Social Worker III (PO/DL) - Hilo, Hawaii

About the role

This job posting is for the third level, social worker position. Depending on your education and experience, you might also qualify for the other levels below. Please review the Minimum Qualification Requirements on the job postings carefully to see which levels you might qualify for and submit a separate application for each.

Responsibilities

Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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;
• juveniles temporarily detained;
• engagement of family and community in juvenile cases.

Among some of the issues involved in the cases are substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, child abuse and neglect, trauma, disputed child custody/visitation, victim restitution, and others.

Requirements

Social Worker III positions provide direct casework and related services for the full range of cases coming within the scope of a department's social work program; makes independent analysis of client's situation; makes reasoned conclusion as to preferred course of action and provides necessary services and treatment; prepares case records and reports; and performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education Requirement: Graduation from an accredited four (4) 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 below, or any other responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. To be acceptable, 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 background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.

Specialized Experience

One and one-half (1-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional social work experience which involved utilizing a variety of social work skills and exercising professional judgement in the process of assisting individuals and their families with identifying their problems, evaluating the situation realistically, and considering resources and alternative courses of action pertinent to their needs and circumstances. The work typically involves conducting assessments; developing and implementing a plan of treatment programs and services; working cooperatively with other professionals, community agencies or institutions, in an interdisciplinary team; and evaluating the client’s progress and adjusting plans as appropriate. Substitution Allowed A bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited four (4) year college or university qualifies for Social Worker II or six (6) months of experience. A master’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited college or university 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 from an accredited college or university qualifies for Social Worker IV or two and one-half (2-1/2) years of experience.

Non-Qualifying Experience

Experience which did not provide the necessary professional social work concepts and theories and the background and knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of professional social work will not be considered as qualifying experience. Examples of non-qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Experience providing supportive services to professional social workers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, housing managers, or other professional workers in such programs as public welfare, family court, etc. Experience determining the eligibility of applicants/recipients for benefits under a public welfare program such as medical assistance, food stamps and other benefits. Experience providing vocational, educational, psychological, or pastoral counseling. Experience providing occupational or physical therapeutic services. Peace Corps or VISTA work experience which did not require the application of professional knowledge of the principles and practices of social work and/or was not performed under competent professional supervision. Experience relocating clients who are displaced as a result of urban renewal or other similar reasons. Trainee level type social work experience will not be considered qualifying unless work is performed under competent professional social work supervision.

Selective Certification Requirement - Driver's License

For these positions, applicants must possess a current and valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle.

Probation Officer Position

Most positions serve as probation officers. Probation Officers manage a case load of clients who have been adjudicated for law violation(s) or status offense(s) and are placed under the jurisdiction of the court for the purposes of supervision under probation or protective supervision, provision of services, or monitoring for compliance with the court's 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, etc.

Supplemental Information

Any additional information may be attached to your online application, submitted by email to Recruitment@courts.hawaii.gov, or mailed to the following address: Hawaii State Judiciary, Human Resources Department, 426 Queen Street, First Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Education: If you are using education as a substitution for experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) or diploma(s) at the time of application. If you are selected for a position, we will request an official transcript (not a copy) at a later date. The official transcript must indicate completion of the training and/or the awarding of the appropriate degree.