Child Welfare Worker II

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN ---       

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN OPEN-CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION.  IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY APPLIED FOR THE CHILD WELFARE WORKER II (17-6745-01) READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.    

The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you are currently on the list and you choose to reapply you will forfeit your current rank and score. Your new score/disposition will replace your current score and rank. In order to reapply for this position, please contact the examination analyst at ione.bell@acgov.org to have your previous application released back to you.  

The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. 

THIS IS A OPEN-CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.  Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing deadline, June 7, 2017.  Applications will only be accepted online. 

--- PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN --- 

It includes information regarding college transcripts and steps applicants must take outside of the online application process.   

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT 

All candidates must present a copy of transcripts or unofficial transcripts which notes the number of units and field practicum obtained for the graduate degree.  The copy must be submitted at the time of the oral examination. If the transcript does not clearly indicate degree requirements are met, a letter from an accredited college or university stating graduation requirements are met will be required.   

Applicants who fail to provide sufficient proof of their graduate degree will be disqualified. 

*Official college transcripts (issued directly from the college registrar) will be required no more than 30 days after your initial appointment. Initial appointments are expected in September 2017.  Official transcripts may be mailed directly to the Social Services Agency, Human Resources, 2000 San Pablo Avenue, Suite 420, Oakland, CA 94612. 

Note:  Qualified bilingual persons who speak English and are also fluent in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Korean, Mien, Tagalog, Amharic, Farsi, Dari, Tigrigna, Russian, Romanian or Sign Language are especially encouraged to apply.  There is an additional bi-weekly compensation for persons in positions designated bilingual.  Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.

DESCRIPTION

Child Welfare Worker II's in Alameda County provide intensive assessment, case management and/or casework services directed toward providing the most stable home environment for children who have been or are in danger of being abused, neglected or abandoned; and to perform related duties as required.  These positions are located exclusively in the Social Services Agency, primarily in the Department of Children and Family Services.  Child Welfare Worker II's perform social casework of an advanced nature for children and families, dealing with complex problems under the time limitations and responsibility imposed by court action. Positions in the Child Welfare series are found exclusively in the Social Services Agency, primarily in the Department of Children and Family Services.    

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE  

The ideal candidates for the position of Child Welfare Worker must possess knowledge of the laws and principles related to child welfare. They must possess a broad knowledge and understanding of normal child development and how trauma impacts the developmental process. The successful candidates will have the skill and ability to conduct client interviews, assessment and crisis intervention activities. They will understand normal family functioning and how this functioning is impacted by trauma and loss.  Incumbents in the position will exercise sound judgment in making diagnostic risk assessments and decisions regarding placement of children and handle high-pressure, crisis situations professionally and be able to extract appropriate information during such situations. They must be able to work with a variety of individuals with varying degrees of mental health functioning, literacy, coping abilities and life skills. They must have the ability to understand the role of the Agency in the treatment plan and the Social Services Agency's policies, procedures, programs and services and be able to articulate this understanding to their clients.

In addition, the ideal candidate must possess the following: knowledge of community resources,

• the ability to set limits to assist clients in taking steps toward greater self-sufficiency,
• the ability to write clear, concise and descriptive reports under time restraints,
• strong written and verbal communication skills,
• the ability to work well under pressure and display sound time management techniques,
• an appreciation for diversity.   

For a detailed listing of the Child Welfare Worker II  duties and essential competency requirements, please click on the link to see the complete job description.  

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience as a Child Welfare Worker I in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts),

AND

Recommendation for promotion based on recent performance evaluations.

Or II
Education:

Possession of a Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work, which included a supervised field placement providing social casework and counseling services to individuals and families.

Or III
Education:

Possession of a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, or Clinical Psychology, Sociology, Education or an equivalent field (Vocational Rehabilitation majors not acceptable).

AND
Experience:

Satisfactory completion of two semesters of supervised field work in an agency involved in the provision of direct services to families or children in one of the following or closely related areas: child welfare, family counseling, juvenile probation, pediatric social work, alcohol and drug counseling, school social work, or school counseling.

OR
The equivalent of six (6) months full-time post baccalaureate professional work experience which involved the provision of direct services to families or children in one of the areas previously described.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

· Principles of sociology and psychology relating to normal and abnormal human behavior and family and community dynamics.
· Child development and parenting skills.
· Interviewing techniques, including crisis intervention and counseling methods.
· The role of the Agency in the treatment plan and the Social Services Agency's policies, procedures, programs and services.
· Community resources.
· Legal definitions of sexual molestation, physical abuse, general neglect, incest, failure to thrive, emotional abuse, medical neglect and other details of laws relating to child abuse reporting and other related areas of law.

Ability to:

· Work cooperatively with varying interests and coordinate them towards achieving case plan and solving problems.
· Set limits to assist clients in taking steps toward greater self-sufficiency.
· Write clear, concise and descriptive reports under time restraints.
· Exercise sound judgment in making diagnostic risk assessments and decisions regarding placement of children.
· Deal effectively with hostile, disorganized or aggressive clients.
· Accept supervision and consultation.
· Handle high-pressure, crisis situations professionally and extract appropriate information in such situations.
· Learn and use various computer applications such as word processing and databases.
· Use personal computers and word processing programs.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps: A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process which is a written examination.  Those candidates who pass the written examination will be invited to participate in an oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview will contain situational exercises. CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.  The oral exam may serve as the hiring interview.  We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs. 

SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:  

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

 

Deadline for Filing: Review of Minimum Qualifications Written Examination: Oral Interviews:	5:00 pm, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 June 16, 2017 Week of June 26, 2017  Week of July 24, 2017

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statues.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statues.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.  

Ione Bell, Human Resources Analyst

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

510-272-6456  

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer