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

Recruitment Number 26-168LJ | Social Worker III (DL), SR-20 | Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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 clients that allow for the development and practice of a broad range of skills. Social work professionals in this role utilize evidence-based practices informed by current research to promote client behavioral changes and improve outcomes. This position is ideal 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 and make reasoned conclusions about preferred courses of action.
• Deliver necessary services and treatment, including supervision of juvenile and adult law violators, defendants conditionally released from the Hawai`i State Hospital, and juvenile status offenders.
• Perform child custody and visitation evaluations.
• Assist protection order petitioners and support child welfare services cases referred to the Family Court.
• Engage 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.
• Prepare case records and reports.
• Serve as a probation officer, managing a caseload of clients adjudicated for law violations or status offenses, providing supervision, services, or compliance monitoring under court orders.
• Engage in collaborative casework with clients facing serious mental health issues, family conflict, law violation histories, behavioral problems, parent/child relationship issues, and substance abuse.

Requirements

• Current and valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
• Compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) (28 CFR 115.17, 115.117, 115.217, and 115.317). Applicants who may have contact with detainees, inmates, or residents of confinement facilities must not have engaged in or been convicted of sexual abuse or harassment as outlined by PREA.

Qualifications

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 providing comparable knowledge and abilities may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Education or 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 the use of social work skills and professional judgment to assist individuals and families.
• Experience typically includes conducting assessments, developing and implementing treatment plans, working cooperatively with professionals and community agencies, and evaluating client progress.

Substitution

• A bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for six (6) months of experience.
• A master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for one and one-half (1-1/2) years of experience.
• A Ph.D. in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies 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.
• Examples include supportive services to professional social workers, eligibility determination for public welfare benefits, vocational or educational counseling, occupational or physical therapy, Peace Corps or VISTA work without professional supervision, and trainee-level social work without competent supervision.

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. Official transcripts will be required if selected.
• Applicants graduating with a Master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration may apply within three months prior to graduation. An official transcript indicating degree completion will be required if selected.