Social Services Case Aide

SALARY: $3,975.09 - $4,724.37 Monthly, $47,701.13 - $56,692.44 Annually plus bilingual allowance when applicable. We are accepting applications to fill one full-time vacancies in the Social Services Department. The current vacancy is in Santa Maria. We are also establishing a list for future vacancies in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc. Please select the location(s) you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. BENEFITS OVERVIEW! Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year, depending on the length of public employment. Holidays: 13 days per year. Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement. Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). The County contributes toward the employee's premium. On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over 5 years of age. The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits such as shown below. For more details: SEIU 620. Applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: Retirement reciprocity Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate POSITION: Under supervision, assists professional staff by transporting clients, conducting site visits related to adult or child protective services and coordinating services; maintains contact with clients and families to monitor progress and compliance with the case plan; may supervise parental visits and make reports; performs routine clerical and related tasks as assigned. The Ideal Candidate will possess: Excellent customer service skills Ability to maintain confidentiality Good time management and prioritization skills Good oral and written communication skills Ability to track daily tasks on calendars and program spreadsheets Knowledge with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.) Ability to work well both independently and as a team player Accuracy and attention to details skills Bilingual skills in English & Spanish are desirable, but not required. Examples of Duties Provides transportation both inside and outside Santa Barbara County for children under Child Welfare Services including relocation and placement in foster homes, physician and counseling appointments, supervised parental and family visits, and appointments relating to needs of children and families. Provides transportation both inside and outside Santa Barbara County for adults under Adult Protective Services, including transporting at-risk adults to medical appointments; and/or accompanying frail or at-risk adults while shopping or completing other errands associated with activities of daily living. Supervises parental and/or family visitations as directed by Social Workers; monitors visitation time and makes decisions to terminate visit if necessary; makes oral reports of visitation and follows up with written reports by documenting into the CWS/CMS system. Performs home visits to disabled and elderly clients of Adult Protective Services in order to gather relevant information, make observations of client in home and follow through with social worker directives relating to client. Assists social work staff in visitations and removal of children into protective custody that may require physical removal by lifting and carrying children. Assists social work staff in site visitations; performs routine welfare checks; obtains receipts and assists clients in gathering needed financial information if appropriate and/or necessary. Maintains contact with clients and families in order to monitor progress and compliance with the case plan, including medical, educational, and counseling recommendations; makes reports of observations/findings to Social Workers. Provides routine clerical support to professional staff including setting up and coordinating family, adult, and child services, documenting site visits, filing legal documents, and collecting and providing information pertinent to meeting clients’ needs. Enters data into the department’s automated system of documentation and statistical information, as well as documentation of observations from direct client/family contact relating to client safety and the approved case plan. Testifies in court regarding direct observations of clients as necessary. Employment Standards In order to qualify, you must clearly demonstrate on your application that you meet the education and experience standards listed below, including the knowledge and abilities. Please note that education alone does not substitute for the experience requirement. Equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of general office experience in a contemporary computerized environment with public contact responsibilities; preferably in a human or social service setting OR, A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment. Desirable Qualifications: The ability to speak, read, and write fluently in English and Spanish may be required for some positions. Note: If you indicated on your application that you are bilingual, Human Resources will place you on the employment list for a job requiring bilingual skills to converse fluently. Hiring departments will test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name will be removed from the employment list for bilingual skillset, in accordance with Civil Service Rule 7. Knowledge of: standard office procedures; recordkeeping practices; work and time management techniques; public contact and communication techniques; basic computer software applications. Ability to: plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments; establish rapport and provide a safe and calm environment for clients, both children and adults; maintain confidential information and records; make clear and concise written and oral reports; drive a vehicle safely while transporting passengers; locate unknown destinations; maintain composure under stressful situations; learn department and state regulations; learn and use required computer applications; assess possible problems during visitations and take appropriate actions; represent the County with tact and diplomacy; develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, supervisors, service providers, and clients; communicate effectively with clients from a variety of social, economic, and cultural backgrounds; lift and carry small children or physically assist disabled and elderly adults. Special Requirements: This class requires the ability to lift and carry a child weighing up to 40 pounds for moderate distances and/or may require the ability to physically assist disabled or elderly adults while transporting. The position may also involve lifting and transporting medical equipment. Selectees for positions in this class are subject to fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal record check as authorized by Section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and Section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code. Appointee will be required to successfully complete a background check which may include credit, criminal, personal and employment history.