Social Worker IV; Public Guardian - Kauai

Position: Social Worker IV (Public Guardian) - Kauai
Recruitment Number 26-103LJ, Social Worker IV (Public Guardian), SR-22*, Kauai.

* Hourly rate effective July 1, 2026.

Note:

This position is a permanent, part-time (20 hours per week) position.  This position requires a current and valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle.

This position provides guardianship and case management services for incapacitated adults under the supervision of the Office of the Public Guardian. Responsibilities include conducting interviews and assessments to determine client needs; monitoring the health, safety, and welfare of wards; making decisions regarding care and services; developing and monitoring treatment plans; and coordinating with case managers, service providers, and community agencies to ensure appropriate support and resources are provided.

The position attends and testifies in court proceedings, prepares and submits guardianship reports, provides information, consultation, and referrals regarding guardianship matters, and assists in maintaining collaborative relationships with courts, attorneys, service providers, and community organizations. Additional duties include supervising social work interns and volunteers, conducting training and educational outreach on guardianship issues, and maintaining accurate case documentation and records. Assigned cases are primarily located on Kauai but may include responsibilities on neighboring islands as needed.

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:

Two and one-half (2-1/2) 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.

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:

(1) 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.

(2) Experience determining the eligibility of applicants/recipients for benefits under a public welfare program such as medical assistance, food stamps and other benefits.

(3) Experience providing vocational, educational, psychological, or pastoral counseling.

(4) Experience providing occupational or physical therapeutic…