FLSA: Exempt

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, supervises Social Worker Assistants and Social Workers who carry a select and difficult caseload in child or adult services, including Child Welfare and Child Protective Services, In-home Supportive Services and Adult Protective Services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from a Program Manager or designee. Exercises direct supervision over Social Worker Assistants and Social Workers.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the supervisory level in the Department of Employment & Social Services (DESS) Social Worker classification; typical duties may include: Supervise staff and program activities, provide Staff Development, perform Quality Assurance duties in accordance with ethical and legal standards.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Guides, supervises and schedules staff; prioritizes and assigns cases and projects; develops staff skills and conducts performance evaluations; develops and implements corrective action plans as needed; identifies training needs and provides training for staff.
• Provides coaching, counseling and guidance on professional responsibilities and technical skills.
• Meets regularly with staff to offer support and guidance; analyzes and evaluates issues and proposals, develops recommendations, and directs the implementation of solutions.
• Reviews cases; facilitates and guides development of assessment and treatment plans; reviews and critiques progress notes and case plans; performs ongoing risk management assessment of cases and staff. 
• Leads and manages unit meetings to review client caseload, services, concerns and recommendations; assures that appropriate services are provided; assures effective communications between staff and programs.
• Performs a wide range of general administrative duties; reviews and approves expenditures, reports, documentation and time studies.
• Coordinates Immediate Response/Emergency Response (IR/ER) interventions, assisting individuals in crisis situations; acts as client advocate; may provide court testimony as agency representative witness.
• Assists staff in accessing private and public services and resources.
• Reviews individual case plans; teaches socialization and coping skills, and promotes independent behavior; monitors and follows-up periodically to reassess client status.
• Participates on interview panels and make hiring recommendations.
• Reviews and assures the accuracy of staff’s client files and other documents to ensure compliance with internal policies, procedures, and compliance with Federal Case Review requirements. May conduct field interviews as part of the review process; compiles and synthesizes data for summary reports.
• Coordinates and participates in the preparation for and response to Federal, State, and internal reviews of system performance and quality and data collection and reports.
• Participate in the development and implementation of counseling and guidance programs for at-risk and target groups.
• Recognizes cultural and linguistic differences of client populations; provides service delivery to appropriate public, private and community services and resources; provides language interpretation services as needed.
• Supports the relationship between Butte County and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, visitors, and other employees.
• Develops, monitors, manages and provides technical training for DESS staff, community groups, and other agencies utilizing appropriate training, performance consulting techniques, adult learning concepts and facilitation skills; assures the effectiveness of training programs to achieve department strategies, regulatory requirements , and continuous improvement goals.
• Adheres to the standards of the Privacy Act of 1974, {U.S.C. § 552A} as amended; maintains and enforces all aspects of confidentiality of client information.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• County, State and Federal laws, statutes, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations.
• County and Department policies and procedures, and professional rules of conduct.
• Principles, practices, and trends in public administration, supervision and training.
• Professional counseling and social work methods, practices and procedures.
• Case management methods, practices and procedures for assigned client population.
• Local community resources and various community services programs. 
• Underlying social, economic, political and physical factors facing client groups, and strategies to resolve core issues.
• Crisis intervention techniques, and mediation/conciliation methods and procedures.

Ability To:

• Lead, supervise staff, prioritize multiple tasks, and delegate tasks and authority.
• Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Understand, interpret and apply relevant statutes, ordinances, codes and regulations. 
• Evaluate and interpret case management results, and performance expectations.
• Analyze problems, identify solutions, recommend and implement methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Perform complex casework services, and counseling, motivating, and educating clients.
• Interact with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Identify and coordinate multiple community resources to serve client needs.
• Assess, review, update and maintain files, reports and documentation.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, other County employees and representatives from other city, county, state and Federal agencies.
• Operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.

Education and Experience:

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences; and

Three (3) years of work experience performing increasingly responsible social work duties; OR

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or Behavioral Sciences; and

Five (5) years of work experience performing increasingly responsible social work duties.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects up to 40 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. 
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Requires frequent visits to client homes; may require visits to other organizations, agencies, departments, and private businesses. 
• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. 
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County 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.