Social Worker II

Contra Costa County; California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefit options

Career growth opportunities

Supportive work environment

Job summary

A county government agency in California is seeking a qualified Social Worker II to support individuals and families facing challenges such as abuse and neglect. The role involves case management, collaboration with professionals, and potential for promotion to Social Worker III. Candidates should have a Master's degree in social work or a related field and a valid California driver's license. Join a team making a significant difference in the community while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, sociology, counseling, or psychology.
• Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.
• Experience working with diverse clients and in challenging environments.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with individuals or families with complex issues including abuse and neglect.
• Conduct investigations and provide case management services.
• Collaborate with other professionals and community partners.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Tech-savvy

Education

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

Social Worker II – Local 1021 (Social Services Rank & File Unit)

Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you want to make a difference in people’s lives? Come join a team committed to helping individuals and families live their best lives!

Social Worker II vacancies are available with the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) and the Contra Costa County Public Defender’s Office.

Assignments in the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD)

The Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) is recruiting to fill Social Worker II vacancies within Aging and Adult Services, Children and Family Services, and Whole Person Care Community Connect. This position will be assigned complex and specialized caseloads which require professional skills gained through graduate studies or extensive on‑the‑job training. In this position, you will be working directly with individuals or entire family systems with challenging dynamics that include abuse and/or neglect with the goal of preserving or restoring baseline functioning for the identified client system.

If assigned to the Children and Family Services Bureau, you will work in the areas of Abuse/Neglect Investigations, Case Management, Juvenile Court, Out‑of‑Home Placements, Family Reunification/Maintenance, Independent Living Program, Foster Home Licensing and Adoptions. If assigned to Adult Protective Services, you will be responsible for investigating and mitigating abuse and neglect of elderly and dependent adults. If assigned to Whole Person Care CommunityConnect, you will be responsible for providing case management and care coordination for enrolled clients served by the County Health Care System.

A bilingual differential is available for positions and incumbents designated as bilingual and meeting the qualifications. The Social Worker II position is a flexibly‑staffed position that offers a promotional opportunity to the Social Worker III class when all the minimum qualifications are met. Applicants interested in the Social Worker III recruitment must complete and submit a separate application.

Contra Costa County offers a wide range of competitive benefit options to meet the needs of our diverse workforce and their families. For general county benefits information, visit our Benefits page at https://www.cccounty.us/hr/Benefits.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Has:

• Knowledge and ability to learn and apply complex laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to clients
• Strong analytical, organizational and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills when working with diverse clients of various ages, socio‑economic backgrounds, cultures, and mental and/or physical capabilities
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with other professionals in order to meet the needs of a shared client
• Great communication skills
• Tech‑savvy skills and ability to learn and use specialized software programs

Reasons You Might Love The Job

• Opportunity to compassionately support children, elders/dependent adults and families
• It’s more than a desk job! Travel throughout the beautiful East Bay and neighboring counties to meet with clients and community partners
• Work and network with dedicated professionals who share the same passion for public service
• Career growth and upward mobility within the department
• Supportive and respectful working environment that values work‑life balance

Challenges You Might Face

• Fast‑paced environment
• Meeting mandated deadlines (such as court)
• Identifying ways to navigate limited resources and services while still meeting clients’ identified goals and needs
• Keeping up with many changing State mandates and policies

Assignments in the Public Defenders Office

Come join the Contra Costa Public Defenders (CCPD) Office and be part of an interdisciplinary team that utilizes a holistic approach to ensure justice and help achieve the best possible outcome for adults and juveniles charged with crimes.

CCPD Social workers assist staff attorneys in their representation of our clients in a variety of ways, including:

• Writing biopsychosocial reports and assessments of clients
• Identifying available social services in the community and connecting clients with those services
• Identifying issues of concern that may have led the person to involvement in the criminal justice system
• Developing plans to help people reintegrate with their communities after incarceration
• Advocating for community‑based solutions as alternatives to custody

We Are Looking For Someone Who Has:

• The ability to work well with persons from diverse backgrounds and socio‑economic statuses
• An understanding of the role of the public defender in advocating for indigent persons accused of crimes
• Great communications skills, oral and written
• The ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, https://www.cccounty.us/hr.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out‑of‑State valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, sociology, counseling or psychology, with a specialization in marriage, family and children or in a major within the social/human services field.

Substitution for Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in psychology, sociology, social welfare or a closely related field and three (3) years of full‑time or its equivalent experience as either a social caseworker in a public or private human services agency or as a Deputy Probation Officer performing juvenile investigations or supervision may be substituted for the required education.

All applicants must include official or unofficial college or university transcripts, or a copy of their degree. Applicants who have attended a foreign or non‑U.S. accredited university or college must provide proof of education evaluation completed by a service affiliated with the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services (NACES) with transcripts. All supporting documents must be provided at the time of application submission.

Selection Process

• Application Filing: All applicants must apply online at https://www.cccounty.us/hr and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement by the final filing date.
• Application Evaluation: Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be convened to evaluate and select the best‑qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.
• Written Examination: May include multiple‑choice questions, writing proficiency test, and scenario‑based competency/behavioral questions. Test items may consist of the following assessment categories: Assessment, Interpersonal, Interpreting Policies and Procedure, Investigative, Psycho‑Social, and Written Communication. (Weighted 100%).

If you apply for another recruitment that uses this exam and the test is scheduled within 6 months of the date you took the test this time, you will not have the option to re‑take the exam.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

Conviction History

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

Disaster Service Worker

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker‑related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.