Under direction, provides protective social casework and counseling services for individual and family problems in either children's services or adult services units within the Human Services Agency or the Health Care Services Agency; and does related or other work in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the first Protective Services level class in the Social Worker series. Incumbents learn to be responsible for protecting the safety and welfare of their clients and for carrying out the requirements of child welfare, adult protective services, or mental health protective services laws and regulations. The program assignment will determine the emphasis of an incumbent's duties as described below.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Investigates and provides services to clients where their physical or emotional welfare is involved; participates in community planning and identifying influences harmful to children, adults and families; provides services for individuals incapable of protecting themselves.
Evaluates individual and family case information; may interview clients and relatives in their homes, in care facilities, or in the office to develop case histories; assesses problems; determines appropriate types and methods of treatment; initiates intensive long or short-term treatment plans.
Provides counseling for family interrelationship problems that may endanger the physical or emotional welfare of clients; may arrange for basic needs including medical care, housing, food and clothing; may serve as an agent of the Conservator or a sub-payee.
Participates in specialized activities depending on client population that include provision of adoption services, investigation of adult financial abuse, renewal of conservatorships and evaluations of care homes/facilities; processes applications for service and assistance from clients, relatives, care providers, prospective adoptive parents, or others in need of help; recruits, studies and selects adoptive homes, board and care facilities, and other care settings; places clients into care facilities as appropriate; assists care providers and institutional staff in meeting the needs of clients.
Provides information and recommendations to the Courts as assigned.
Interprets rules, regulations, and policies to clients, families, applicants and the general public.
Maintains case records; prepares correspondence and reports; utilizes computer systems to input and retrieve information related to social service cases.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER I
Experience: One year as a Senior Social Worker or higher class in San Joaquin County Service.
Note: Individuals employed in the San Joaquin County class of Adult Protective Services Social Worker (APSSW) on August 9, 2000 will be deemed to have the above required experience.
OR II
Education: Graduation from an accredited four year college or university.
Experience: Three years as a social worker or case manager working with adults, children or families in a social services or health care setting.
AND
License: Possession of a valid California Driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
The principles and techniques of social work and of the role and function of the public social service agency; individual and group behavior of families, children, seniors and disabled adults with emphasis on growth, development, aging, and family relationships; physical and mental illnesses and their impact on personality; social casework objectives, principles, and methods; the socio-economic factors which promote stable family life and an understanding of the elements which affect family security; social service research methods; community organizations and the use of public or private community resources; the laws, rules and regulations governing the operation of public social service agencies; the goals involved in legislation directed toward the protection and rehabilitation of clients.
ABILITY
Establish rapport with children, seniors or disabled adults and their families in working toward a solution or amelioration of their problems; analyze situations and take effective action; work cooperatively with fellow employees and the general public; effectively apply casework knowledge and skills; utilize supervision and direction effectively to meet agency's program goals.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility-Occasional standing and walking; frequent keyboard operation, sitting and driving; occasional climbing stairs, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting; Lifting-Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds; Vision-Constant reading and close-up work requiring 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; occasional hearing faint sounds; Emotional/Special Conditions-Constant public contact, decision making and concentration; frequently working alone, exposure to trauma, grief and death; occasional exposure to noise, emergency situations; occasional 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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