Social Worker III

Bargaining Unit: Local 1021 - Social Services Rank & File Unit  

Do you have a passion for helping others?  Do you want to make a difference in people's lives?  Come join a team committed to helping individuals and families live their best lives!  The Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) is recruiting to fill Social Worker III vacancies within Aging and Adult Services, Children and Family Services, and Whole Person Care CommunityConnect.  Responsibilities may include assessing an individual's or family's problems which involve abuse or neglect, developing case plans to preserve adequate functioning, or improve individual or family functioning, and may include preparing and submitting written court reports and recommendations, and may carry out the orders of the court.
 
If assigned to the Children & Family Services Bureau, you will work in one of the following areas, including but not limited to; Abuse/Neglect Investigations, Case Management, Juvenile Court, Out-of-Home Placements, Family Reunification/Maintenance, Independent Living Program, Foster Home Licensing and Adoptions.  If assigned to Adult Protective Services, you will be responsible for investigating and mitigating abuse and neglect of elderly and dependent adults. If assigned to Whole Person Care CommunityConnect, you will be responsible for providing case management and care coordination for enrolled clients served by the County Health Care System.  
 
A bilingual differential is available for positions and incumbents designated as bilingual and meet the qualifications.  Applicants interested in the Social Worker II recruitment must complete and submit a separate application for Social Worker II.
 
Contra Costa County offers a wide range of competitive benefit options to meet the needs of our diverse workforce and their families.  For general county benefits information, visit our Benefits page at: CCC Employee Benefits.
 
Are you curious about a day in the life of a Social Worker?  Check out a couple of the Social Worker profile videos!
Adult Protective Services
 
We are looking for someone who has:

• Knowledge and ability to learn and apply complex laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to clients
• Strong analytical, organizational and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills when working with diverse clients of various ages, socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, and mental and/or physical capabilities
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with other professionals in order to meet the needs of a shared client
• Great communication skills
• Tech-savvy skills and ability to learn and use specialized software programs
   
  A few reasons you might love the job:
• Opportunity to compassionately support children, elders/dependent adults, and families
• It's more than a desk job! Travel throughout the beautiful East Bay and neighboring counties to meet with clients and community partners
• Work and network with dedicated professionals who share the same passion for public service
• Career growth and upward mobility within the department
• Supportive and respectful working environment that values work-life balance
   
  A few challenges you might face in this job:
• Fast-paced environment
• Meeting mandated deadlines (such as court)
• Identifying ways to navigate limited resources and services while still meeting clients' identified goals and needs
• Keeping up with many changing State mandates and policies

• October 2023 (For applications received 6/17/2023-9/15/2023)
• January 2024 (For applications received 9/16/2023- 12/15/2023)

License Required: Possession of a Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of State valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, sociology counseling or psychology, with a specialization in marriage, family and children or in a major within the social/human services field.

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time or its equivalent experience as a social caseworker in a public or private human services agency. One year must have been after completion of the Master's degree.

Substitution: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in psychology, sociology, social welfare or a closely related field and four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent experience as a social caseworker in a public or private human services agency, two (2) years of which must have included experience in any of the following areas: adoptions, foster home and institutional placement, adult or children's protective services, conservatorship of individuals incapable of self care may be substituted for the required education and experience.

1. Application Filing: All applicants must apply on-line at www.cccounty.us/hr and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement by the final filing date.
2. Application Evaluation: Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be convened to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.
3. Written Examination: May include multiple-choice questions, writing proficiency test, and scenario based competency/behavioral questions.  Test items may consist of the following assessment categories: Assessment, Interpersonal, Interpreting Policies and Procedure, Investigative, Psycho-Social, and Written Communication. (Weighted 100%).

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
 It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.