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

Recruitment Number 26-174LM, Social Worker III (PO/DL), SR-20, 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, offering diverse duties and clients that allow for the development and practice of a broad range of skills. Social work professionals in the Judiciary are committed to enhancing the profession by utilizing 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 be part of the solution to complex social issues.

Applicants who will graduate with a Master's degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration may apply within three months prior to graduation. If selected, an original official transcript indicating degree completion will be required.

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:

• 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.

Among the issues involved in these cases are:

• Substance abuse;
• Mental health;
• Domestic violence;
• Sexual assault;
• Trafficking;
• Child abuse and neglect;
• Trauma;
• Disputed child custody/visitation;
• Victim restitution.

Social Worker III positions provide direct casework and related services for the full range of cases within the scope of a department's social work program, including:

• Independent analysis of a client’s situation;
• Making reasoned conclusions as to the preferred course of action and providing necessary services and treatment;
• Preparing case records and reports;
• Performing other duties as required.

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 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 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 in assisting individuals and their families;
• Identifying problems, evaluating situations realistically, and considering resources and alternative courses of action;
• Conducting assessments;
• Developing and implementing treatment programs and services;
• Working cooperatively with other professionals and community agencies 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:

• Supportive services to professional social workers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, housing managers, or other professionals;
• Determining eligibility for public welfare benefits such as medical assistance or food stamps;
• Vocational, educational, psychological, or pastoral counseling;
• Occupational or physical therapeutic services;
• Peace Corps or VISTA work that did not require professional social work knowledge or was not supervised by a professional;
• Relocating clients displaced by urban renewal or similar reasons;
• Trainee-level social work 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

These positions involve contact with detainees in juvenile facilities, lockups, prisons, jails, or community confinement facilities. In accordance with federal PREA law, 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 facilitated by force, threats, or coercion, or where the victim did not consent or was unable to consent;
• 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.