Social Worker I

The salary listed reflects the salary increase effective August 2, 2026.

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions in a variety of locations throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

The current vacancy is within Adult & Aging Services - IHSS in Ukiah.

Under close supervision in a learning capacity, performs basic social services casework; identifies client needs for more intensive casework services and provides referrals; manages a caseload of increasingly difficult cases; and performs other related work as assigned. Typical assignments are within child welfare and adult services programs.

The Social Worker series provides an excellent career path for those interested in pursuing a career with the County of Mendocino.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply.

Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Earn your AA, BSW, or MSW with Title IV-E funding—MCDSS employees may qualify for educational assistance. Learn more here.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts interviews with clients, family members, and others in their home/field, in the office, or via telephone to assess the basic social, physical and mental needs of clients and obtain health information in order to identify and provide social services. Performs case studies and evaluates individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determines appropriate types and methods of treatment.
• Receives reports of suspected abuse/neglect; investigates allegations by conducting interviews with victims and others; assesses situations and recommends, implements and monitors alternate placement; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may testify in court.
• Maintains confidential information and client confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
• Develops and carries out culturally sensitive service plans for an assigned caseload in conformance with agency, state and federal requirements; assists clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish service plan goals.
• Refers clients to other staff members or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary.
• Advocates on clients' behalf for appropriate services. Assists applicants and clients in utilizing available resources, including assisting in completing paperwork and accompanying clients to appointments.
• Interprets policies, rules, and regulations of the agency to clients, applicants and others within the scope of responsibility.
• Makes home visits in connection with casework assignments.
• Prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations and service plans to clients, families and service providers.
• Develops and prepares court reports, service plans, case narratives and safety plans in computer systems.
• Coordinates and directly monitors family visitations to assess progress toward the service plan goals.
• Participates in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work practices and achieve technical proficiency.
• Develops, coordinates and may facilitate a team of professionals and natural supports working with clients to achieve client goals.
• Provides community outreach for various agency programs.
• Counsels or supports clients with complex or specialized needs; provides crisis intervention.
• Provides self-help information, education, and services; works with clients and caregivers to develop and improve caregiving and independent living skills.
• Obtains and evaluates law enforcement, medical, and psychological reports.
• Enter and retrieves data and narratives from computer systems.
• Performs…