Adult & Aging Social Service Worker IV
Position Information
Adult Protective Services (APS)
Adult Protective Services is a fast-paced crisis response program. APS receives reports and investigates incidents of suspected abuse, and/or neglect of seniors and dependent adults. Responsibilities include receiving calls from the community, completing suspected abuse reports, investigating abuse allegations, conducting risk assessments, creating service plans, documenting cases within required time frames, coordinating with law enforcement, medical providers, and other social service agencies and linking clients to community resources.
Adult & Aging (A&A) Social Service Worker IVs assigned to APS work in a collaborative, dynamic environment that requires a high tolerance for changing priorities in workload and exposure to traumatic situations in the community. These positions will be in the Investigation unit of APS and may be assigned to work from the Santa Rosa or Petaluma offices. Duties include but are not limited to:
- Investigating suspected incidents of elder and dependent adult abuse, neglect, or self-neglect
- Conducting home visits, risk assessments, creating person-centered service plans, and documenting case details within required time frames
- Working collaboratively with community partners, such as law enforcement, the District Attorney, hospitals, and other social services agencies
- Responding to client emergencies when it is determined there is an immediate health and safety risk
The I&A Social Service Worker IV assists all callers with a No Wrong Door approach, including callers who do not fit the target population. All I&A services are person-centered, free from bias, and honor the individual’s preferences, choices, and abilities. Although assistance is provided primarily through live calls, I&A Social Workers serve the community in a manner convenient to the caller: over the telephone, via e-mail, via LiveChat, in the office, or, if necessary, in the client’s home.
Ideal candidates for these positions will possess:
- A Master's Degree in Social Work, Gerontology, or a related field
- Experience working with frail, low income, elderly populations, and people with disabilities
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
- Community care coordination, mental health, and counseling experience
- Previous experience conducting home visits with older adults and people with disabilities
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking abilities are highly desirable
The Adult & Aging Division (A&A) assists and advocates for the safety, health, dignity, and independence of older adults and persons with disabilities. A&A focuses on protective, supportive social services, as well as community advocacy and coordination. The Division encompasses several programs serving older adults and people with disabilities including the Veterans Services Office, Public Guardian, and In Home Supportive Services (IHSS). The Division also includes the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging program, and its Advisory Council, which plans, coordinates, and allocates Older American Act funds for services for persons 60 years of age and older in Sonoma County. For additional information about A&A and its programs, please visit our website.
The Benefits of County Employment
When you join HSD, you become part of a strong work family that makes a difference in lives of our community. We offer opportunities for growth, development, and the ability to be a part of a rewarding work environment. You can also look forward to excellent benefits,* including:
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Bilingual premium pay* is an additional $1.15/hour on top of the hourly pay rate for bilingual positions
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
*Salary is negotiable. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU).
The Civil Service title for these positions is Social Service Worker IV. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this includes a Master's Degree in Social Work, or a Master's Degree from a two-year counseling program;
OR
Graduation from college, with a degree in social work, sociology, psychology or other behavioral science; and three years of progressively responsible experience providing social services including two years of professional experience equivalent to the county’s Social Service Worker III level;
OR
Academic coursework at a college or university in social work, psychology, sociology, and other behavior sciences; and six years of progressively responsible experience providing social services, at least three of which were at a level of Social Service Worker III would provide such opportunity.
Special Requirement: Some positions may require a Master’s degree in Social Work per State regulations.
License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of: the principles and application of the psychology of individual and group behavior, community services, and social work methods; social casework goals, principles, and methods; the intent and appropriate application of laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing operation of public social service agencies; physical and mental illness and their impact on personality and functioning; socioeconomic factors which affect daily stability; conflict resolution and family dynamics; current philosophy and social work practices in the field of assignment; standards for maintaining client’s safety; options for higher level of care.
Working knowledge of: problem solving and counseling techniques; strategies and protocols surrounding risk assessment, harm reduction, trauma informed care, and crisis intervention techniques; effective methods for handling emotional, irate, or distressed people; signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug use/abuse; principles and practices of workload and time management; community organizations and resources; housing and cultural barriers and resources; the intent and appropriate application of laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing the operation and function of public social service agencies.
Ability to: use social work methods and evaluation; apply crisis intervention and therapeutic social work counseling techniques; communicate effectively with others in writing, in person, and over the telephone; interact professionally and respectfully with clients including difficult, hostile, distressed, or mentally unstable clients/relatives; analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action; perform job duties under stressful conditions; maintain confidentiality of files and records; make home visits to clients’ residences which may be unsanitary or unsafe; work constructively within an agency and community setting; effectively use consultative supervision resources and services; control personal bias and apply social work ethics; keep records and prepare records; identify and utilize community resources; learn and use various computer applications and programs.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.