JOB
Under general direction, the Social Worker Supervisor I plans, organizes and supervises social service and employment staff engaged in providing information and referral services, adult protective services, in-home supportive services, home placement services, child protective services, emergency response services and/or employment services; performs other related work as assigned.Social Worker Supervisor I is the first supervisory level in the series. Social Worker Supervisor I differs from the next lower classification of Social Worker IV in that the former is the first line supervisor. Social Worker Supervisor I differs from Social Worker Supervisor II in that the latter is at the second supervisory level and requires a master's degree.SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVEDIncumbents in the Social Worker Supervisor I classification generally receive direction from a Program Manager or other management level classification. A Social Worker Supervisor I, supervises a variety of Social Workers, clerical and technical staff, but does not supervise employees in positions that require a master's degree pursuant to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) Division 31 regulations (31.070).NATURE OF WORKThe primary function of a Social Worker Supervisor I is to supervise staff that support social work practice by interpreting policies and procedures and reviewing and monitoring the work performed including case records and reports to ensure quality service delivery and compliance with state and federal laws and agency policy.This position is responsible for the training of CPS Social Workers new to the Protective Services field. Additionally, this position plays in integral role in the maintaining and updating of the CPS training program manuals and materials. This Supervisor oversees a Staff Services Analyst who conducts Case Review of the CPS cases, and conducts Quality Assurance of the Case Review work. The Supervisor interacts with all CPS Supervisors as their role as new employee trainer results in a transition to another CPS Unit’s Social Worker. The Supervisor oversees the CPS Legal Clerks, and manages the flow of the Court documentation processed by the Unit Staff. Therefore, the Supervisor must stay up to date on changing legal mandates and practices.TYPICAL DUTIESPlans, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of support staff to ensure quality, completion, and compliance with department standards; identifies training needs, conducts training for all CPS staff and provides leadership and coaching for staff which includes using continuous quality improvement to improve practice; independently establishes a course of action to accomplish work objectives and adapts to meeting changing priorities; promotes cooperative professional working relations among staff, resolves conflicts, and monitors work environment; provides employees with guidance and prepares performance evaluations; and develops or revises policies, procedures, and templates to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance. CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES as a Social Worker Supervisor, you may be required to take actions that conflict with your own values regarding client services, and agency operations. The Social Worker Supervisor may encounter clients who are emotionally charged; clients that have substance dependence, mental health, trauma or domestic violence history. A Social Worker Supervisor must be able to accept clients' differences and interact with them in a non-judgmental manner.IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate for this position will have the necessary skills to supervise, lead, train and direct staff; have a strong emphasis on continuous quality improvement; strong work ethic and ability to prioritize assigned work tasks and follow through in a timely manner; excellent listening and strong written and verbal communication skills; exceptional customer service skills and initiative; solution based problem solving skills; experience in maintaining cooperative relations and communications with clients, management, and staff; be able to effectively work with community partners, and be knowledgeable of community resources; ability to maintain a high standard of professionalism; proficiency in Microsoft Office as well as basic knowledge of software and database programs.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Plans, assigns, supervises, coaches, mentors, and reviews the work of employees engaged in the delivery of employment and social services; consults with and guides social workers in providing counseling, support and guidance to clients with complex or specialized needs; may be required to work or supervise on-callReviews and approves forms, applications, court reports, placements, reports of abuse and other documents to verify information or determine proper course of action; reassesses and modifies case plansReviews and approves reports of abuse; suggests or approves placements; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may testify in court; supports witnesses and victims who must testify in courtDocuments and addresses clients' concerns and complaintsSelects, trains, evaluates, and disciplines subordinate staffDiscusses or interprets regulations, rules, policies and programs to clients, applicants, staff and the general publicAssists and participates in the development of in-service staff development programsFacilitates communication between staff and management; communicates department expectations and activities, policy changes, and regulatory changes; evaluates and recommends service delivery improvementsAuthorizes the provision of social and employment services through the department, provides services, and makes referrals to other agency staff and community agenciesProvides social services for sensitive or confidential cases, in the absence of assigned social workers or to meet workload demandsParticipates or intercedes in interviews to defuse hostile or angry clients; obtains information on personal issues in difficult or emotional situations; explains decisions or recommendations to clients and family membersEstablishes and maintains effective working relationships and trust with staff, clients, family members, community organizations and the public; collaborates with service providers; facilitates a work environment favoring teamwork, collaboration and mutual respectProvides peer support for coworkers facing case related stressDevelops and prepares court reports, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systemsEnters and retrieves data and narratives from automated computer systemsMaintains written chronological narrative reflecting personal or other contacts with the client and reasons for the social worker's actions; prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations and case plans to clients, families and service providersEnters and retrieves information from an automated computer system; researches information using the Internet and computer resourcesReceives, approves and prepares correspondence and reportsEnsures all services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive and appropriate manner andMaintains confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of EthicsIn small agencies, may be responsible for social workers involved in the provision of the full range of social services including advanced servicesPerforms related duties as assignedEMPLOYMENT STANDARDSKnowledge of: Principles and practices of supervision, training, mentoring, motivating, casework consultation, and peer counselingPrinciples and practices of organization, workload management, and time managementPrinciples and practices of note taking, report writing, and English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spellingFunctions of public social services agencies and the principles of public social service administrationCasework concepts, techniques of interviewing, and record keeping in social caseworkLaws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of public social services agencies and the role and responsibilities of a social workerMedical, 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 illStrategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the potential for suicidePsychopathology, the different types of mental illness diagnoses, how mental illness affects human behavior and mental health services and treatments utilized by clientsSigns, stages, and dynamics of abuse, and the effects of abuse on child/adult development and behaviorSigns and symptoms of alcohol and drug use/abuse in adults and children and the effects on familiesStandards for maintaining clients safely in the home; options for placement; effects of removing clients from unsafe situationsPrinciples and methodologies of research, analysis, problem solving, and decision making.Computers, software, and Internet researchResources available in the community for referral or utilization in employment or social service programsPrinciples, methods, and resources in the field of public health, mental health, education, corrections and rehabilitation as they relate to public social servicesAbility to: Exercise sound judgment when organizing, directing, and prioritizing unit activities.Select, train, coach, supervise, evaluate, and discipline subordinate staffMentor, counsel, and collaborate with staff and foster an environment of teamwork, mutual respect and professionalismApply effective interpersonal and interviewing skillsDevelop and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, clients, and outside organizationsPresent oral and written reports concisely and clearlyAnalyze a situation accurately and adopt an effective course of actionMaintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulationsRecognize signs of abuse for children, the elderly and dependent adults; assess risk factors and potential dangers to clientsAct effectively in stressful situationsInteract professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, or distressed clientsRespect cultural differencesUse computers and related software
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
EXAMINATION INFORMATIONTRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION – WEIGHTED 100% The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate’s knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination. Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin. ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATIONA departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Tehama. 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.RETEST PERIODOnce you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.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 916-909-3701 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.BENEFITS This position offers the following benefits: Represented by the Joint Council bargaining unit.96 hours of vacation per year, increasing upon continuous years of service.96 hours of sick leave per year.13 paid holidays plus one 8-hour personal holiday.CalPERS retirement plan, 8% employee contribution.The County pays approximately 80% of premium for medical, dental, and vision plan (including a $30,000 life insurance plan for employee). For the employee and entire family, the current employee's share of the insurance plan is $225.42 per month.Annual salary step increase based upon satisfactory performance and completion of 2,080 hours (Steps A to E).Deferred compensation plan with the County matching the employee's deposit, up to $60 per month.Supplemental insurance plans are available.Employee Assistance Program is provided to all employees at no cost by the County. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONADA/EEO/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACEAs a condition of employment Tehama County Social Services will require: A valid driver's license will be required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.Proof of ability to work in the United StatesPre-employment drug testing and physicalGovernment agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. A background check may be required if the position requires access to these types of records. Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification and local law enforcement checks. State agencies must conduct investigation during time of hire and ensure a reinvestigation is conducted 10 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information.ABOUT TEHAMA COUNTYBeautiful Tehama County is in the heart of northern California, midway between Sacramento and the Oregon border. Based on the shores of the Sacramento River and in the shadows of Mount Lassen, Tehama County boasts some of the lowest housing costs in California along with short commute times to work. The County is home to a myriad of recreational activities.