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

Recruitment Number 26-168LJ – Social Worker III (DL), SR-20, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. A current valid driver’s license is required 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. Social workers are employed in various court programs, engaging with diverse clients and issues to develop and practice a broad range of skills. The Judiciary values evidence-based practices informed by current research to promote client behavioral changes and improve outcomes, making it an excellent choice for those who embrace collaborative casework and seek to address complex social issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct casework and related services for a full range of cases within the scope of the department’s social work program.
• Conduct independent analysis of clients’ situations, make reasoned conclusions about preferred courses of action, and deliver necessary services and treatment.
• Prepare case records and reports.
• Supervise juvenile law violators, adult law violators, defendants conditionally released from the Hawai`i State Hospital, or juvenile status offenders.
• Conduct child custody and visitation evaluations.
• Assist protection order petitioners and support child welfare services cases referred to the Family Court.
• Engage with juveniles temporarily detained and involve family and community in juvenile cases.
• Address 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, 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.

Excess work experience, or other responsible administrative, professional, or analytical experience that provided comparable knowledge and abilities, may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis. The experience must demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports, interpret complex written material, and solve problems logically and systematically.

Specialized Experience

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

• Utilizing a variety of social work skills and exercising professional judgment to assist individuals and families.
• Conducting assessments, developing and implementing treatment plans, and evaluating client progress.
• Working cooperatively with professionals, community agencies, or institutions in an interdisciplinary team.

Substitution

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

Non-Qualifying Experience

Experience that did not involve professional social work concepts, theories, or principles is not qualifying. Examples include:

• Supportive services to professional social workers or other specialists.
• Determining eligibility for public welfare benefits.
• Vocational, educational, psychological, or pastoral counseling.
• Occupational or physical therapeutic services.
• Peace Corps or VISTA work without professional social work supervision.
• Relocating clients due to urban renewal or similar reasons.
• Trainee-level social work without competent professional supervision.

Selective Certification

• A current and valid driver’s license is required 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 a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
• Been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity facilitated by force, threats, or coercion, or where the victim did not or could 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.

Probation Officer Duties

Most positions serve as probation officers, managing caseloads of clients adjudicated for law violations or status offenses. Responsibilities include:

• Supervision under probation or protective supervision.
• Provision of services and monitoring compliance with court orders.
• Collaborative casework with clients facing serious mental health issues, family conflict, law violation histories, behavioral problems, parent/child relationship issues, or substance abuse.

Additional Information

Applicants using education as a substitution for experience must submit a copy of their transcript(s) or diploma(s) at the time of application. If selected, an official transcript will be required. Applicants graduating with a Master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration may apply within three months prior to graduation but must provide an official transcript indicating degree completion if selected.