Social Worker Assistant II

County of Mendocino; California (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Mendocino seeks a Social Worker Assistant I to support social workers in Adult Services and Family Services. You will maintain caseloads, conduct home visits or calls, and assist with assessments and reporting to ensure client services are delivered effectively.

Requirements include one year in a public social services agency or two years in related direct service, plus a valid driver's license. Training and education assistance may be available.

Qualifications

• One year in a public social services agency as Social Worker Assistant I, or two years performing related direct-service duties.
• Equivalent to two years of college with at least 15 semester units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or related fields.
• Any combination of higher education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload of infirmed or incapacitated elderly adults receiving household services.
• Conduct home visits or approved alternatives such as phone or video calls.
• Conduct ongoing needs assessments and prepare narrative reports.
• May transport clients and coordinate with providers; maintain records.
• Assist with duties to support social workers and families across programs.

Skills

Human behavior basics

Community resources

Housekeeping methods

Social services laws

Computer software

Education

Two years college with 15 semester units in social welfare or related field

Job description

The current vacancies are with Family and Children's Services in Ukiah and Willits, and with Adult & Aging Services in Ukiah and Fort Bragg.

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions in a variety of departments, service areas, and locations throughout the County, should they occur.

Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

Under general supervision, provides assistance to social workers by performing the more routine tasks such as ongoing assessments of clients in the In-Home Support Services (IHSS) program, instructing parents in developing parenting and household management skills, supervising parental visits, transporting clients, or performing a variety of the other less complex functions related to assigned program areas which do not require the skill and training of a social worker.

The Social Worker Assistant series provides an excellent career path for those interested in pursuing a career with the County of Mendocino.

Earn your AA, BSW, or MSW with Title IV-E funding—MCDSS employees may qualify for educational assistance. Learn morehere.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Adult Services

• Maintain a caseload of infirmed or incapacitated elderly adults receiving household services.
• Conduct scheduled home visits or approved alternative such as a phone or video call.
• Conduct ongoing needs assessments.
• Verify needs by contacting medical and health services providers.
• Present assessments to review committees.
• Complete narrative reports of client condition and services.
• Make referrals to medical personnel or social workers as needed.
• Maintain provider registry, reviewing applications and references, and matching providers to recipients.
• Conduct provider orientation.
• Produce and supply Provider List to recipients.
• Coordinates and/or assists with provider files, forms, timesheets, and other documentation, ensuring documents are complete and provided to the appropriate parties.

Family Services

• Provide direct training and counseling to parents on a variety of topics which may include general parenting and household management skills such as nutritional meal preparation, budgeting, and household care, and Car Seat training, etc.
• May provide training to young adults related to developing and managing life management skills, such as obtaining housing, banking, employment, and other areas in support of independent living.
• Monitor medical and psychological care of abused children.
• Supervise visits with parents and children and report observations to social worker.
• Conduct drug screenings for clients.
• Provide emergency childcare.
• Testify in juvenile court hearings, as needed.
• Meets with families to gather information, identify needs, review services to help ensure needs are met,
• Conduct ongoing needs assessments.
• Conducts research, locates, contacts and/or coordinates with family members.
• May be assigned to specialized programs, such as Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) program, Family Findings and Connections Program, Wraparound Program, and Independent Living Skills Program, etc.

All Areas

• Identify and report specific indication of a need for social services.
• Maintain records and written reports.
• May transport clients.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as coordinating visits with families, providers, and staff, and providing office coverage.
• Track progress of clients and perform follow up visits as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience

One (1) year in a public social services agency as a Social Worker Assistant I, or two (2) years performing the duties of a Vocational Assistant, Eligibility Worker, or other class providing direct service to clients on a regular basis.

OR

Equivalent to two (2) years of college with at least 15 semester units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, child development, or other behavioral science areas.

Any combination of higher education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge and skills to perform the job duties.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid Driver’s License

Knowledge of

• Basic principles of human behavior.
• Basic community resources useful to clients served.
• Acceptable housekeeping and homemaking methods and standards.
• Basic rules and regulations regarding social services, and Welfare and Institutions Codes, including both adult and child services areas.
• Specific laws, rules and regulations impacting area of assignment.
• Basic methods and standards involved in caring for the physically and/or mentally ill or disabled, including physically or sexually abused children.
• Basic instructional methods and techniques.
• Computers and specialized software used in the work.

Skill in

• Identifying and understanding reactions of individuals.
• Identifying problems, developing and recommending options, and implementing solutions, as appropriate.
• Recognizing and reporting specific indications of need for social services.
• Understanding and accepting differences in human behavior resulting from cultural, economic or other forms of deprivation.

Mental and Physical Abilities

• Understand and apply principles and processes for providing client services.
• Interview others to obtain a variety of information applicable to the provision of social services.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and relay information to other employees, clients and service providers.
• Understand and accept differences in human behavior resulting from diverse cultural, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Effectively instruct physically and mentally handicapped adults in parenting and household skills.
• Prepare written reports.
• Recognize and report specific indication of need for social services.
• Work effectively in emotionally charged or stressful setting/emergencies, which may include interacting with physically and sexually abused children.
• Deal with the more complex cases.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Examination Process

All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing

The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at [phone]. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements

Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I‑9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer