Social Services Worker III-CWS Lead

Tulare County, CA; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Health and Human Services Agency in Visalia seeks a Social Services Worker III-CWS to manage a caseload across emergency response, family maintenance, reunification, permanency planning and adoptions.

You will assign cases, consult with colleagues, review treatment plans and monitor timeliness, while mentoring new staff and contributing to performance evaluations. A Bachelor's in social work is required, with one year of advanced experience; a Master’s is desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related behavioral science.
• One year of advanced case management experience.
• Knowledge of child welfare principles and court procedures.
• Ability to supervise and mentor staff.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Valid California driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload within the Child Welfare Services spectrum, including emergency response, family maintenance, family reunification, permanency planning and adoptions.
• Assign cases to other Social Services Workers III - CWS and consult with staff on various aspects of their cases.
• Review and approve case treatment plans and monitor case plans for timeliness.
• Assist in the completion of performance evaluations.
• Insure new employees receive mentoring and training.

Skills

Caseload management

Emergency response

Staff supervision

Interviewing

Counseling

Documentation

Communication

Data entry

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work

Master's degree in social work

Tools

Client tracking system

Job description

Current vacancies are with the Health and Human Services Agency, located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

• Manage a caseload within the Child Welfare Services spectrum, including emergency response, family maintenance, family reunification, permanency planning and adoptions.
• Assign cases to other Social Services Workers III - CWS and consult with staff on various aspects of their cases.
• Review and approve case treatment plans and monitor case plans for timeliness.
• Assist in the completion of performance evaluations.
• Insure new employees receive mentoring and training.

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or other behavioral science.

Experience:

• One year of advanced case management experience equivalent to that of a Social Services Worker III - CWS.

Knowledge of:

• Dynamics of child abuse and neglect.
• Interviewing and counseling methods and techniques.
• Court room procedures and etiquette. Community resources available to assist clients.
• Terminology and vocabulary relevant to social work and social service programs.
• Caseload management methods and techniques.
• Components of treatment plans and their development and implementation.
• Techniques for diagnosing family situations and problems sufficient to develop, implement, and monitor treatment plans.
• Basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Manage a caseload.
• Supervise, train, evaluate and monitor the work of Social Services Workers III - CWS.
• Investigate and make recommendations concerning family situations involving neglect or child abuse.
• Verbally communicate sufficiently to explain technical information to people of various socio-economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
• Read, interpret and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to social service programs.
• Write clear, concise, grammatically correct case narratives, court reports, records and letters.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Retain and recall information.
• Adjust to changes in workload and coordinate work with others.
• Establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Input and retrieve data into and from statewide, computerized client tracking and management system.
• Use patience, tact and courtesy in dealing with people under various circumstances and under emotional stress.
• Define problems, collect and evaluate information, organize and analyze material, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Use and develop community resources to best serve clients needs.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information and materials.
• Prepare, organize and give oral presentations.
• Act effectively in emotional and stressful situations in order to respond to emergencies and adopt an appropriate course of action.
• Type/keyboard accurately at a speed of 35 words per minute.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Child Development.
• Adoption laws, regulations and processes.

Skill/Ability to:

• Apply child abuse and neglect dynamics to case situations.
• Use child development dynamics in assessing a child's developmental stage.
• Speak, read and write Spanish, Hmong or other client language.

Education:

• Master’s degree in social work or other behavioral science.

Experience:

• Two years experience as a Social Services Worker III-CWS in Tulare County.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected may be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER