SOCIAL WORK INVESTIGATOR

Children's Law Center of California; Monterey Park (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, D

Up to 6% employer matched retirement

Generous Parental Leave

Fitness/Wellness Program

Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA

Transit + Parking Benefits

Professional development funds

Job summary

Children’s Law Center of California seeks a Social Work Investigator to gather information on clients in home, school, hospital, and other settings. This full-time, in-person role serves Los Angeles County and surrounding areas with regular client visits and collaboration with attorneys.

You will interview caretakers and children, document living conditions, and help identify needed services. Travel is required; strong written reports are essential.

Qualifications

• Capable of working under limited day-to-day supervision of the Investigator Supervisor and attorneys.
• Ability to prepare and submit timely written reports or observations and recommendations to the case-carrying attorney.
• Have flexibility and a willingness to be a team player.
• Demonstrate sensitivity & awareness of cultural differences to effectively communicate & advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds.
• An ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with children, teens, their families and caregivers.
• AA degree/60 college units or 2 years’ direct experience working with children in a related field.
• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center.

Responsibilities

• Visit clients, caretakers and others to develop a trusting and professional relationship with clients.
• Interview caretakers and children, to the extent possible, to observe and document the children’s current living situation, developmental progress and emotional wellbeing.
• During client contact, the Investigator is expected to note and services that have not been implemented, that may need to be implemented, or any other issues for attorney review.
• Evaluate and recommend the need for further or different services that may be beneficial to the child and the family.
• Identify services in the community and make referrals as needed.
• Assist attorneys with client interviews.
• Serve as duty day Investigator in the office.
• Communicate regularly with the attorneys, both verbally and in writing, regarding status of caseloads and assignments and with all relevant information regarding the client.
• With general direction from the attorney, attend Individual education Plan (IEP) meetings, TDM and similar team decision making meetings, DCFS and placement staffing, hospital screenings and Regional Center conferences.
• Manager and maintain caseload; Schedule appointments for client visits and collateral meetings.
• Frequently exercise discretion and independent judgement at meetings, conferences and hearings attended as the sole representative of CLC.
• Continuous learning: staying informed and adapting evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.

Skills

Report writing ability

Team player

Effective communication with children

Cultural sensitivity

Client interview skills

California driver’s license

Self-motivation under supervision

Education

AA degree/60 college units or 2 years’ direct experience with children

Job description

Description

POSITION TITLE: SOCIAL WORK INVESTIGATOR

Reports to: Investigator Supervisor

Salary: $23.98/hr. - $41.21/hr. (based on experience and qualifications)

Job Snapshot

Investigators provide vitally important information to CLC Attorneys about our clients. Investigators visit clients in their home placements, at school, in hospital settings, and other locations to gather information from and about our clients. This includes information about the conditions of the home, health and safety concerns, developmental progress, medical and educational issues, services needs and family relationships.

This is a fully in person position serving clients throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding areas. The role requires regular travel to meet clients in a variety of settings.

Job Type

Full-time

Your Impact on the Mission – Excellence in Advocacy

• Visit clients, caretakers and others to develop a trusting and professional relationship with clients.


• Interview caretakers and children, to the extent possible, to observe and document the children’s current living situation, developmental progress and emotional wellbeing.


• During client contact, the Investigator is expected to note and services that have not been implemented, that may need to be implemented, or any other issues for attorney review.


• Evaluate and recommend the need for further or different services that may be beneficial to the child and the family.


• Identify services in the community and make referrals as needed.


• Assist attorneys with client interviews.


• Serve as duty day Investigator in the office.


• Communicate regularly with the attorneys, both verbally and in writing, regarding status of caseloads and assignments and with all relevant information regarding the client.


• With general direction from the attorney, attend Individual education Plan (IEP) meetings, TDM and similar team decision making meetings, DCFS and placement staffing, hospital screenings and Regional Center conferences.


• Manager and maintain caseload; Schedule appointments for client visits and collateral meetings.


• Frequently exercise discretion and independent judgement at meetings, conferences and hearings attended as the sole representative of CLC.


• Continuous learning: staying informed and adapting evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.

Requirements

The Assets You Possess/Essential Qualifications

• Capable of working under limited day-to-day supervision of the Investigator Supervisor and attorneys.


• Ability to prepare and submit timely written reports or observations and recommendations to the case-carrying attorney.


• Have flexibility and a willingness to be a team player.


• Demonstrate sensitivity & awareness of cultural differences to effectively communicate & advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds.


• An ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with children, teens, their families and caregivers.


• AA degree/60 college units or 2 years’ direct experience working with children in a related field.


• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center.

Perks + Benefits Employees of CLC Enjoy:

Health + Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Program


• Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance) *


• Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan*


• Generous Parental Leave + Additional Leave Options*


• Fitness/Wellness Program*


• Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA *


• Transit + Parking Benefits *

Growth + Development

• Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.

Flexibility + Additional

• Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)


• Paid vacation/sick/holiday time


• CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys actively employed on the date bar dues are owed and who have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. CLC will also pay bar dues for new admittees who are actively employed on their initial payment due date and have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date.


• Must meet eligibility requirements upon open enrollment

About CLC

CLC is the largest children's legal services organization in the nation, advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County foster care systems. We are a powerful voice for our clients, fighting in and out of the courtroom for family reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health and mental health services, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being. We want all of California’s children to have the support they need to succeed. We work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children, multidisciplinary advocacy and support, and public policy.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, individual with disability, medical condition, marital status, ancestry, military status, veteran status, protected veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected group status or non-job related characteristic of an individual as directed by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity—Reasonable Accommodation Assistance

Children’s Law Center of California is committed to maintaining an environment of equal opportunity. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided by this organization, please contact [e-mail] for further assistance regarding job postings.

Salary Description

$23.98-$41.21