Child Welfare Worker II

Introduction

This is a reinstatement, transfer or voluntary demotion opportunity for current and former regularly appointed employees of Alameda County.

Reinstatement:
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 1744: On the request of a department head and approval of the Commission, a regularly appointed employee who resigned in good standing may, within three years after the effective date of his/her resignation, be reinstated in a position in the class from which he/she resigned or in a position in another class for which he/she may be eligible as determined by the Commission. Appointments by reinstatement following resignation are subject to the probationary period established for the class. You must have been a classified County employee in the same job code or in a job code at the same salary maximum and left the County in good standing. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Transfer:
You must be a current County classified employee in the same job code or in a job code with the same salary maximum for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Voluntary Demotion:
You must be a current County classified employee in a job code which is at a higher salary maximum than the vacancy for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

DESCRIPTION

THE AGENCY:

The Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA) employs a diverse workforce and is comprised of several departments: Agency Administration; Adult & Aging Services; Children & Family Services; Government & Community Relations; and the Workforce & Benefits Administration. This single classification position is located in the ACSSA’s Workforce Development Board (WDB) Division and is assigned responsibility for all phases of its administration. The WDB Director is supervised by the Workforce Development Board and the Social Services Agency Director or designee as authorized by the Board of Supervisors. To learn more about the Alameda County Social Services Agency, please visit the website at https://www.alamedacountysocialservices.org/

THE POSITION:
This series specification describes two Child Welfare Worker classes which under close supervision at the lower level and under direction at the higher level, provide intensive assessment, case management and/or casework services directed toward providing the most stable home environment for children who have been or are in danger of being abused, neglected or abandoned; and to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Child Welfare Worker I is the entry-level class. Incumbents work under close supervision and may be assigned all duties. Child Welfare Worker I’s are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency which qualifies them to promote to Child Welfare Worker II upon completion of one (1) year full-time service. The Child Welfare Worker I appointment will not be extended beyond one (1) year. The Child Welfare Worker I class is for individuals who do not possess an MSW degree or equivalent. The Child Welfare Worker II is the journey-level class in the Child Welfare Worker series for individuals possessing an MSW degree with requisite coursework. Positions in the Child Welfare series differ from those allocated to the Social Worker series in that the work of Child Welfare Workers involves high-pressure or crisis situations, requires substantial involvement with the Court system, involves significantly greater authority and/or involves a significantly greater consequence of error. In contrast with the next higher level class in this series, Child Welfare Supervisor, Child Welfare Worker I’s and II’s do not have supervisory responsibilities.

Positions in the Child Welfare series are found exclusively in the Social Services Agency, primarily in the Department of Children and Family Services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience :

The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience as a Child Welfare Worker I in the Alameda County classified service.

AND

Recommendation for promotion based on recent performance evaluations.

OR II

Education :

Possession of a master's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work, which included a supervised field placement providing social casework and counseling services to individuals and families.

OR III

Education :

Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Sociology, Education or an equivalent field (Vocational Rehabilitation majors not acceptable).

AND

Experience :

Satisfactory completion of two (2) semesters of supervised field work in an agency involved in the provision of direct services to families or children in one of the following or closely related areas: child welfare, family counseling, juvenile probation, pediatric social work, alcohol and drug counseling, school social work, or school counseling.

OR

Experience :

The equivalent of six (6) months full-time post baccalaureate professional work experience which involved the provision of direct services to families or children in one of the areas previously described.

License :

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

NOTE :The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE : The level and scope of the following knowledge, skills and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of :

• Principles of sociology and psychology relating to normal and abnormal human behavior and family and community dynamics.
• Child development and parenting skills.
• Interviewing techniques, including crisis intervention and counseling methods.
• The role of the Agency in the treatment plan and the Social Services Agency's policies, procedures, programs and services.
• Community resources.
• Legal definitions of sexual molestation, physical abuse, general neglect, incest, failure to thrive, emotional abuse, medical neglect and other details of laws relating to child abuse reporting and other related areas of law.

Ability to :

• Work cooperatively with varying interests and coordinate them towards achieving case plan and solving problems.
• Set limits to assist clients in taking steps toward greater self-sufficiency.
• Write clear, concise and descriptive reports under time restraints.
• Exercise sound judgment in making diagnostic risk assessments and decisions regarding placement of children.
• Deal effectively with hostile, disorganized or aggressive clients.
• Accept supervision and consultation.
• Handle high-pressure, crisis situations professionally and extract appropriate information in such situations.
• Learn and use various computer applications such as word processing and databases.

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical - HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental - HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1 st United Services Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

Conclusion

TO APPLY: Please s ubmit aPDF copyof your completed application tossadhro@acgov.org .

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please send your contact information and specific inquiries to lphillip@acgov.org or call 510-271-9126.

You are encouraged to apply immediately as this posting is open until filled and may close at anytime.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• County of Alameda

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