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

Recruitment Number 26-175LM | SR-22 | Kaunakakai, Molokai

About the Role

These positions serve as probation officers within the Hawai`i State Judiciary, requiring a current and valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle. Social workers in the Judiciary contribute to public welfare and safety through diverse, program-specific duties involving a broad range of clients and issues. The role emphasizes evidence-based practices informed by current research to promote client behavioral changes and improve outcomes, offering opportunities for collaborative casework and addressing complex social issues.

Responsibilities

• 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 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.
• Provide intensive social casework and related services for complex cases with a wide range of psycho-social problems.
• Supervise a small group of less experienced social workers, if applicable.
• Serve as the sole social worker at a field location, handling the full range of cases within the department’s programs.
• Provide technical consultation on case direction for specific program areas within a line service unit.
• Perform other duties as required.

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 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 in the community 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 subject to substantiated allegations of sexual abuse or harassment, or resigned during a pending investigation of such allegations.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, including a minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours in social work, social welfare, criminal justice, human services, counseling, psychology, sociology, or related social sciences.
• Excess qualifying work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration qualifies for Social Worker II or substitutes for six (6) months of experience.
• 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.
• 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.

Experience

• Two and one-half (2-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional social work experience, involving:
  • Assisting individuals and families in identifying problems, evaluating situations, and considering resources and alternative courses of action.
  • Conducting assessments and developing and implementing treatment plans and services.
  • Working cooperatively with other professionals and community agencies in an interdisciplinary team.
  • Evaluating client progress and adjusting plans as appropriate.

Non-Qualifying Experience

• Experience that did not involve professional social work concepts, theories, or principles, such as:
  • Supportive services to professional social workers or other specialists.
  • Determining eligibility for public welfare benefits (e.g., medical assistance, food stamps).
  • 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 due to urban renewal or similar reasons.
  • Trainee-level social work not performed under competent professional supervision.

Skills

• Ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents.
• Ability to read and interpret complex written material.
• Ability to solve complex problems logically and systematically.