Job Details

Child Welfare Social Worker

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027. This recruitment is for level I, Level II and level III. The salary range for level I is $2,101.60 - 2,816.80 bi-weekly ($26.27 - $35.21 per hour). The salary range for level II is $2,321.60 - $3,111.20 bi-weekly ($29.02 - $38.89 per hour). The salary range for level III is $2,440.00 - $3,270.40 bi-weekly ($30.50 - $40.88 per hour). Butte County has ability to support clinical supervision to employees who hold an Associate Social Worker (ASW) license, promoting their growth and development within our organization. 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

DEFINITION Under direction, performs social services casework involving the professional assessment of the needs of children placed in Child Welfare Programs; performs specialized social services casework involving abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Child Welfare Programs; conducts social studies and develops service plans; provides information about available services and resources and may refer clients to appropriate departmental or community resources; and performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS Social Worker I: This is the entry-level classification in the Child Welfare Social Worker series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and provide basic social services case management. 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. Positions at this level perform most of the duties required of the positions as the Social Worker II but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Positions in this class are expected to manage caseloads involving physically, sexually, and emotionally abused and/or neglected children and their families. Social Worker II: This is the journey-level classification in the Child Welfare Social Worker series. This classification is responsible for independently performing case management duties of moderate complexity. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks and assess client's needs for services. Positions in this class are expected to manage caseloads involving physically, sexually, and emotionally abused and/or neglected children and their families. Social Worker III: This is the advanced level classification in the Child Welfare Social Worker series responsible for performing more complex cases assigned to the 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, judgement, and creativity. Positions in this class are expected to manage caseloads involving physically, sexually, and emotionally abused and/or neglected children and their families. This class is distinguished from the Social Worker IV class in that the latter is expected to lead lower-level staff and manage the most complex cases requiring the highest level of skill. Positions in the Child Welfare Social Worker class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the II and III-levels may be filled by advancement from the I-level and the II-level; progression to the II and III-levels 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 and III-levels.

Essential Job Functions

Typical 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. Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Manages a caseload of clients and conducts assessments to evaluate the effects of physical, cognitive and emotional impairment on function and determines client needs and eligibility through interviews, video platforms, phone calls, home visits, record reviews or consultation with appropriate agencies and individuals.
• Provides case management services for clients and acts as an advocate for individual clients with social services agencies.
• Refers and determines eligibility for services, authorizes and/or coordinates services as necessary to complete individual service plans; follows through with case management services to assure that services are provided in a timely and complete manner.
• Communicates policies, rules, and regulations of the program to clients and others within the scope of responsibility.
• Prepares a wide variety of reports, records, and related case correspondence; prepares court/legal documentation.
• Refers clients to community agencies based on needs and problems identified during assessment; assists clients in accessing private and public resources and services; maintains thorough case documentation for each client; updates and maintains records; gathers, and compiles data obtained for reporting purposes; develops summary records and prepares reports.
• Conducts investigations through interviews to determine if children have been abused, neglected or exploited, and/or if they are at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
• Coordinates, arranges, and transports clients as needed.
• Attend court hearings; provide case updates and testify as needed.
• Assesses cultural and linguistic differences of diverse populations; provides language interpretation services as needed.
• Makes necessary referrals as mandated reporters for suspected cases of neglected, abused and exploited children or adults.
• Assists or administers assigned projects, processes, and/or programs; provides assistance to department staff in various research projects; participates in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Supports the relationship between Butte County and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, visitors, and other employees.
• 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.
• Participates in in-service training and other staff development activities.
• Performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Some duties, knowledge, skills and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions. Knowledge of: 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. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility. Principles and techniques of interviewing, case management, and crisis intervention. Physical and mental illness and their impact of personality and function abilities. 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: Recognize relevant and significant facts; establish rapport with clients and their families from various background. Complexity of cases varies, and may include clients with dual diagnosis, potentially dangerous, or legally complex cases. 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