Social Service Worker I - Hourly/At-Will/Part-Time

City of Norwalk (CA); Norwalk (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Norwalk (CA) is seeking a compassionate Social Services Worker I for its Social Services Department. The role handles requests for services such as emergency food and shelter, counseling, and advocacy.

It includes developing programs, providing information and referrals, and supporting special projects within the department. Essential duties include interviewing and counseling clients, determining eligibility for benefits, preparing care plans and court-related documents, and

Qualifications

• Experience providing counseling or referrals to clients in need of social services.
• Ability to determine and document eligibility for benefits.
• Ability to prepare client care plans and reports for supervision.
• Familiarity with preparing court reports, petitions, or notices as required.

Responsibilities

• Interviews, assesses, and provides counseling or referrals to clients in need of specialized social services or other public assistance.
• Determines and documents eligibility for various social service benefits per program regulations.
• Prepares corrective client care plans for supervisory review.
• Prepares court reports, petitions, or notices and coordinates hearings.
• Develops relationships with area social service providers to enhance service delivery.
• Participates in administration of special projects and events; liaises with senior citizen groups.
• Develops materials and programs for classes and projects; administers special funds.
• Monitors agencies providing supportive services; researches, writes, and monitors grants.

Skills

Counseling

Crisis management

Effective communication

Spanish language

Social work knowledge

Education

Social work/sociology/psychology coursework

Three years college coursework + work experience

Job description

The City of Norwalk is currently seeking a compassionate Social Services Worker I for a vacant position in its Social Services Department. This could be a great opportunity for you if you are passionate about helping others. The Social Services Worker I is responsible for responding to requests for services, such as emergency food and shelter assistance, counseling, and advocacy. They provide information and refer to clients as appropriate, develop programs and classes, provide directions to support groups, perform special project assignments, and perform related duties as required.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Interviews, assesses, and provides counseling or referrals to clients in need of specialized social services or other public assistance.

Determines and documents eligibility for various social service benefits in accordance with applicable program regulations and departmental procedures and policies.

Prepares corrective client care plans for supervisory review and approval, based on assessments of client needs, legal issues and constraints, potential for harm or injury to client.

Prepares court reports, petitions, or notices in accordance with case requirements; coordinates hearing dates and notification requirements.

Participates in the development of and maintains relationships with area social service providers to enhance delivery of department services; maintains a registry of resources for information, services, and/or referral.

Participates in the administration of special projects, such as annual health fairs and other events; maintains liaison to senior citizen clubs and similar organizations to coordinate activities and provide social services assistance.

Develops materials and programs for classes and special projects. Administers and disperses special funds. Sorts packages and distributes emergency food supplies.

Monitors and reviews agencies which provide supportive services to the Social Services Department.

Researches, writes, and monitors grants.

Knowledge of:

methods and techniques of social work.

Ability to:

assess and motivate, persuade and counsel clients with a variety of problems; manage crises or stressful situations; learn and apply the various requirements of social services provided by the department; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Ability to speak Spanish is desirable.

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance. Example combinations include:

College level course work in social work, sociology or psychology; and/or training and experience in social services activities. A combination of three (3) years college level course work and work experience in social service programs.

Required Licenses and Certificates

Possession or ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license at the time of appointment and a satisfactory driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

Employees perform sedentary work. While performing the duties of this job, employees are required to sit, talk and hear. Employees are frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, crouch and reach with hands and arms. Employees frequently must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by these positions are those required to perform office machine operations.

Work Environment

Employees are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Hostile or angry clients are regularly encountered.

The City of Norwalk, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in its employment actions, policies, procedures or practices.