Social Worker III (Special Services) - Lihue, Kauai

Hawai`i State Judiciary Careers; Hawaii; On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawaii State Judiciary is seeking a Social Worker III (Special Services) in Lihue, Kauai. The role supports Kids First, Guardianship/Conservator, Restitution, Community Service Work, and CASA, handling diverse cases and performing field visits and reports. On-site only; a valid driver’s license is required.

Recruitment contact provided for applications. The position is focused on special services within the Fifth Circuit, requiring strong professional judgment and collaboration with other

Qualifications

• One and one-half (1-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional social work experience involving assessment, planning, and collaboration with professionals.
• A bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for higher level Social Worker roles or requires additional experience.
• A master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for higher level roles or more experience.
• A Ph.D. in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for advanced social worker roles or additional experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently handles the full range of cases from simple to complex, including CASA, restitution, and community service.
• Monitors compliance, communicates with victims and guardians, conducts field and home visits, and prepares reports.

Job description

Position Specific Description

Recruitment Number 26-231LM, Social Worker III (Special Services), SR-20, Lihue, Kauai.

Working as a Social Worker with the Judiciary provides you with opportunities to contribute to public welfare and safety. The Judiciary employs social workers in various programs throughout the courts. Duties are program-specific and can be diverse, as are the clients, creating an opportunity to develop and practice a broad range of skills. Our social work professionals are committed to enhancing the profession by utilizing evidence-based practices informed by current research to promote client behavioral changes and improve outcomes. The Judiciary may be an excellent choice for those who embrace collaborative casework and seek opportunities to be part of the solution to complex social issues.

Note: This position is based on-site and requires the employee to work in person at the designated work location. Telework and remote work options are not available.

This position requires a current valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.

Summary Of Duties

This position is assigned to the Special Services Division of the Fifth Circuit and supports programs including Kids First, Guardianship/Conservator, Restitution, Community Service Work, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). The position independently handles the full range of cases, from simple and routine to difficult and complex, including community service, restitution, and CASA matters; monitors compliance; communicates with victims and guardians; conducts field and home visits; carries CASA cases; and prepares correspondence and reports. The position also administers the Kids First program, assists higher-level Social Workers with CASA recruitment and training, and assists with the review of invoices and referrals for contracts and grants.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education Requirement:

Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor’s degree which included a minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours in courses such as social work, social welfare, criminal justice, human services, counseling, psychology, sociology, or other related social sciences.

Excess work experience as described under Specialized Experience below, or any other responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge and abilities.

The education or experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.

Specialized Experience:

One and one-half (1-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional social work experience which involved utilizing a variety of social work skills and exercising professional judgement in the process of assisting individuals and their families with identifying their problems, evaluating the situation realistically, and considering resources and alternative courses of action pertinent to their needs and circumstances.

The work typically involves conducting assessments; developing and implementing a plan of treatment programs and services; working cooperatively with other professionals, community agencies or institutions, in an interdisciplinary team; and evaluating the client’s progress and adjusting plans as appropriate.

Substitution Allowed

• A bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited four (4) year college or university qualifies for Social Worker II or six (6) months of experience.
• A master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited college or university qualifies for Social Worker III or one and one-half (1-1/2) years of experience.
• A Ph.D. degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited college or university qualifies for Social Worker IV or two and one-half (2-1/2) years of experience.

Non-Qualifying Experience:

Experience which did not provide the necessary professional social work concepts and theories and the background and knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of professional social work will not be considered as qualifying experience. Examples of non-qualifying experience include, but are not limited to:

• Experience providing supportive services to professional social workers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, housing managers, or other professional workers in such programs as public welfare, family court, etc.
• Experience determining the eligibility of applicants/recipients for benefits under a public welfare program such as medical assistance, food stamps and other benefits.
• Experience providing vocational, educational, psychological, or pastoral counseling.
• Experience providing occupational or physical therapeutic services.
• Peace Corps or VISTA work experience which did not require the application of professional knowledge of the principles and practices of social work and/or was not performed under competent professional supervision.
• Experience relocating clients who are displaced as a result of urban renewal or other similar reasons.
• Trainee level type social work experience will not be considered qualifying unless work is performed under competent professional social work supervision.

Selective Certification Requirement - Driver's License:

For this position, applicants must possess a current and valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle.

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Requirement (28 CFR 115.17, 115.117, 115.217 and 115.317)

• Has engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility or other institution;
• Has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse;
• Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in b above; or
• Has been the subject of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment, or resigned during a pending investigation of alleged sexual abuse or sexual harassment.

Supplemental Information

Any additional information may be attached to your online application, submitted by email to [e-mail], or mailed to the following address: Hawaii State Judiciary, Human Resources Department, 426 Queen Street, First Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

Education:

If you are using education as a substitution for experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) or diploma(s) at the time of application. If you are selected for a position, we will request an official transcript (not a copy) at a later date. The official transcript must indicate completion of the training and/or the awarding of the appropriate degree.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Applicants who will graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration may apply within three months prior to graduation. If you are selected, we will need an original official transcript (not a copy) indicating the completion of the required coursework and the awarding of the degree.

For other important information about the Merit or Civil Service System, Citizenship and Residency requirements, Accommodations, Veterans Preference, Examination process, Administrative Review, and more.