Social Worker II (PO/DL) - Kaunakakai, Molokai

Recruitment Number 26-173LM, Social Worker II (PO/DL), SR-18, Kaunakakai, Molokai. These positions serve as probation officers and require a current and 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, where duties are program-specific and diverse, involving a broad range of clients and issues. 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

Hawai`i State Judiciary Social Workers work in court programs with a variety of clients and issues. Functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supervision of juvenile law violators, adult law violators, defendants conditionally released from the Hawai`i State Hospital, or juvenile status offenders;
• Conducting child custody/visitation evaluations;
• Assisting protection order petitioners;
• Assisting in child welfare services cases referred to the Family Court;
• Working with juveniles temporarily detained;
• Engaging family and community in juvenile cases.

Social Worker II positions perform a variety of social work tasks ranging from simple to moderately difficult cases that do not require the services of a fully trained, professionally qualified social worker. Duties include:

• Investigating and determining the kinds of services needed by an individual client and/or family;
• Carrying out approved treatment plans;
• Preparing case records and reports;
• 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.

Requirements

Education

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree, which included 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.

Excess work experience as described under Specialized Experience, or any other responsible administrative, professional, or analytical work experience that provided comparable knowledge and abilities, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. The experience must have been of such scope, level, and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge and abilities. The education or experience must demonstrate the ability to:

• Write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents;
• Read and interpret complex written material;
• Solve complex problems logically and systematically.

Specialized Experience

One-half (1/2) year of progressively responsible professional social work experience involving:

• Utilizing a variety of social work skills and exercising professional judgment in assisting individuals and their families with identifying problems;
• Evaluating situations realistically and considering resources and alternative courses of action;
• Conducting assessments and developing and implementing treatment plans and services;
• Working cooperatively with other professionals, community agencies, or institutions in an interdisciplinary team;
• Evaluating client progress and adjusting plans as appropriate.

Substitution

• A bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for Social Worker II or six (6) months of experience.
• A master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for Social Worker III or one and one-half (1-1/2) years of experience.
• A Ph.D. degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for Social Worker IV or two and one-half (2-1/2) years of experience.

Non-Qualifying Experience

Experience that did not provide the necessary professional social work concepts, theories, and knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques will not be considered qualifying. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Providing supportive services to professional social workers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, housing managers, or other professional workers;
• Determining eligibility for public welfare benefits such as medical assistance or food stamps;
• Providing vocational, educational, psychological, or pastoral counseling;
• Providing occupational or physical therapeutic services;
• Peace Corps or VISTA work that did not require professional social work knowledge or was not performed under competent supervision;
• Relocating clients displaced by urban renewal or similar reasons;
• Trainee-level social work experience unless performed under competent professional supervision.

Selective Certification

• Driver’s License: Applicants must possess a current and valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
• Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Requirement: Applicants who may have contact with detainees in juvenile facilities, lockups, prisons, jails, or community confinement facilities must not have:
  • Engaged in sexual abuse in such institutions;
  • Been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity facilitated by force, threats, or coercion, or where the victim did not consent;
  • Been civilly or administratively adjudicated for such conduct;
  • Been the subject of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse or harassment, or resigned during a pending investigation of such allegations.

Qualifications

Applicants who will graduate with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration may apply within three months prior to graduation. If selected, an original official transcript (not a copy) indicating the completion of the required coursework and the awarding of the degree will be required.

If using education as a substitute for experience, a copy of official transcripts or diploma must be submitted at the time of application. If selected, an official transcript will be required.