Child Welfare Worker Series

The Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) is comprised of almost 2,400 men and women working collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations, neighborhood groups and policy makers to serve the needs of the community. SSA provides services through its administration and operating departments. Administration includes Finance, Government and Community Relations, and Human Resources. SSA’s operations includes Adult and Aging Services, Children and Family Services, and Workforce and Benefits Administration.

The Social Services Agency assists one out of four of Alameda County's residents. The mission of the Social Services Agency is to promote the economic and social well-being of individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities.

To learn more about the Alameda County Social Services Agency, please visit the website at https://www.alamedasocialservices.org/.

THE POSITION

The Child Welfare Worker I is an entry-level classification. Under close supervision, the Child Welfare Worker I provides intensive assessment, case management and/or casework services toward providing the most stable home environment for children who have been or are in danger of being abused, neglected or abandoned, and may be assigned other duties. Child Welfare Worker I’s are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency which qualifies them to promote to Child Welfare Worker II upon completion of one (1) year full-time service. The Child Welfare Worker I job assignment will not be extended beyond one (1) year.

Child Welfare Worker I positions are located in the Social Services Agency, in the Department of Children and Family Services.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidates for the position of Child Welfare Worker must possess knowledge of the laws and principles related to child welfare. They must possess a broad knowledge and understanding of normal child development and how trauma impacts the developmental process. The successful candidates will have the skill and ability to conduct client interviews, assessment and crisis intervention activities. They will understand normal family functioning and how this functioning is impacted by trauma and loss. Incumbents in the position will exercise sound judgment in making diagnostic risk assessments and decisions regarding placement of children and handle high-pressure, crisis situations professionally and be able to extract appropriate information during such situations. They must be able to work with a variety of individuals with varying degrees of mental health functioning, literacy, coping abilities and life skills. They must have the ability to understand the role of the Agency in the treatment plan and the Social Services Agency's policies, procedures, programs and services and be able to articulate this understanding to their clients.

In addition, the ideal candidate must possess the following:

● The ability to learn and adeptly apply principles regarding child welfare,

● knowledge of community resources,

● the ability to set limits to assist clients in taking steps toward greater self-sufficiency,

● the ability to write clear, concise and descriptive reports under time restraints,

● strong written and verbal communication skills,

● the ability to work well under pressure and display sound time management techniques,

● an appreciation for diversity.

For a detailed listing of the Child Welfare Worker I duties, please click here.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Education:

Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, or Clinical Psychology, Sociology, Education or an equivalent field (Vocational Rehabilitation majors not acceptable).

OR II

Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) with major coursework in psychology, sociology, social work, child development or an equivalent field (Vocational Rehabilitation majors not acceptable).

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time post baccalaureate experience which involved the provision of direct services to families or children in one of the following or closely related areas: child welfare, family counseling, juvenile probation, pediatric social work, alcohol and drug counseling, school social work, and school counseling.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Principles of sociology and psychology relating to normal and abnormal human behavior and family and community dynamics.
• Child development and parenting skills.
• Interviewing techniques, including crisis intervention and counseling methods.
• The role of the Agency in the treatment plan and the Social Services Agency's policies, procedures, programs and services.
• Community resources.
• Legal definitions of sexual molestation, physical abuse, general neglect, incest, failure to thrive, emotional abuse, medical neglect and other details of laws relating to child abuse reporting and other related areas of law.

Ability to:

• Work cooperatively with varying interests and coordinate them towards achieving case plan and solving problems.
• Set limits to assist clients in taking steps toward greater self-sufficiency.
• Write clear, concise and descriptive reports under time restraints.
• Exercise sound judgment in making diagnostic risk assessments and decisions regarding placement of children.
• Deal effectively with hostile, disorganized or aggressive clients.
• supervision and consultation.
• Handle high-pressure, crisis situations professionally and extract appropriate information in such situations.
• Learn and use various computer applications such as word processing and databases.