HS Homeless Services Social Worker I/Ii/Iii

Description

The Human Services Agency (HSA) includes nearly 1400 staff members who serve Ventura County residents, all of whom have unique experiences and perspectives. Each of us has a responsibility to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in our communities. Our County is proud to have a diverse workforce, and providing a respectful and inclusive workplace is a priority and aligns with the Agency's values.

Adult and Family Services (AFS) is currently seeking social workers to work with people who are experiencing homelessness. Under direct (level I) or general (levels II and III) supervision, Homeless Services Social Workers provide field-based case management to persons who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness, conduct mental, physical and social assessments, develop case plans, and initiate linkage to appropriate services by collaborating with multiple partner agencies.

The ideal candidate has a graduate degree in social work or clinical psychology, and professional-level experience working with individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and/or low income, and partnering with community, state, or county agencies to advocate, secure, or co-manage services for clients. Additionally, the ideal candidate works well independently and uses good judgment in a largely field-based work environment. Lastly, the ideal candidate has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and is computer proficient.

To learn more about HSA, click "Who We Are" to view a short video.

HS Homeless Services Social Worker I is the entry-level classification where the emphasis is on learning casework methods, procedures, regulations and policies. The incumbent carries a caseload under direct supervision and is expected to progress toward competency as a HS Homeless Services Social Worker II.

HS Homeless Services Social Worker II is the journey-level classification where the incumbent demonstrates a working knowledge about the practices of the Homeless Services Program and is able to work under general supervision. In addition, the incumbent handles more complex cases with the consultation of the lead worker.

HS Homeless Services Social Worker III is the advanced journey-level classification where the incumbent provides complex services under general direction. The incumbent demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of Homeless Services eligibility requirements and the overall program and may serve as a resource for the rest of the team.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES

HS Homeless Services Social Worker I: $23.50 to $31.33 per hour

HS Homeless Services Social Worker II: $27.76 to $37.01 per hour

HS Homeless Services Social Worker III: $29.87 to $39.84 per hour

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational need and certification of skills.

HS Homeless Services Social Worker I/II/III are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assess social, physical, mental functioning and needs of clients through interviews, outreach/home visits, record reviews or consultation with appropriate agencies and individuals.

• Refer, authorize and/or coordinate services as necessary to complete individual service plans. Follow through with case management service to assure that services are provided in a timely and complete manner.

• Interpret departmental policies, rules and regulations for applicants, agencies and the public.

• Prepare and maintain case reports and records, and computerized information.

• Collaborate with landlords, housingauthorities, Health Care Agency, mental health providers, police, representativesof other service agencies, and various Human Services departments to develop service plans, evaluate and monitor cases.

• Assist clients in the application for benefits and accessing shelter and/or housing opportunities.

• Make presentations to the public on related homeless services, legal mandates, and availability of community services.

• Mentor new workers, provide consultation to less experienced workers and serve as a resource person for co-workers. (level III)

• Perform other duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

HS Homeless Services Social Worker I:

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Social Work (BSW), or Human Services (BHS);

OR

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in a field related to human services AND twelve (12) months experience performing case management services.

Additional qualifying experience providing case management services can be substituted for the related four-year college degree on a year-for-year basis.

HS Homeless Services Social Worker II:

A Master's Degree from an accredited university in Social Work (MSW), Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), or another closely related advanced degree;

OR

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Social Work (BSW), or Human Services (BHS) AND twelve (12) months experience performing case management services;

OR

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in a field related to human services AND twenty-four (24) months of adult case management experience.

Additional qualifying experience providing case management services can be substituted for the related four-year college degree on a year-for-year basis.

HS Homeless Services Social Worker III:

A Master's Degree from an accredited university in Social Work (MSW), Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), or another closely related advanced degree ANDtwelve (12) months of homeless services case management experience;

OR

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Social Work (BSW), or Human Services (BHS) AND twenty-four (24) months of adult case management experience including twelve (12) months of homeless service case management experience;

OR

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in a field related to human services AND thirty-six (36) months of adult case management experience including twelve (12) months of homeless service case management experience.

Additional qualifying experience providing case management services can be substituted for the related four-year college degree on a year-for-year basis.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver license.

• Homeless Services Social Workers are required to furnish their ownvehicle for use on the job, and mileage will be reimbursed.

• Some positions may be English/Spanish bilingual required. For those positions, successfully passing the bilingual test at the indicated level will be a condition of continued employment.

Supplemental Information:

Though not on a daily basis, duties require considerable driving to make field-based visits to clients in environments that may be unsanitary or unsafe. Incumbents may encounter hostile reactions from clients and others in the course of performing job duties. Incumbents are required to perform after hours standby services as needed. The position requires some evening work especially during the winter shelter season.

Worksite reassignments may occur due to changes in facilities or other operational requirements within the business.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Some to thorough knowledge (depending on level in series) of:

• Principles and techniques of interviewing, case management, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention.

• Community resources and social services programs available for the homeless and disabled.

• Dynamics of the culture of poverty.

• Individual and group behavior.

• Physical and mental illness and their impact on personality and function abilities.

Ability to:

• Obtain and recognize relevant and significant facts.

• Establish rapport with clients and their families of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

• Write effectively utilizingprovided software.

• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.

• Speak and conduct group presentations.

• Interpret and explain laws, rules and regulations to the public.

• Work effectively with representatives of other agencies.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This recruitment is open on a continuous basis but may close at any time. Therefore, please submit your application as soon as possible.

To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click herefor additional information.

Applications must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above sections; however, it may not be substituted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.

WRITTENEXAMINATION - 100%: An un-proctored, internet-based job-related written exam will be conducted to evaluate participating candidates' knowledge of Interviewing Principles and Techniques, General Social Services, Community Resources and Social Services Programs, Interpersonal Skills, and English Usage for successful performance on the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future Regular, Temporary, Fixed-Term, Intermittent, and Extra-help vacancies. There are currently two (2) Regular vacancies.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post-offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Blake Nespica by email at blake.nespica@ventura.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the County of Ventura to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for county employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.