Social Worker IV (MSS)

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 Masters 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 Masters 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 (31.070). A Social Worker IV A / B may provide lead direction to lower-level Social Workers or service employees.

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.

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 childs 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 childs 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 :

Ability to :

Minimum Qualifications

Social Worker IV A

OR

Pattern 2 : A masters degree from an accredited two (2) year counseling program

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 masters degree in social or behavioral science psychology anthropology sociology and counseling education.

Social Worker IV B (This level is for candidates with a masters degree and experience. Experience during an internship does not count at this level).

Pattern 1 : A masters 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 masters degree from an accredited college or university two (2) year counseling program

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 masters degree in social or behavioral science psychology anthropology sociology and counseling education .

Supplemental Information

Examination Information

Training & Experience Examination Weighted 100%

The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidates 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. 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 two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.

Eligible List Information

A departmentalopen eligiblelist will be established for the county of Del Norte. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.

Retest Period

Once you have taken the examination you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.

Special Testing Arrangements

Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability military or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements please contact CalHR at 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.

Education Documents

If 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

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

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 Opportunity

The 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.

Additional Information

About Del Norte County

Del Norte County where the redwoods meet the sea is located in the northwest corner of California along the Pacific Ocean and adjacent to the Oregon border. The substantially rural county is notable for forests containing coast redwoods some over 350 feet tall. These redwoods are the tallest living things on Earth dating back over 2000 years. Notably the County is located in one of the few rain forests in the temperate region. The County is home to a multitude of unique plants and flowers coastal bird and fish species rocky primitive beaches and sea stacks pristine rivers and historic lighthouses. Del Norte County is home to several fun rivers and ocean activities a variety of food festivals including local seafood a sanctioned BBQ cook-off raft races on the beautiful and wild Smith River and the very popular ocean stand-up paddleboard race. There are numerous hiking trails located within the national and state parks as well as sponsored park events throughout the year. Star Wars enthusiasts will also recognize the County as being the location of some of the forest scenes used in Return of the Jedi.

Key Skills

Motivational Interviewing,Acute Care,Crisis Intervention,Behavioral Health,Intake Experience,Hospice Care,Case Management,Home Care,Child Welfare,Experience with Children,Social Work,Addiction Counseling

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 2602 - 3288