Social Worker; Invest​/Assess & In Home Services

THIS RECRUITMENT IS A CONTINUOUS OPENING AND WILL BE USED TO FILL POSITIONS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.

In this role, you would investigate and assess the needs of children involved in reports of alleged abuse, neglect and/or dependency. You would also be responsible for engaging the family to formulate a plan to alleviate any identified risk factors. This position may require after hours (after5pm) and weekend work as needed.

In this role, you would provide in‑home intervention to families where abuse, neglect, and/or dependency was substantiated, or the family was determined to need services to prevent children from being taken into custody, reduce risk, and alleviate wellbeing concerns. This position may require after hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.

Hiring range for this position is $57,657.60 - $68,972.80. Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile. Pay grade for this position is 21.

Performs difficult professional work providing protective, investigative, counseling and case management services for children who are at risk for or have been determined to be abused and/or neglected in the County Department of Social Services. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Social Work Supervisor III.

Providing social work services including intervention and immediate response to crisis situations for at‑risk children in the most complex cases in the department; investigating and substantiating the alleged neglect and abuse, providing expert testimony in court hearings, assessing and evaluating child(ren)’s needs, making case decisions and judgments that impact the life and safety of children, developing service plans and goals and following up with case management, treatment referrals and preventive services;

managing an investigations or in‑home services caseload; preparing detailed and complex court summaries and reports; maintaining records, files and confidentiality.

• Analyzes situations and determines appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions.
• May provide group, family or individual counseling and education to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problem.
• Assesses individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement in foster care or residential facilities.
• Exercises considerable judgment in determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred, to what extent and how it occurred, assessing initial safety and devising on‑going Safety Plans with families as prescribed by federal and state guidelines.
• Interviews the child, family, and collateral contacts. Collects background information.
• Gathers and shares information to determine the extent of abuse or neglect, to provide counseling, to arrange for services and to provide expert opinions to legal counsel.
• Implements the Initial Services Plan or In‑Home Services plan including education and counseling with client, providing direct services according to the service plan, assessing changes and time limits, and making necessary referrals.
• Decides modality of counseling in conjunction with mental health experts and uses both individual and family counseling. Provides some behavior modification counseling.
• Monitors client's use of services and progress of the family at least monthly if not more often and writes a case plan with families each time changes in placement or goals occur.
• Engages families, family support systems and community partners in Child and Family Team meetings to engage all parties in providing information regarding the family's progress or lack of progress, identification of on‑going safety needs and obtain input regarding further case planning efforts and goals.
• Offers consultation to foster parents and group home staff.
• Travels to homes, schools, health and mental health facilities, and other service agencies.
• Attends case conferences and staffing with legal, court personnel, and other Department of Social…