Child Welfare Worker II

Alamedacountysheriff; Alameda (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Alameda County Social Services Agency seeks a Child Welfare Worker II to provide intensive assessment, case management and services for children who have been abused, neglected, or are at risk. The role requires handling complex cases, collaborating with families and courts, and applying trauma-informed approaches.

Ideal candidates will have knowledge of child welfare laws, trauma-informed practice, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse families under pressure.

Qualifications

• Experience in client interviews and crisis intervention.
• Ability to write clear, concise reports under time constraints.
• Knowledge of child welfare laws and policy.
• Ability to assess risk and placement decisions for children.

Responsibilities

• Conduct client interviews and crisis intervention.
• Assess and document child welfare risks and placement decisions.
• Prepare clear case reports and maintain case documentation.
• Coordinate with families, agencies and resources to support outcomes.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Crisis intervention

Report writing

Time management

Diversity appreciation

Education

Master’s in Social Work

Master’s in Counseling/Clinical Psychology/Sociology/Education

Job description

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW OPEN CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION.The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.This examination may be reopened as necessary and the names of additional candidates merged onto the existing list according to examination score.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. This is a continuous filing exam with filing deadlines on the following dates:
January 6, 2026
March 16, 2026
May 15, 2026
July 15, 2026
September 15, 2026
November 16, 2026
If you have previously applied or started an application for the Child Welfare Worker II, Examination #25-6745-01, to reapply for this recruitment, please contact the examination analyst, Montrice Goodman, at [e-mail] to have your previous application released back to you.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
*All applicants must provide a transcript which notes the number of units and field practicum obtained for their Master’s degree. Transcripts must be submitted at the (appointment) time of the oral examination. If the transcript does not clearly indicate degree requirements have been fulfilled, a letter from an accredited college or university which affirms the graduation requirements/status must be provided. Applicants who fail to provide sufficient proof of their Master’s degree will be disqualified.
Bilingual Candidates are Highly Encouraged to Apply. Qualified bilingual persons who speak English and are also fluent in: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Korean, Mien, Tagalog, Amharic, Farsi, Dari, Tigrigna, Russian, Romanian or Sign Languages are especially encouraged to apply. There is an additional biweekly compensation for persons in positions designated bilingual. Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.
*The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you previously submitted an application and choose to reapply, your new score/disposition will replace your current disposition. If you do not wish to change your score/disposition, you are not required to reapply to this examination. Candidates who received a qualifying score cannot participate in the examination within six (6) months of their disposition notice. Candidates who did not qualify may reapply sixty (60) days from their disposition notice. Candidates who failed any of the exam components (i.e., oral exam), may reapply sixty (60) days from the exam date. *

DESCRIPTION

THE DEPARTMENT
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.alamedacountysocialservices.org.
THE POSITION
Child Welfare Worker IIs in Alameda County provide 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. They perform social casework of an advanced nature for children and families while dealing with complex problems under the time limitation and responsibility imposed by court action; and perform related duties as required.
Child Welfare Worker II 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:
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 more detailed information about the job classification, visit Child Welfare Worker II job specification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I
Experience:
The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience as a Child Welfare Worker I in the Alameda County classified service. AND
Recommendation for promotion based on recent performance evaluations.
OR II
Education:
Possession of a master's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work, which included a supervised field placement providing social casework and counseling services to individuals and families.
OR III
Education:
Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Sociology, Education or an equivalent field (Vocational Rehabilitation majors not acceptable). AND
Experience:
Satisfactory completion of two (2) semesters of supervised field work in an agency involved in 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, or school counseling.
OR
Experience:
The equivalent of six (6) months full-time post baccalaureate professional work experience which involved the provision of direct services to families or children in one of the areas previously described.
License:
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

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.
Accept 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.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps:
1. A review of applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2. An oral in-person interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises. Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this examination.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.
Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.
To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PLAN: For applications submitted between October 30, 2025 through January 6, 2026:
Deadline for Filing: Continuous
Review of Minimum Qualifications: Friday, January 16, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of February 23, 2026
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:
Department Hiring Interviews – Combined Process Week of February 23, 2026
For applications submitted between January 7 through March 6, 2026:
Deadline for Filing: Continuous
Review of Minimum Qualifications: Friday, March 13, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of April 13, 2026
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:
Department Hiring Interviews – Combined Process Week of April 13, 2026
For applications submitted between March 7 through May 15, 2026:
Deadline for Filing: Continuous
Review of Minimum Qualifications: Friday, May 22, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of June 22, 2026
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:
Department Hiring Interviews – Combined Process Week of June 22, 2026
For applications submitted between May 16 through July 15, 2026:
Deadline for Filing: Continuous
Review of Minimum Qualifications: Friday, July 24, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of August 24, 2026
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:
Department Hiring Interviews – Combined Process Week of August 24, 2026
For applications submitted between July 16 through September 15, 2026:
Deadline for Filing: Continuous
Review of Minimum Qualifications: Friday, September 25, 206
Oral Examination: Week of October 26, 2026
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:
Department Hiring Interviews – Combined Process Week of October 26, 2026
For applications submitted between September 16 through December 4, 2026:
Deadline for Filing: Continuous
Review of Minimum Qualifications: Friday, December 11, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of February 22, 2027
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:
Department Hiring Interviews – Combined Process Week of February 22, 2027

BENEFITS

The County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall wellbeing. These benefits include but are not limited to*:
For your Health & Well-Being
Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Share the Savings
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program
For your Financial Future
Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
For your Work/Life Balance
12 paid holidays
Floating Holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual
Vacation purchase program
Catastrophic Sick Leave
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
Child Care Resources
1st United Credit Union
*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.