Social Worker I (DL) - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Recruitment Number 26-166LJ. These positions require a current valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.

About the Role

Working as a Social Worker with the Judiciary provides opportunities to contribute to public welfare and safety. The Judiciary employs social workers in various court programs, offering diverse duties and client populations that allow for the development and practice of a broad range of skills. Social work professionals in the Judiciary utilize evidence-based practices informed by current research to promote client behavioral changes and improve outcomes. This role is ideal for those who embrace collaborative casework and seek to address complex social issues.

Responsibilities

• Supervision of juvenile law violators, adult law violators, defendants conditionally released from the Hawai`i State Hospital, or juvenile status offenders.
• Conducting child custody and visitation evaluations.
• Assisting protection order petitioners.
• Assisting in child welfare services cases referred to the Family Court.
• Engaging with juveniles temporarily detained and their families or communities in juvenile cases.
• Addressing issues such as substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, child abuse and neglect, trauma, disputed child custody/visitation, and victim restitution.
• Performing simple social work tasks in accordance with defined policies and procedures and specific supervisory instructions.
• Preparing case records and reports.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree, including a minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours in courses such as social work, social welfare, criminal justice, human services, counseling, psychology, sociology, or other related social sciences.
• Progressively responsible professional social work experience involving the use of a variety of social work skills and professional judgment to assist individuals and families in identifying problems, evaluating situations, and considering resources and alternative courses of action. This typically includes conducting assessments, developing and implementing treatment plans, working cooperatively with other professionals and community agencies, and evaluating client progress.
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents, read and interpret complex written material, and solve complex problems logically and systematically.
• Possession of a current and valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.

Special Conditions

• For certain positions, applicants may have contact with detainees in juvenile facilities, lockups, prisons, jails, or community confinement facilities. In accordance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the Hawai`i State Judiciary shall not hire or promote anyone who:
  • Has engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
  • Has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse.
  • Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in such activity.
  • Has been the subject of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment or resigned during a pending investigation of such allegations.

Probation Officer Duties

Most positions serve as probation officers, managing a caseload of clients adjudicated for law violations or status offenses under the jurisdiction of the court. Responsibilities include supervision under probation or protective supervision, provision of services, or monitoring compliance with court orders. Probation officers engage in collaborative casework with clients who may have:

• Serious mental health issues.
• Family conflict.
• Extensive and/or serious law violation histories.
• Severe behavioral problems.
• Disruptive parent/child relationships.
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Education Substitution

Excess work experience in responsible administrative, professional, or analytical roles that provided comparable knowledge and abilities to a bachelor’s degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. If using education as a substitution for experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) or diploma(s) at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected.

Applicants who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree (including at least 12 semester credits of social science coursework) may apply within three months prior to graduation. If selected, an official transcript indicating completion of the required coursework and degree will be required.