk to the child; handles emergency responses; establishes cooperative working relationship with families and assists in developing a treatment resource plan with the parents and community resources as needed; provides corrective therapy individually and in groups; observes child's developmental progress and determines best methods of dealing with behavioral problems; assists family members in resolving marital, financial, or other particular problems related to abuse; may provide specialized case services in child sexual abuse or children's group work; refers clients to other agencies and community resources; may advise parents on problems of child custody; arranges for foster home placement of children; may provide court testimony in child abuse or neglect cases; provides leadership in departmental conferences and training programs; may present information on child protective services to community groups; prepares correspondence, case records and written reports as required; prepares and presents juvenile court petitions within specified time limitations for the purpose of removing child from natural parents; provides case management for family reunification or maintenance cases under the jurisdiction of Juvenile Dependency Court.

In Resource Family Approval: recruits, evaluates, and assesses foster care home applicants; recommends placement of children in foster homes; provides training for foster parents to ensure conformance to licensing requirements.

In Adoptions: interviews applicants wishing to adopt children and determines their suitability; studies the background, health and development of children which may be adopted, interviews natural parents and determines their attitudes, reasons and consent to placing a child for adoption; verifies background information on adoptive and natural parents and insures that legal matters have been satisfactorily resolved, in cases of child neglect, abuse or abandonment may initiate court action to terminate parental rights of natural parents; prepares and files reports on case background, providing recommendations to the courts; coordinates the adoptions process with other social workers, interested agencies and departments as necessary; counsels natural and adoptive parents prior to and following adoption and supervises adoptive placements; provides leadership in departmental conferences and training programs; prepares reports and correspondence as necessary.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Assistant Social Worker:

Knowledge of: Basic principles of individual and group behavior; the general nature of social problems calling for the general principles of public assistance policies and programs; basic public welfare programs of the Federal, State, and local levels; principles of Interviewing and methodology; socio-economic conditions and trends.

Ability to: Establish rapport with clients and their families in working toward a solution of their problem; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action; speak and write effectively; learn and understand the agency programs and automated systems.

These employment standards are typically attained through possession of a bachelor's degree, including thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other behavioral sciences.

Social Worker:

Knowledge of: Social casework objectives, principles, methods and caseload organization and management; the functions and services provided by a public social service agency including basic knowledge of community resources; principles of human growth and development; the laws, policies and administrative procedures of County social service programs; community organization and the social problems calling for the use of public and private community resources; principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social casework.

Ability to: Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with clients and their families, other employees, representatives of other public agencies and community organizations and groups; effectively use community and agency resources; utilize supervision and direction effectively to meet program goals of the department; communicate effectively in written and oral form; manage a difficult caseload; understand and explain pertinent regulations and policies; maintain current, accurate case records and use automated systems as necessary.

These employment standards are typically attained with two (2) years of experience performing professional social casework services, OR possession of a master's degree in social work or a master's degree from a two-year counseling program, OR be a registered MFCC intern with California State Board of Behavioral Science; OR possession of a bachelor's degree, including thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology or other behavioral sciences; AND two (2) years of experience as an Assistant Social Worker in Shasta County; OR possession of a bachelor's degree, including thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology or other behavioral sciences; AND two (2) years of experience performing social casework services in child or adult protective services comparable to an Assistant Social Worker in Shasta County.

Senior Social Worker:

Knowledge of: Social casework objectives, principles and methods with special emphasis on working with sensitive and complex child protective and adoption or placement cases; the functions and services provided by a public social service agency; principles of human growth and development; the laws, policies and administrative procedures of County social service programs; community organization and the social problems calling for the use of public and private community resources; principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social casework; the psychosocial, medical and economic interrelationships that result in individual and social dysfunctioning; regulations and department policies related to child protection services and adoption, placement services or juvenile court.

Ability to: Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with clients and their families, other employees, representatives of other public agencies and community organizations and groups; the psychosocial, medical and economic interrelationships that result in individual and social dysfunctioning; regulations and department policies related to child protection services and adoption, placement services or juvenile court; utilize supervision and direction effectively to meet program goals of the department; prepare accurate written reports; understand and explain pertinent regulations and policies; maintain current, accurate case records; effectively seek out and use community and agency resources related to service needs; facilitate maximum client participation in treatment and assistance plans; perform as a lead worker over a small group of social service workers; independently perform the most complex, sensitive and specialized casework services in child protective services and adoptions or placement; provide leadership and consultation to other social workers in casework concepts and methodology; deal with and confront hostile and abusive persons who are resistive to change and services; make effective court presentations in contested juvenile hearings; maintain sensitivity and resilience under continuing pressure and emotional stress.

For positions in Child Welfare Services these standards are typically attained with possession of a bachelor's degree, including thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology or other behavioral sciences; AND five (5) years of full-time social casework experience, including three (3) years in the classification of Social Worker for Shasta County and three (3) years in child welfare services either as a Social Worker or an Assistant Social Worker; OR possession of a bachelor's degree, including thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology or other behavioral sciences; AND five (5) years full-time experience performing professional level social casework, three of which must have been in child welfare services, OR possession of a master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university, or a master's degree from a two (2) year counseling program from an accredited college or university.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. Do you have a bachelor's degree that includes thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other behavioral sciences?
2.  Yes/NoIf yes, please list your degree and/or your applicable courses. If no, please no type "n/a".

3. If no to question #1, will you graduate with a bachelor’s degree that includes thirty (30) semester college units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other behavioral sciences within 3 months? Yes/No/NA

4. If yes, list your degree and anticipated graduation date?

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, extreme cold, and extreme heat. Exposure to unsanitary conditions, e.g., spoiled foods, feces, urine, and disease. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered. 
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California – Professional. 

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until current vacancies have been filled. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Veterans' Credit: Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran MUST provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) WITH THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515