Job Details

Social Worker - Adoptions

This position requires a Master's Degree in Social Work.

Butte County has the ability to support clinical supervision to employees who hold an Associate Social Worker (ASW) license, promoting their growth and development within our organization. This recruitment is for level I and level II. New employees generally start at the beginning of the salary range. The salary range has 7 steps with employees typically starting at step 1 and moving to step 2 upon the completion of a successful one-year probationary period. Each year thereafter, upon completion of successful performance, employees move to subsequent next step. Each step represents a 5% increase.

Note: A training and experience evaluation may be utilized to determine an applicant's ranking among qualified candidates. Based upon information provided in this application including responses to supplemental questions, an applicant's education, training, and experience (full-time equivalent) may be evaluated. Applicants should provide thoughtful and thorough responses to supplemental questions as they play an important role in this recruitment process. All qualifying work experience that is described or included in responses to supplemental questions MUST also be included and detailed in the "Work Experience" section of this application. "See Resume" is not an acceptable response for any supplemental question.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Under general supervision, performs specialized social services casework involving at-risk children or conducts social studies and develop service plans which may include the need for specialized social services; provides information about available adoption services and resources and may arrange referral of clients to appropriate departmental or community resources; performs other duties as assigned.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Social Worker I - Adoptions: This is the entry-level classification in the Adoptions Social Worker series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and provide advanced social services casework in the area of adoptions, requiring coordination with county welfare departments, public and private social services, adoption agencies, public and private attorneys, judges, and other representatives of the court system. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and complex; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Social Worker II - Adoptions: This is the journey-level classification in the Social Worker Adoptions series. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks and handle more difficult, sensitive and specialized cases and decisions are made where consequence of error may be significant. This class requires advanced casework skills, a high degree of program knowledge, judgment, and creativity. Positions in this class may be assigned to Children's Services and are expected to manage caseloads involving physically, sexually, and emotionally abused and/or neglected children.

Positions in the Social Worker - Adoptions class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the II-level may be filled by advancement from the I-level; progression to the II-level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the II-level. This is an advanced level classification in the Social Worker series.

Examples of typical job functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Conducts case studies providing recommendations for Adoption or Guardianship when appropriate.
• Responds to adoption inquiries; enrolls adoptive parents in adoptive services; determines child's legal eligibility for adoption.
• Assesses the physical, social, emotional, and economic factors present in prospective adoptive families, and suitability of children for families.
• Makes decisions and prepare full factual reports to the court with recommendations for or against granting petitions for adoption and recommend alternate plans when needed.
• Prepares appropriate case records including narrative recordings and supporting documentation as required by statutes.
• Reports to the court with recommendations regarding permanent plans for children, court actions to terminate parental rights, guardianship petitions, existence of parental relationships, necessity for parental consent and withdrawals of consents.
• Conducts placement studies required under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.
• Informs birth parent(s) of their alternative prior to relinquishing children for adoption or consenting to the adoption and determine the readiness and capability of the birth parent(s) to relinquish or give consent.
• Provides consultative services to other public and private social services regarding adoption planning on other cases.
• Conducts investigations of child abuse recorded at the Child Abuse Registry for prospective adoptive parents; and conducts set-aside investigations and report to the court.
• Participates in pre-planning to identify foster homes to meet the permanency needs of children.
• Inspects home environment for the overall growth and development of the child.
• Counsels, trains, and supervises foster families in meeting children's needs for permanency.
• Maintains regular contact with the foster families, children and the biological parents to monitor the progress of the child and family through the entire process.
• Prepares evaluation and progression reports and provides suggestions, recommendations or treatment as required.
• Adheres strictly to the state and federal laws when dealing with any issue related to child care.
• Interacts with families and individuals to assess their requirements, and find social services programs that would assist them.
• Adheres to the standards of the Privacy Act of 1974, {U.S.C. 552A} as amended; maintains and enforces all aspects of confidentiality of client information.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• State and Federal rules, regulations, and laws relating to adoptions in California; principles, practices, and techniques used in the administration of adoptions programs.
• Casework theory and practice, child psychology and principles of individual and group behavior.
• Child welfare casework objectives; socioeconomic factors which promote stable family security.
• Casework techniques in working with special needs children who experience adverse parental background.
• Crisis intervention techniques in the provision of post adoption services.
• Functions and services provided by a public social service agency including community resources.
• Principles of human nature, growth, and development.
• County social service program laws, policies, and procedures.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Work with local county welfare departments in assessing the adoption potential of children within the child welfare system.
• Develop and maintain effective interpersonal relationships while working with county welfare departments, other public and private social services and adoption agencies, public and private attorneys, judges, and other representatives of the court system.
• Conduct orientation meetings with the public.
• Coordinate multiple community resources to serve client needs; assessing and evaluating social problems; determine eligibility for program services; provide outreach, advocacy services and make recommendations according to observations and interviews.
• Utilize program specific case management system.
• Analyze situations and adopt effective course of action.
• Utilize effective interpersonal and organizational communication skills including the dissemination of information to appropriate parties; listen attentively and respond appropriately and timely.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures and standards relevant to work performed.
• Demonstrate initiative through anticipation of operations needs and problems and acting appropriately.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.