What are the responsibilities and job description for the Adult and Aging Social Worker position at County of Sonoma?
Starting salary up to $51.65/hour ($107,799/year), plus a competitive total compensation package*, and an additional $1.50 per hour for fluent bilingual positions!**
The Adult and Aging Division (A&A) of the Human Services Department is currently recruiting to fill one full-time monolingual (English) Adult and Aging Social Worker position in their Adult Protective Services (APS) unit and one time-limited fluent bilingual (English/Spanish) position in their Linkages Care Management program, which is currently funded through August 31, 2024. If you are interested in one or both these positions, we encourage you to apply now!
Adult and Aging Social Workers provide a full range of social services to protect older, medically fragile, and dependent adults from neglect, abuse, or exploitation; and provide case management services for elders and adults with disabilities who need support to stay safely in their homes and in the community. Additional responsibilities include:
- Providing an evidenced-based intervention to address symptoms of depression
- 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/or safety risk
- Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team weekly
- Identifying and linking clients to available resources and services
- Conducting interviews and providing crisis counseling with reporting parties to collect detailed information
- Managing a client caseload and providing person-centered services to elders and dependent adults
- Completing detailed case documentation and meeting mandated deadlines for specific case action and documentation
- Experience with social work case management and managing a complex caseload
- An understanding of Trauma-Informed Care and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Significant knowledge of medical social work and mental health conditions for older adults
- Experience working with frail, low-income, elderly populations, and people with disabilities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to interact with a diverse client population, with humility
- The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment
- Community care coordination, mental health, and counseling experience
- Previous experience conducting home visits with older adults and people with disabilities
- An Interest and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary framework with physicians, nurses, and behavioral health clinicians
- A Master's Degree in social work, gerontology, marriage and family therapy, psychology, or a related field is highly desirable
Adult and Aging Social Workers assigned to this program work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires a high tolerance for changing priorities in workload and exposure to crisis situations in the community. These positions may be assigned to work from the Santa Rosa or Petaluma offices, and will focus on either Intake or Investigation. Intake Social Workers take reports of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, interview reporting parties to obtain critical information about the alleged abuse, and document the required information that will be utilized to make an assignment decision. Investigations Social Workers conduct risk assessments, investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, and develop a service plan with the client to address their needs.
About Linkages Care Management
Adult and Aging Social Workers assigned to this program will provide person centered case management services (Linkages) to older adults in the community which includes completing a psycho-social assessment and care plan in collaboration with the client, and use motivational interviewing and other evidence based interventions to provide coaching to help meet their goals; and be embedded in a primary care health clinic providing Linkages case management services to older adult patients, who are primarily monolingual Spanish speakers, with symptoms of depression to help improve their symptoms and meet their care plan goals.
About the Human Services Department (HSD)
HSD fosters a positive work environment, where our commitment to providing opportunities for advancement is strengthened by a robust staff development program. We believe in the merits of work/life balance and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that our work contributes to the betterment of our community.
As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, our mission is to protect vulnerable children and adults, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFRESH, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing high-quality, client-focused, cost-effective services and values the diversity, integrity, teamwork, leadership, and accountability of all staff in accomplishing the mission of the department.
The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local levels to find creative solutions to support the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. To meet that goal, the department has fostered strong relationships with other public and private sector partners, including other government agencies, community-based organizations, and business leaders. For more information regarding HSD's services please visit http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services.
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
- 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
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- 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
- Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
**The bilingual position for this recruitment requires English and Spanish skills at the fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) level. Applicants who wish to be considered for this bilingual position must indicate their level of skill in the required supplemental questionnaire. An examination will be conducted prior to employment to confirm the level of skill in this area. Fluent bilingual premium pay is $1.50/hour.
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.
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, such as marriage and family therapy, clinical counseling, mental health counseling, addiction counseling, and counseling psychology, upon appointment;
OR,
Graduation from college, with a Bachelor’s Degree in social work, sociology, psychology or other behavioral science; and three years of social work case management experience for older and/or adults or people with disabilities or complex medical conditions, which included performing duties such as needs assessments, conducting investigations of abuse and neglect, and/or developing and modifying social work case plans;
OR,
Academic coursework at a college or university in social work, sociology, psychology, and other behavior sciences; and six years of progressively responsible experience providing social services for older and/or dependent adults, or for people with disabilities or complex medical conditions, which included performing duties such as needs assessments, conducting investigations of abuse and neglect, and/or developing and modifying social work case plans would provide such opportunity.
Special Requirement: Some positions require a Master’s degree in Social Work per State regulations; some positions may require bilingual skills.
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.
Considerable knowledge of: current principles, practices, and techniques of social work; casework methods and techniques with particular reference to problems of older and/or dependent adult neglect, abandonment, and abuse; current philosophy and practices in the field of Adult Social Services and gerontology; psychopathology, the different types of mental illness diagnoses, how mental illness affects human behavior and mental health services and treatments utilized by clients; signs, stages, and dynamics of abuse, and the effects of abuse on adult behavior; signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug use/abuse in adults and their families/caregivers; standards for maintaining clients safely in the home; options for housing and higher level care; conflict resolution, family dynamics, and caregiver/client dynamics.
Working knowledge of: principles and methodologies of research, analysis, problem-solving, and decision making; laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of public social services agencies and the role and responsibilities of a social worker; medical, legal, economic, and social management needs of individuals; various medical conditions affecting client population.
Knowledge of: Strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and de-escalation techniques; principles of community organization; resources available in the community for referral.
Ability to: use social work methods and evaluation techniques to determine appropriate treatment in difficult, emotional, confrontational, and crisis situations while maintaining a professional demeanor; utilize various strategies to address the cumulative impact of a high stress environment; work on-call and extended hours; develop therapeutic relationships in order to conduct crisis intervention and therapeutic social work counseling; employ effective stress management techniques and methods of self-care; exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, sound judgment, and cultural awareness; control personal bias and apply social work ethics; assess and evaluate home and family situations to determine if crisis intervention or a safety plan is needed; exercise sound judgment in making diagnostic risk assessments and decisions; assist in transport of clients; develop and utilize community resources to best serve clients' needs; interpret, explain, and apply complex laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; provide guidance and consultation to other staff; learn and use various computer applications, databases, and specialized software programs; write clear, descriptive, and detailed reports under time constraints; maintain confidentiality of files and records; and keep and prepare accurate and timely records.
- 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. 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.
Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted online at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
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