Social Worker I

Industry: Social Services Agency – DFCS

Company: County of Santa Clara, CA

Salary : $84,373.12 – $101,957.44 Annually

Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 24-Y3A-B

Department: Social Services Agency – DFCS

Opening Date: 12/20/2024

Closing Date: 1/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit: 17

Description

Under close supervision, learns the laws, policies and administrative procedures related to County social work programs; learns and applies the principles and techniques of problem solving; learns and applies social work techniques to a variety of social service functions; learns to make social studies to determine needs, identify problems and treatment plans for a variety of socio-economic needs.
Bilingual candidates and those with a cultural competency in serving persons with diverse backgrounds, including Latino, African and Asian Ancestry are encouraged to apply. If you speak a second language fluently (speak, read and write), please specify that on your application. If selected for a language skilled position, the ability to speak, read and write fluently in the chosen language will be tested. The established eligible list will be used to fill current and future vacant positions.

Note: Some positions within the Department of Family & Children’s Services will require the incumbent to obtain Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification. Requirements are based on State Licensure of the Scattered Sites.

Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an online written examination tentatively scheduled for January 21 – January 27th. The examination instructions will be sent via the email address attached to your application.

COVID-19 Risk Tier – Department-specific determination based on each specific position.
Typical Tasks

• Learns and applies the basic principles and techniques of social work;
• Interviews clients and families in the home or office to assess socio-economic problems and needs;
• Develops and carries out social service assessment plans;
• Interprets policies and regulations to clients and the community;
• Refers clients to and assists in utilizing appropriate community and other resources;
• Reviews cases and social work progress with supervisor;
• With supervisor’s concurrence, may refer clients to other staff when needs of client are beyond the level of competence or area of responsibility;
• Participates in-service training and extra-curricular courses;
• Prepares case records, documents, reports and correspondence in a timely manner, as required;
• Assists clients in obtaining and completing various forms;
• Supervises visitations between clients and biological family members; recording visitations in appropriate log book;
• May transport clients to appointments such as: medical and therapy appointments, evaluations, and court appointments;
• May assist with admitting or releasing tasks at the Receiving Assessment and Intake Center;
• May prepare necessary and assigned documentation such as incident reports, maintenance requests;
• May assist children with the care and protection of their belongings that are brought to the Receiving Assessment and Intake Center;
• Participates in meetings related to assignment;
• May provide direct care and supervision of children and youth;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work preferred or possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Nursing, Psychology, Social Psychology, Vocational Rehabilitation or equivalent titles to the above degree from an accredited college and one (1) year of experience working with children, youth and/or adult populations.

OR

Completion of sixty (60) college semester units from an accredited college and two (2) years of experience comparable to a Community Worker, Eligibility Worker II, Program Services Aide, Employment Counselor II or Children’s Counselor, equivalent to the classifications within Santa Clara County.

Possession of a valid California Driver’s license, prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Driver’s permit.

Knowledge of:

• Existing socio-economic conditions;
• Basic principles of social work;
• Interviewing techniques;
• Effective methods for handling emotional, irate or distressed people;
• Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet and/or database.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain rapport with clients;
• Learn and interpret complex laws, policies and procedures;
• Speak and write effectively;
• Interview effectively;
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds;
• Prepare and present accurate and effective reports.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector’s 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family’s long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of “see resume” or “see application” will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedDo you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

Did you separate from the County through the 2020 Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP)?

• Yes
• No

03

What is your Santa Clara County Employee ID number? If you do not have a Santa Clara County Employee ID number, type n/a.

04

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• None
• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degree

05

Select the field of your Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.

• Social Work
• Behavioral Science
• Counseling
• Education Counseling
• Gerontology
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Equivalent Degree
• None

06

If you selected an equivalent degree to the question above, list in the field. If not, type N/A.

07

Select the amount of social work experience you possess working with children, youth and/or adult populations.

• None
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

08

Describe your experience working with children, youth and/or adult populations.Responses must include the following required information:
– Your job title(s)
– Start/end date(s)
– Hours worked per week
– Detailed description of tasks performed. If you do not possess this type of experience, state “None”.

09

Select the amount of experience comparable to one of these classifications in Santa Clara County:Community Worker Eligibility Worker IIProgram Services AideEmployment Counselor IIChildren’s CounselorEquivalent Title

• None
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

10

Describe your experience comparable to one of these classifications in Santa Clara County:Community Worker Eligibility Worker IIProgram Services AideEmployment Counselor IIChildren’s CounselorEquivalent TitleResponses must include the following required information:
– Your job title(s)
– Start/end date(s)
– Hours worked per week
– Detailed description of tasks performed. If you do not possess this type of experience, state “None”.

11

Select the language(s) that you are fluent in (check all that apply).

• Arabic
• Armenian
• Cambodian
• Cantonese
• Farsi
• German
• Hindi
• Japanese
• Khmer
• Korean
• Mandarin
• Oromo
• Pakistani Urdu
• Russian
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Taiwanese
• Vietnamese
• Other Language
• None of the Above

12

If you selected “Other Language”, provide the name of the language skill you speak, read, and write fluently.NOTE: Selected candidate must be Level II language certified (speak, read, and write fluently), or certify prior to start of assignment (extended offer is conditional upon passing all pre-employment requisites).If you didn’t select “Other Language”, type N/A.

13

How did you find out about this job?

• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
• County Employee Referral
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Virtual Job Fair
• In Person Job Fair
• In-Person Networking Professional Event
• Virtual Networking Event
• Community Event
• Glassdoor
• Governmentjobs.com
• Professional Association
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Hospital Website: SCVMC, O’Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital Website
• Handshake
• Student Career Center
• County Text Message
• Other (Specify in the next question)

14

If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above. Please specify. If not, type n/a.

Required Question