Social Worker I

Salary: $25.57 per hour / $4,432.13 per month / $53,185.60 per year. This position qualifies for a 10% hiring incentive paid in three installments: 50% after hire, 25% after 12 months, and 25% after 24 months of continuous employment.

About the role

Performs basic social services casework under close supervision as the entry/trainee level in the professional Social Worker series. Employees learn casework methods, policies, and procedures while carrying a limited, non-complex caseload. Typical assignments include child welfare, adult services, or employment services programs. After one year of satisfactory performance, employees are expected to advance to Social Worker II.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews with clients, family members, and others in homes, offices, or by telephone to assess basic social, physical, and mental needs.
• Perform case studies and evaluate individual and family information to assess safety of children and adults.
• Assess reports of suspected abuse; may work on-call and provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys.
• Develop and implement culturally sensitive treatment plans for an assigned caseload in compliance with agency, state, and federal requirements.
• Assist clients and families in developing strategies to meet case plan goals.
• Refer clients to other staff or community resources for specialized services; advocate for appropriate services.
• Interpret agency policies, rules, and regulations to applicants, clients, and others.
• Conduct home visits related to casework assignments.
• Prepare and maintain case records, databases, and reports; communicate decisions and timelines to clients and service providers.
• May testify in court and participate in specialized functions or community outreach.
• Engage in in-service training and staff development to enhance technical competence.
• Receive casework consultation from professionally trained staff.
• Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; or
• Completion of 30 semester units (or 45 quarter units) from an accredited college, including 15 semester units (or 22.5 quarter units) in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or related social/behavioral sciences; and one of the following:
  • One year of full-time experience in Social Service Aide, Eligibility Specialist II, Employment and Training Worker II, or comparable classification; or
  • Three years of full-time experience providing direct client services to disadvantaged adults or children in a private or public agency.
• Valid driver’s license at the time of interview (exceptions reviewed case-by-case for disability accommodations).
• Pre-employment screening, including background checks and fingerprinting, is required.

Knowledge and Skills

• Principles and practices of organization, workload, and time management.
• Report writing, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Phone etiquette, interview techniques, and socio-economic conditions.
• Basic principles of individual and group behavior, social welfare issues, and public welfare programs.
• Interviewing, problem-solving, and casework recording techniques.
• Laws, regulations, and policies governing public welfare agencies.
• Community resources and social problems requiring public/private intervention.
• Personality development, group processes, and crisis intervention strategies.
• Medical, legal, and social needs of individuals with special conditions (e.g., HIV, drug dependency, Alzheimer’s).
• Psychopathology, mental illness diagnoses, and related treatments.

Abilities: Learn agency programs and procedures; establish client rapport; communicate effectively orally and in writing; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action; maintain confidentiality; work in emotionally charged or stressful settings; operate office equipment and software; respect cultural differences; and interact professionally with diverse clients.

Benefits

• Flexible office hours (Monday–Friday, 6:30 AM–7:00 PM).
• Remote work options available for some positions upon department approval.