Social Service Practitioner I (CFS)

San Bernardino County; California (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment Bonus up to $2,000

Job summary

San Bernardino County is seeking a Social Service Practitioner I to provide professional social work services, including diagnosis, assessment, intervention and case management for children and families with complex needs. The role involves travel and home visits as a routine part of assignments in various counties.

Starting as SSP I with close supervision, you will gain the required experience to qualify for promotion to SSP II after meeting minimum requirements and performance.

Qualifications

• Must have a BSW or be within 120 days of completing it.
• Two years of casework experience equivalent to Social Worker II.
• Degrees/courses outside the U.S. must be evaluated for equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional social work services including diagnosis, assessment, intervention and case management.
• Travel and field work, including home visits, are routine.
• Assist in coordinating services and supporting families with complex needs.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW)

Graduate coursework in gerontology/behavioral science/psychology/social services

Job description

Recruitment Bonus

• Recruitment Bonus: Newly hired employees from this recruitment may be eligible to receive bonus payments up to $2,000*
• Remote Assignment: Newly hired employees from this recruitment accepting positions in Victorville, Barstow, Yucca Valley, and Needles may be eligible to receive bonus payments up to $2,000*

*According to criteria established in the Professional Unit Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Social Service Practitioner (SSP) I

Social Service Practitioner (SSP) I is the trainee level of the professional social work series. These positions provide professional social work services including diagnosis, assessment, intervention and case management support to children and/or families with complex health, psychological or economic problems. Work requires investigating and/or supporting cases involving neglect, abuse, emotional or behavioral problems, physical/mental disabilities or other health conditions. Travel and field work, including home visits, are a routine part of these assignments.

Training / Advancement

Social Service Practitioners I work under close supervision in a training capacity while acquiring the necessary skills and experience to qualify for promotion to the Social Service Practitioner II ($71,510.40-$98,259.20 annually). Starting salary may be commensurate with qualifications and/or child welfare services experience.

Promotion

Incumbents in the class of SSP I are eligible for promotion to SSP II upon completion of the training period or meeting the minimum requirements for the SSP II, in addition to receiving a satisfactory Work Performance Evaluation. Incumbents must successfully promote within twelve (12) months of hire or be terminated.

Children and Family Services (CFS) offers a competitive salary and benefits package and rewards dedicated employees with long‑term service commitment to the County. Social Service Practitioners II may automatically advance within the series to Social Service Practitioner III ($87,068.80-$106,100.80 annually) after completing 3 full years (6,240 hours) of service as a Social Service Practitioner II, or an equivalent County‑approved classification. Completed service hours at the SSP I Trainee Level shall not count toward the service hour requirement to advance from the SSP II Level to the SSP III Level.

Special Assignments / Financial Incentives

Candidates available for the following assignments are encouraged to apply and may receive additional compensation as specified in the MOU.

• Bilingual Positions: Applicants fluent in American Sign Language, Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish and/or Vietnamese are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional compensation is associated with positions requiring the use of bilingual skills. Testing of bilingual skills may be required to receive additional compensation.
• Standby or call‑back duty
• Rotating/Swing/Night Shift: CFS provides 24 hour emergency response services and operates an After Hours Response Center, which requires availability to work swing and/or night shift. Positions may be assigned to work a 4/10 or 3/12 schedule and may be eligible to receive an Evening/Night Shift Differential. Make sure to indicate a willingness to work rotating shifts, which includes weekends, on your application.

Excellent Benefits

To review job‑specific benefits, refer to SummaryofBenefits and the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). The County also offers an alternative Modified Benefits Option (MBO) that provides a wage differential.

Conditions of Employment

Schedule

Due to the nature of these assignments, these positions may regularly require mandatory overtime.

Travel

Statewide and nationwide travel may be required. Travel throughout the County is also required, and employees may be required to make provisions for local transportation (mileage reimbursement is available at current IRS rates). A valid California Class C driver license, clean driving record and proof of automobile liability insurance must be maintained for the individual providing the transportation.

Physical

Employees visit clients in their homes and other settings to complete risk and safety assessments. Incumbents must be able to visually assess allegations of abuse and the client's environment as mandated by the State of California. Positions require ability to lift and carry children up to fifty(50) lbs.

Sponsorship

San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the following options:

Option A

Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from a school accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. Applications will also be accepted from candidates who are within 120 days of completing a BSW. Job offers may be made contingent upon degree completion; verification of qualifications will be required prior to hire.

Option B – Education

Thirty (30) semester (45 quarter) units of graduate or upper division coursework in gerontology, behavioral science, psychology, social services/human services, anthropology, cultural and gender studies, human development, criminal justice, or closely related field. (Note: Candidates with degree titles not specified above (e.g. Political Science, etc.) may be considered but must provide coursework for review.) Candidates must provide a list of completed coursework or copies of transcripts unless they have completed a Bachelor's/Advanced Degree in a qualifying area.

Experience

Two (2) years of casework experience equivalent to a Social Worker II in San Bernardino County. (Note: Experience as a Social Worker II Trainee is not qualifying and should be clearly distinguished from experience as a Social Worker II on application or resume.)

Qualifying degrees or coursework must be completed at a college or university accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education. BSW/MSW degrees or coursework must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education. Degrees or coursework completed outside of the U.S. must be accompanied by an evaluation report from a reputable credential evaluation service indicating equivalency to degrees or coursework completed at a college or university accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education. Proof of the required completed coursework and/or degree(s) will be required at the time of the interview.

Experience in government child welfare or other social work experience related to the services provided within CFS is highly desirable.

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire; therefore it is to your advantage to provide as much relevant and detailed work experience as possible. Resumes may accompany the application as supplemental information only, but are typically not considered or reviewed unless specifically requested on the job announcement.

Applications will be accepted continuously and reviewed periodically.

All communications regarding the remainder of the selection process will be via email or text message. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spamix, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.

If you need technical assistance, review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line [phone]. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form (Download PDF) within one week of the recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to Veterans' Preference Policy.