Social Worker IV - Honolulu, Oahu

Recruitment Numbers: 25-141TY (Social Worker IV), 25-138TY (Social Worker I), 25-139TY (Social Worker II), 25-140TY (Social Worker III), Honolulu, Oahu.

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 client interactions 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 may be an excellent choice for those who embrace collaborative casework and seek to address complex social issues.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Social Worker IV positions provide intensive social casework and related services in the most complex cases presenting a wide range of psycho-social problems. These roles may include supervising a small group of less experienced social workers, providing services for a full range of cases within a department’s programs at a field location, and offering technical consultation on case direction for specific program areas.

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 on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor’s degree.

Specialized Experience

Two and one-half (2-1/2) 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 in identifying problems, evaluating situations, and considering resources and alternative courses of action.
• Conducting assessments, developing and implementing treatment plans and services, working cooperatively with other professionals and community agencies in an interdisciplinary team, and evaluating client progress.

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 provide the necessary professional social work concepts, theories, or knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques will not be considered qualifying. Examples include:

• Supportive services to professional social workers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, or housing managers.
• Determining eligibility for public welfare benefits.
• Vocational, educational, psychological, or pastoral counseling.
• Occupational or physical therapeutic services.
• Peace Corps or VISTA work not requiring professional social work knowledge or performed without competent supervision.
• Relocating clients displaced by urban renewal or similar reasons.
• Trainee-level social work experience unless performed under competent professional supervision.

Selective Certification Requirements

• Driver’s License: Certain positions require a current and valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
• Firearms Qualification (Lautenberg): Certain positions require qualification to possess firearms or ammunition in accordance with state and federal laws (e.g., no misdemeanor or felony domestic violence conviction).
• Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA): Applicants for positions involving contact with detainees, inmates, or residents of confinement facilities must not have:
  • Engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, or juvenile facility.
  • 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.

Probation Officer Role

Most positions serve as probation officers, managing a caseload 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. Probation officers engage in collaborative casework with clients who may have:

• Serious mental health issues.
• Family conflict.
• Extensive or serious law violation histories.
• Severe behavioral problems.
• Disruptive parent/child relationships.
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Additional Information

Additional information may be attached to your online application, submitted by email to Recruitment@courts.hawaii.gov, or mailed to: Hawai`i State Judiciary, Human Resources Department, 426 Queen Street, First Floor, Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813.

If using education as a substitution for experience, submit a copy of your transcript(s) or diploma(s) at the time of application. If selected, an official transcript will be required.