Social Services Worker I - Visalia, United States - Tulare County, CA

Description

Salary : $42, $51,520.00 Annually

Location : Visalia, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: A

Department: Health and Human Services Agency

Opening Date: 05/11/2024

Closing Date: 5/21/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health & Human Services Agency. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health & Human Services Agency located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Spanish bilingual designated positions are entitled to an additional $.63 (cents) per hour. A Spanish proficiency exam will be required. Applicants must be fluent in the ability to read, write and speak in the Spanish language as well as in English.

This position will receive a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment effective 6/30/2024.

Typical Duties

Manage a case load which includes cases of moderate difficulty involving basic types of social service problems; interview clients to ascertain the nature of their problems, determine social service needs, develop service plans, and carry out basic social service treatment plans; assist applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources for their needs; interpret policies, rules and regulations of the department to clients and others; make home calls in connection with case work assignments; prepare and maintain case records; refer clients to other social service agencies; participate in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve program and technical competence; receive casework consultation from professionally trained staff members; transport clients to appointments, community resources or agencies; may provide clients with training in the areas of parenting techniques, housekeeping skills, money management, self- care and hygiene; may conduct home evaluations for possible placement of children; prepare memos, letters, reports and case narratives; essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Equivalent to completion of two (2) years of college level study in the behavioral or social sciences or a closely related field OR directly related program specific experience may be substituted on a ratio of one (1) year specific experience equivalent to one (1) year of education.

Experience: One (1) year of experience involving interviewing and counseling in a social services environment OR additional years of college level study may be substituted for the direct program experience on a year-for- year basis.

Knowledge of: Basic social service principles and practices; counseling methods and techniques; interviewing methods and techniques; basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Skill/Ability to: Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; interview and counsel clients to obtain information and assist with problem solving; research and define problems, collect information, organize and analyze material, draw valid conclusions and formulate recommendations; negotiate with clients, establish goals and objectives and come to an agreement on a plan of action for resolving their problems; manage a caseload; read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; write clear, concise and grammatically correct case narratives, reports, records and correspondence; follow verbal and written instructions and seek guidance when appropriate; retain and recall information; adjust to changes in workload, coordinate work with others and work under stress of meeting deadlines; organize work in a step-by-step order; establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with others; use patience, tact and courtesy in dealing with people under various circumstances and under emotional stress; keep systematic and accurate records; maintain confidentiality of all information and materials; work under stressful situations.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of: Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations; dynamics of child abuse and neglect; problems faced by the aged and dependent adults; problems faced by the long term unemployed.

Skill/Ability to: Speak, read and write Spanish, Hmong or other client language; plan, organize and make effective presentations.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit:

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 4

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

01

The following questions measure necessary employment standards for this position. You must respond to all of these questions to be considered for this position.This recruitment is for a Spanish Bilingual designated position. To be considered for Spanish Bilingual positions you must be fluent in your ability to read, speak and write in Spanish as well as English. Do you possess the ability to read, speak and write in Spanish as well as English? (A proficiency exam may be given)

• Yes
• No

02

Describe your experience in interviewing and counseling clients. Indicate your specific responsibilities in negotiating with clients, establishing goals and objectives, and coming to an agreement on an action plan for resolving problems.

03

Describe your training and experience in writing narratives, reports, records, and correspondence. Indicate the purpose and frequency prepared.

04

List the community organizations and service groups you have a working knowledge of and indicate how you have utilized their services to assist clients.

05

Describe your experience with computers, data entry programs, and any programs specific software, including the level of proficiency and how these were utilized to perform your duties.

06

The following question measures desirable employment standards. It is not necessary to answer this question to apply for this position; however, those that answer may be considered more qualified and may be given first consideration.Describe your experience in managing a caseload. Include in your response your specific responsibilities and size of caseload.

Required Question