Social Worker IV-A - Los Banos, United States - Merit System Services

Description

Salary: $2, $3,254.40 Biweekly

Location : Merced Los Banos or Atwater

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: MSS04356

Department: Merced County Human Services Agency

Opening Date: 03/25/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Position Information

Under general direction, the Social Worker IV A/B performs casework of an advanced nature dealing with complex individual and family problems; undertakes intensive treatment plans and counseling requiring professional knowledge and training; performs other related work as assigned.

Social Worker IV A/B requires a Master's degree and social work case management experience in a public or private social services agency. This is the highest non-supervisory level in the series. Incumbents perform casework requiring the application of high level and sophisticated social services expertise and techniques, generally in areas such as adult and child protective services.

The MQ patterns of the SW IV-B mirror the patterns for the SW IV-A. The distinguishing difference is that the SW IV-B requires one additional year of experience from what is required for the SW IV-A.

Social Worker IV differs from the next higher class of Social Worker Supervisor I in that the latter is the first supervisory level. Social Worker IV differs from Social Worker III in that the latter does not require both a Master's degree and qualifying experience.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED
Social Worker IV A/B receives supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor or other higher-level supervisor or manager pursuant to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) Division 31 regulations A Social Worker IV A/B may provide lead direction to lower level Social Workers or service employees.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs case studies for the purpose of assessing problems and determining appropriate types and methods of treatment.
• Develops intensive long or short-term treatment plans, which require a comprehensive fund of professional knowledge with the aim of improving or restoring individual or family functioning.
• Ensures all services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive and appropriate manner and
• Acts as a casework consultant to staff members without professional training.
• Functions at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, protective services, medical social work, family services, community organization and research.
• May perform the following specific types of counseling: marital, family inter-relationship, protective services for children or adults incapable of self-care.
• Investigates and provides services to children where their physical or emotional welfare is involved such as cases of neglect, abuse, emotional or behavioral problems, physical or mental disabilities, or other health conditions involving a child's personality; unmarried parenthood; conflict in parent-child relationships; lack of proper guardianship of a child; problems in school or community relationships; inadequate child care arrangements by working parents or the absence of one parent from the home and its effects on the stability of the child's home.
• Receives reports of children, dependent adults and elderly abuse; investigates allegations by conducting interviews with victims and others; assesses situations to protect vulnerable adults and children and recommends, implements and monitors alternate placement, may remove children from unsafe situations; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may be required to work on-call; may testify in court; supports witnesses and victims who must testify in court.
• Assesses prospective foster and adoptive parents; matches children with adoptive/foster parents, and counsels foster and adoptive families.
• Refers clients to other staff members
• Coordinates and directly monitors family visitations to assess progress toward the case plan goals.
• Interprets and explains rules, regulations and policies to clients and applicants.
• Maintains casework records and handles relevant correspondence.
• Develops and prepares court report, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systems.
• Operates a personal computer and other office equipment; enters and retrieves data and narratives from automated computer systems.
• Prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations, and case plans to clients, families, and service providers.
• Communicates effectively with clients and others in writing, in person, and over the telephone.
• Analyzes data, interprets directions, procedures and regulations, and develops appropriate responses.
• Performs job duties under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Responds appropriately to situations.
• Maintains confidential information 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.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of organization, workload management, and time management.
• Principles and practices of note taking, report writing, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Phone etiquette and interview techniques.
• Principles and practices of counseling, bio-psychosocial assessments and therapy
• Physical and mental health principles and the impact on the personality.
• Local socio-economic conditions, trends, and current problems and methodology in the field of public social services.
• Basic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording the social casework.
• Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency and the role and responsibilities of a social worker.
• Community organizations and social problems calling for the use of public and private community resources.
• Basic principles involved in the nature, growth and development of personality, and in-group processes.
• Basic principles of individual and group behavior.
• Current issues in the field of social welfare.
• Principles of analysis and problem-solving methodology.
• Basic public welfare programs on the Federal, State, and local level.
• General principles of public assistance policies and programs.
• Medical, legal, economic, and social management needs of individuals and families with special medical needs such as HIV disease, drug dependency, the medically fragile child, Alzheimer's, and the terminally ill.
• Strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the potential for suicide.
• Psychopathology, the different types of mental illness diagnoses, how mental illness affects human behavior and mental health services and treatments utilized by clients.
• Signs, stages and dynamics of abuse, and the effects of abuse on child/adult development and behavior.
• Signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug use/abuse in adults and children and the effects on families.
• Standards for maintaining clients safely in home; options for placement; effects of removing clients from unsafe situations.

Ability to:

• Apply the principles of child psychology and family relationships.
• Evaluate personal psychological factors in the child and/or family's situation.
• Recognize signs of abuse for children, the elderly and dependent adults; assess risk factors and potential dangers to clients.
• Act effectively in stressful situations.
• Demonstrate skill in the more difficult casework areas.
• Accept and use consultative supervision.
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Apply existing laws, rules and regulations to welfare department operations and interpret and explain to the applicant, recipient, or others public social services programs, policies, rules and regulations.
• Develop skill in interviewing, case recording and interpretation.
• Interact professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, or distressed clients.
• Respect cultural differences.
• Work constructively within a community setting and effectively use appropriate resources and services.
• Understand and learn the agency programs, policy and procedures.
• Obtain and recognize relevant and significant facts.
• Organize and maintain work detail.
• Relate and work well with agency staff, clients, and others.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain client rapport on an individual basis.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
• Use computers and related software.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff, clients, and outside organizations.

Essential Functions:

• Operate a personal computer and other modern office equipment, including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Frequently sit for extended periods.
• Frequently operate a motor vehicle.
• Occasionally lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information 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.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates who are within six months of satisfying the education requirement for this classification will be admitted to the examination, but they must complete the education requirement and provide evidence of graduation prior to appointment.

Social Worker IV A
Pattern 1: A master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university;

OR

Pattern 2: A master's degree from an accredited two (2) year counseling program*;

*Qualifying counseling degrees from a two (2) year counseling program includes: Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Gerontology, Counseling Psychology.

OR

Pattern 3: One (1) year of full-time experience performing advanced journey (equivalent to a MSS SW III) level social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency and master's degree in social or behavioral science, psychology, anthropology, sociology and counseling education.

Social Worker IV B (This level is for candidates with a master's degree and experience. Experience during an internship does not count at this level).
Pattern 1: A master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of full-time experience performing social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency;

OR

Pattern 2: A master's degree from an accredited college or university two (2) year counseling program* and one (1) year of full-time experience performing social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency;

*Qualifying counseling degrees from a two (2) year counseling program includes: Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Gerontology, Counseling Psychology.

OR

Pattern 3: Two (2) years of full-time experience performing advanced journey (equivalent to a MSS SW III) level social work case management as a Social Worker in a public or private agency and master's degree in social or behavioral science, psychology, anthropology, sociology and counseling education

Supplemental Information

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%

The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.

Examination administration and processing time is approximately every two weeks beginning on April 1, 2024.

SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTSSpecial testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHRat or upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTSIf you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

GENERAL INFORMATION

MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.

If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENT

Some positions in this classification may require possession of a California driver license.

Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County. Eligibility for employment for those who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on case-by-case basis by the appointing authority.

VETERANS PREFERENCE
If you would like to have Veteran's preference points included as part of the application packet, please attach a copy of your DD-214 form.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants, who receive a passing score on a written or oral examination, shall be eligible to receive credit for an additional five (5) points to be added to the final examination score. Veteran's preference is allowed only on initial entrance into County service and shall not affect the order of eligibility on any other employment lists.

For the purpose of this section, a veteran is one who has received an honorable discharge from active duty, and has served:

1. During one of the following wartime or equivalent periods:

• Sept. 11, 2001 to End of Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Aug. 2, 1990 to Jan. 2, 1992
• Jan. 31, 1955 to Oct. 15, 1976

2. During peacetime for which service a campaign or expeditionary medal has been authorized by the Government of the United States and where discharge was under honorable conditions. This would include Lebanon, Grenada and Southwest Asia.

A copy of the discharge form (DD-214) shall be submitted to CalHR MSS for each position applied for, along with an application for employment requesting such preference, on or before the final filing date specified on the job announcement. Failure to submit the required credentials (DD-214) prior to the final filing date will be deemed a waiver of credits.

ABOUT MERCED COUNTY
Merced County is located in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley in central California, an area earning worldwide acclaim for its rich agriculture, and spans from the coastal ranges to the foothills of Yosemite National Park. The City of Merced, the self-proclaimed Gateway to Yosemite, has a population of approximately 81,102, yet retains the charm of a small town with amenities routinely found in larger communities. Merced's revitalized downtown is emerging as the entertainment center of the area. The County is representative of the rural heartland and Gold Rush remnants underpinning the state's heritage. It is a peaceful, quiet, and friendly area with an abundance of beautiful bike paths and offers choices of higher education in UC Merced and Merced College.

Merit System Services does not negotiate or determine the benefits or salaries for positions offered by its partners. For more information about benefits or salaries, please visit the listed county or child support office's website or contact their human resources department.

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This recruitment will be used to fill both full-time and extra-help positions. Please indicate which types of work you would be willing to accept:

• Full-Time
• Extra-Help

Required Question