Social Services Practitioner III; COR

About the job Social Services Practitioner III (COR)

We are looking for someone who has:

• Excellent interpersonal skills when working with diverse clients of various ages, socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, and mental/physical capabilities
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with other professionals in order to meet the needs of shared clients and promote quality care, safety, and well-being
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge and ability to learn and apply complex laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to clients
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, organizational, and time management skills
• Tech‑savvy skills and the ability to learn and use specialized case‑management software programs

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Opportunity to compassionately support children, elders/dependent adults and families
• It’s more than a desk job – travel throughout the vast County of Riverside to meet with clients and community partners
• Work and network with dedicated professionals who share a passion for public service
• Career growth and upward mobility within the department
• Supportive and respectful working environment that values work‑life balance

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Fast‑paced environment
• Meeting mandated deadlines
• The need for documentation and technical writing
• Identifying ways to navigate social service delivery with limited resources while meeting clients' identified goals and needs

Job Description

The Social Services Practitioner III is a broad‑range journey to an advanced‑level classification of the professionally trained social caseworker in the Social Services Practitioner series. Incumbents are characterized by the responsibility for performing full‑scope social service casework often requiring difficult diagnosis and intensive treatment services. The Social Services Practitioner III is distinguished from the Social Services Supervisor series by the latter’s responsibility to provide full‑time supervision of staff performing casework.

Depending on the area of assignment, incumbents may be required to have a master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, social welfare, social or behavioral sciences, or social/human services.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Carry a caseload of the more difficult types of social service cases requiring a high degree of technical competence where social or family problems or environmental forces adversely affect family life; assess client's problems and develop treatment plans.
• Complete case studies for the purpose of assessing problems and determining appropriate types and methods of treatment; develop intensive long‑ or short‑term treatment plans to improve or restore individual or family functioning.
• Act in a lead capacity for a small group of Social Services Practitioners or services employees, such as aides and volunteers.
• Act as a casework consultant to staff members without professional training.
• Function at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, protective services, medical social work, family services, community organization, and adoptive services.
• Take part in staff development programs to increase knowledge of the social work processes and augment personal technical competence.
• Provide therapeutic marital, family inter‑relationship, and adoptive parent counseling.
• Investigate and provide services to clients where their physical or emotional welfare is involved; work with cases involving neglect, abuse, emotional or behavioral problems, physical/mental disabilities or other health conditions affecting a client's personality, family relationships, child, or in‑home care arrangements.
• Provide services and counseling in cases of desertion or impending loss of a spouse, child, or caretaker.
• Interpret public social service rules, regulations, and policies to clients and the public.
• Maintain casework records and prepare reports and correspondences.
• Frequently conduct field visits, away from the home office, which may include long distances in order to carry out service plans, observe, and assess client needs, and provide information and social work services.
• Assess client family…