Under general supervision provides social casework services to clients in a public social service program; and performs related duties as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3, of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Senior Social Worker is the experienced, journey level in the social worker series. Incumbents have been trained in providing casework services and functions with only general supervision and review. This class differs from Social Worker in that the latter is the entry level where emphasis is place on learning casework methods, procedure, policy, and carrying a limited caseload under close supervision. This class is further distinguished from Social Worker Supervisor in that the latter supervises the activities of a unit of social workers providing social casework services.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Interview clients in their homes or in the office to identify and assess their needs and problems; researches, evaluates and collaborates with clients to develop a realistic service plan.
Assess and evaluates progress in case plan; makes referral to other agencies, organizations, or divisions within the department when appropriate.
Coordinates service plan with supervisors and other staff and agencies with which the client is involved.
Prepares and dictates reports and correspondence; maintains appropriate controls; and keeps records.
Develops and carries out, in cooperation with the client, financial and basic social treatment plans.
Interprets policies, rules, and regulations of the department for communication to applicants, clients, and others.
Participates in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of social work and achieve competence; receives consultation from professionally trained staff members, medical consultants and others.
Certifies clients for educational or vocational programs.
May represent the department in a branch office or service center.
May arrange for guardianship or conservatorship for clients.
May recruit, evaluate, and recommend for licensing foster homes, boarding homes, and day care centers.
May be assigned to specialized caseload functions and/or provide administrative support to a division chief or serve as a lead worker for a unit.
May be an agency witness in fair hearings and in court hearings and prepare reports for the hearing.
May participate in outreach activities to promote awareness about program goals and services to community groups and agencies.
May attend meetings, coalitions, or collaboratives to represent the program or the population served by the program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER PATTERN I
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in social work, sociology, psychology, counseling or a closely related field.
Experience: One year of full time paid social casework in a public social service agency.
OR PATTERN II
Experience: One year in the classification of Social Worker in San Joaquin County or public social service agency.
AND
License:Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social service work; functions of public social service agencies; the laws, rules, regulations, and the various social and economic conditions affecting the work of public social services agencies; community resources available to clients; current problems and methods of approach in the field of public social service; general office procedures and equipment; principles of documentation and record keeping.
ABILITY
Demonstrate skill in casework methods and practices; demonstrate skill in the use of community resources; interpret to the applicant, client or others the public social service program as set forth in laws, rules and regulations; accept and use consultative supervision; speak and write effectively; establish rapport with clients on an individual basis; profit and utilize supervision in achieving agency goals; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility—Frequent sitting, standing, and walking for long periods and walking, occasional driving, climbing stairs, pushing, pulling, bending squatting and key board operation; Lifting—ability to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds; Vision—Constant reading and close-up work and good overall vision; frequent eye/hand coordination, occasional color/depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity—Frequent holding, gripping and writing, occasional reaching and repetitive motion; Hearing/Talking—Constant hearing, normal speech, talking in person and on the telephone; occasionally hearing faint sounds; Emotional/Special Conditions—Constant public contact, decision making and concentration, frequently working alone and exposure to trauma, grief and death; occasional exposure to noise, emergency situations, working weekends/nights, overtime and travel.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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