Social Worker II - Department of Family and Children Services; DFCS

Under general supervision, assesses client needs and develops treatment plans in a variety of social service functions. Social Worker II positions in the Social Services Agency, Department of Family and Children’s Services work in assignments connected to child safety, well‑being and permanency. Duties may include receiving and making reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect; assessing and investigating allegations of abuse and/or neglect;

developing appropriate interventions; providing referrals for services; monitoring services for children and parents; removing children from unsafe environments; providing case management services; preparing documentation, case plans, safety plans, court reports and other legal documents; providing testimony in court; assessing potential caregivers; placing children into appropriate homes; conducting home visits; and addressing issues specific to the child and families such as substance abuse, intimate partner violence, mental health issues, sexual abuse, parenting, developmental issues, immigration, and psycho‑social‑emotional‑behavioral issues.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. The Department of Family and Children’s Services values language abilities in Vietnamese, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, ASL, among others. If you speak a second language fluently, please specify that on your application. Candidates must pass a Level II language fluency examination for the specified language.

New hires into the Social Worker II or III classifications may be eligible for a sign‑on bonus of up to $5,000, subject to discontinuation at any time.

• Paid differentials for bilingual and assignment duties.
• Social Worker II assigned to Emergency Response receives a 9% differential above the base salary; other Social Worker II receive a 6% differential.

• Assess client problems, develop treatment plans, and follow each case through to solution.
• Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of dependent and elder adults; investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of minors; determine if removal of a child from the home is necessary.
• Consult, refer cases, and work actively with other agencies and community groups, legal and medical professionals.
• Establish and maintain effective case‑work relationships.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Manage a caseload accountably.
• Prepare case records, documents, reports and correspondence in a timely manner.
• Interpret rules, regulations, policies and programs for clients and the public.
• Maintain a listing of community resources and assist clients to utilize them.
• Develop case plans, court reports and related legal documents.
• Evaluate compliance with court orders.
• Testify in court and respond to inquiries regarding court actions.
• Conduct field visits to evaluate compliance with court orders.
• Recruit applicants for foster care and adoption.
• Evaluate suitability of adoptive and foster placements and finalize adoptions.
• Transport clients within, out of county, out of state, and out of country as necessary.
• May testify in administrative hearings.
• Assist in developing and using community resources appropriately.
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker as required.
• Perform related work as required.

• Evaluate and assess yearly service needs based on Medical, Medicare and SSI eligibility.
• Conduct yearly reevaluation field visits for clients' service needs.
• Assess and authorize new applicants.
• Consult, refer, and work actively with agencies, community groups, and fair hearing officers.
• Conduct field visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and community care facilities as needed.

• Determine degree of danger and risk of future abuse and neglect and evaluate child and family's needs for services.
• Recruit applicants for foster care and adoption.
• Evaluate suitability of adoptive and foster placements and finalize adoptions.

• Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work or a related field (Behavioral Science, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nursing, Psychology, Social Psychology, Vocational Rehabilitation) preferred.
• Two (2) years…