JOB
Performs basic social services casework; identifies client needs for more intensive casework services and provides referrals; carries a caseload of moderately difficult cases; manages a caseload of increasingly difficult cases; and performs other related work as assigned.Working under close supervision, Social Worker I is the entry/trainee class in the professional Social Worker series. Employees in this class are learning casework methods, procedures, policies and carry a limited non-complex social services caseload under close supervision and receive in-service training; are given close and constant supervision while learning social work principles, social service programs, basic case work methods and techniques, and departmental rules, regulations and procedures. Typical assignments are within child welfare and adult services programs; however, at the agency's discretion positions may be assigned to employment services to perform social services case work for employment services clients as required by department needs. As requisite skill and knowledge is developed, greater independence and the full scope of responsibility is exercised. Unless a position is permanently allocated to the Social Worker I level due to the nature of the work, employees are expected to advance to the Social Worker II after one year of satisfactory performance at the trainee level.SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVEDIncumbents in the Social Worker I/II classification receive direct supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor, or other higher-level supervisor or manager.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: (Note: For Social Worker I, duties are performed at the entry/trainee level.)Conducts interviews with clients, family members, and others in their home, in the office, or via telephone to assess the basic social, physical, and mental needs of clients and obtain health information in order to identify and provide social servicesPerforms case studies and evaluates individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determines appropriate types and methods of treatmentAssesses reports of suspected abuse; may be required to work on-call; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneysDevelops and carries out culturally sensitive non-complex to moderate treatment plans for an assigned caseload in conformance with agency, state and federal requirements; assists clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish case plan goalsRefers clients to other staff members, or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary; advocates on the clients' behalf for most appropriate services including enabling servicesAssists applicants and recipients in utilizing available resourcesInterprets policies, rules, and regulations of the agency to applicants, clients and others within the scope of their responsibilityMakes home visits in connection with casework assignmentsPrepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations and case plans to clients, families and service providersMay testify in courtMay be assigned to specialized functionsParticipates in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve technical competenceReceives casework consultation from professionally trained staff membersProvides community outreach for various agency programsMaintains client confidentiality; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of EthicsPerforms related duties as assignedEMPLOYMENT STANDARDSNote: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as distinguished between the two levels in the Definition Section.Knowledge of: Principles and practices of organization, workload management and time managementPrinciples and practices of note taking, report writing, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spellingPhone etiquette and interview techniquesSocio-economic conditions and trendsBasic principles of individual and group behaviorCurrent issues in the field of social welfareRole and responsibilities of social workersPrinciples of interviewing and problem-solving methodologyBasic public welfare programs on the Federal, State, and local levelGeneral principles of public assistance policies and programsDeveloping and preparing court report, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systemsEntering and retrieving data and narratives from automated computer systemsBasic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording of social caseworkLaws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency and the role of a social workerCommunity organization and the social problems calling for the use of public and private community resourcesBasic principles involved in the nature, growth, and development of personality and in-group processesThe medical, legal, economic, and social management needs of individuals and families with special medical needs such as HIV disease, drug dependency, the medically fragile child, Alzheimer's, and the terminally illThe strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the potential for suicideBasic psychopathology, the different types of mental illness diagnoses, how mental illness affects human behavior and mental health services and treatments utilized by clientsAbility to: Understand and learn the agency programs, policies, and proceduresObtain facts and recognize the relevance and significanceOrganize and maintain work detailEstablish and maintain effective client rapport and professional working relationships with agency staff, clients, and othersCommunicate effectively, both orally (phone and in person) and in writingAnalyze situations and adopt effective courses of actionInterpret and explain to the applicant, recipient, or others public social service programs, policies, rules, and regulationsDevelop skill in interviewing case recording and interpretationWork within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and servicesMaintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulationsWork effectively in emotionally charged or stressful settings/emergenciesOperate a personal computer and other office equipment and softwareAnalyze data, interpret and apply directions, rules, policies, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responsesAccept and use constructive feedbackInteract professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, or distressed clientsRespect cultural differencesWork with cases varying in difficulty /clients including clients with dual diagnoses, potentially dangerous clients or legally complex casesAnalyze data from multiple sources, interpret and apply complex directions, rules, policies, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
EXAMINATION INFORMATIONQUALIFICATIONS APPRAISAL PANEL – WEIGHTED 100%The Qualifications Appraisal Panel examination will consist of an oral interview either virtually or in person. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, a minimum rating of 70% must be attained. It is anticipated that the examination will be held during May 2024. Competitors who do not appear for the examination will be disqualified.ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATIONA departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Madera. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period. SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTSSpecial testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-323-2360 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination. APPLICATION DOCUMENTSIf you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers. GENERAL INFORMATIONMSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified. If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list. General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.ABOUT MADERA COUNTYMadera County is located at the geographic center of California, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley and the central Sierra Nevada mountains. The south-easternmost section of beautiful Yosemite National Park is also located in the northeastern portion of Madera County. Employment in the County shows that 54% are employed in the private sector, 12% in government, and 34% are self-employed. The County enjoys a favorable cost of living, lower than the national average, with housing costs coming in lower than the California average. The area is rich in agriculture, and is home to many fine wineries, the Madera Wine Trail, and many family-friendly parks and trails. Many outdoor recreational opportunities are available within Yosemite.