Social Services Worker III-CWS Lead

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health & Human Services Agency. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health & Human Services Agency located in Visalia.

Typical Duties

Manage a caseload within the Child Welfare Services spectrum, including emergency response, family maintenance, family reunification, permanency planning and adoptions; assign cases to other Social Services Workers III - CWS and consult with staff on various aspects of their cases; review and approve case treatment plans and monitor case plans for timeliness; assist in the completion of performance evaluations; ensure new employees receive mentoring and training; perform case studies for the purpose of assessing, diagnosing and making recommendations on individual and family problems, termination of parental rights and adoptive placements; investigate and make recommendations concerning family situations involving neglect or child abuse; investigate allegations of abuse in foster care. Testify in court on assigned cases as needed; represent CWS in all mandated court appearances including detention, pre-adjudication, adjudication, disposition, 90 day review, 6, 12 and 18 month reviews, permanency planning hearings, as well as any other required court appearances; evaluate court recommendations for appropriate referrals for services, both internally and externally; refer and transport clients to specialized services for specific types of counseling or therapy; interpret and explain rules, regulations, and policies to clients and applicants; prepare and maintain case records, case narratives, court reports and medical records; research case files for medical, mental health and substance abuse history of parents and child and prepare written medical reports; overtime hours may be required to provide services in compliance with state and federal laws; work shifts outside of normal business hours including stand-by/on-call, after hours rotations, nights, weekends and holidays as required to provide services in compliance with state and federal laws; participate in staff development programs to increase technical competence; develop, implement and monitor complex treatment plans; provide follow-up supervision of cases/placements, including face-to-face contacts, visitation and monitoring the progress of attachment and bonding. Maintain confidentiality of all information and materials handled; plan, develop and make presentations; input data into a statewide, computerized client tracking and management system; prepare memos, letters and reports; may recruit county foster homes and adoptive applicants by using various techniques such as media outreach, community outreach events, and by speaking at conferences and meetings; may review, edit and distribute the court related documents as prepared by the social work staff; may provide training on techniques for dealing with behavioral issues of children to biological, foster or adoptive parents.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :
Bachelor’s degree in social work or other behavioral science.

Experience :
One year of advanced case management experience equivalent to that of a Social Services Worker III - CWS.

Knowledge of:

Dynamics of child abuse and neglect; interviewing and counseling methods and techniques; court room procedures and etiquette; community resources available to assist clients; terminology and vocabulary relevant to social work and social service programs; caseload management methods and techniques; components of treatment plans and their development and implementation; techniques for diagnosing family situations and problems sufficient to develop, implement, and monitor treatment plans; basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Skill/Ability to:

Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; manage a caseload; supervise, train, evaluate and monitor the work of Social Services Workers III - CWS; investigate and make recommendations concerning family situations involving neglect or child abuse; verbally communicate sufficiently to explain technical information to people of various socio-economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds; read, interpret and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to social service programs; write clear, concise, grammatically correct case narratives, court reports, records and letters; follow verbal and written instructions; retain and recall information; adjust to changes in workload and coordinate work with others; establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with others; input and retrieve data into and from statewide, computerized client tracking and management system; use patience, tact and courtesy in dealing with people under various circumstances and under emotional stress; define problems, collect and evaluate information, organize and analyze material, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; use and develop community resources to best serve clients needs; maintain confidentiality of all information and materials; prepare, organize and give oral presentations; act effectively in emotional and stressful situations in order to respond to emergencies and adopt an appropriate course of action; type/keyboard accurately at a speed of 35 words per minute.

License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of :
Child Development; adoption laws, regulations and processes.

Skill/Ability to :
Apply child abuse and neglect dynamics to case situations; use child development dynamics in assessing a child's developmental stage; speak, read and write Spanish, Hmong or other client language.

Education :
Master’s degree in social work or other behavioral science.

Experience:
Two years experience as a Social Services Worker III-CWS in Tulare County.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

E QUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 4

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annualbenefit amountis provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability).This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMOmedical plans which include PPOand HMO dental plans andinclude dentalandvision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, andVision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

Closing Date/Time: 6/28/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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Visalia, California United States View Map