Social Services Supervisor II

The Social Services Department is accepting applications to fill a 1414* full-time vacancy in Santa Maria. We are also accepting applications to establish an employment list for future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. * CSR 1414 (Leave of Absence): This recruitment is to fill a position vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CSR 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to the position under CSR 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department. THE POSITION: Under general direction, the Social Services Supervisor II plans, organizes, directs the work of a social service staff providing the most complex and difficult social services; and performs related duties as required. The Ideal candidate will possess: Strong background in public child welfare programs, as well as knowledge of CDSS regulations (Division 31), W&I Code, Penal Code, and Child Welfare policies and protocols. Ability to develop and implement clear objectives. Excellent verbal and written communication skills Analytic ability, successful problem solving; capable of making important decisions under stressful situations Knowledge of community facilities and resources relating to disabled families and/or children Understanding of the function and organization of public assistance and social service systems, agency purposes, goals and policies Ability to learn, understand and comply with complex program policies and laws Knowledge and experience in principles and practices of supervision; ability to prepare and give evaluations of staff performance Ability to learn, understand and be compliant in County Personnel Rules and Administrative Policies Ability to present and teach complex material to new and experienced social workers. Ability to develop, coordinate and provide training to social service workers through the lens of effective adult learning models in different services in the department. Ability to innovate and adapt modern training methods allowing staff to grow professionally and obtain the required knowledge to be proficient in their assignment. Examples of Duties Plans, organizes, and directs a social service unit providing the most complex casework such as in adoptions and child and adult protective services; counsels, motivates and evaluates the performance of staff; reviews staff work for completeness and adherence to relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Plans, develops, coordinates, and provides staff training and development on complex social service programs. Determines necessity of investigation by social work staff and/or police of reports regarding physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, severe and general neglect, and exploitation of children and dependent or elderly adults, including self-neglect. Directs the taking into custody of neglected and abandoned children, from their homes, and directs their placement with relatives, or in foster homes, group homes, institutions, or other suitable placements; directs casework for dependent and elderly adults designed to maximize their independence, ensure their health and safety in their homes and eliminate risks to the degree possible. Reviews and approves recommendations to the court regarding the physical and legal custody of children, such as recommendations for children to be temporary dependents of the court, placement into guardianship, or for permanent separation from the care and control of current provider; prepare reports using personal computer applications such as word processing; reviews and approves Service Plans for dependent and elderly adult caseload and serves as consultant for complex and difficult case situations. Reviews and approves the legal sufficiency of investigation, casework, and reporting on matters related to guardianship, parental relinquishments, and adoptions and for the comparable legal, ethical and regulatory matters relating to protective services for the dependent and elderly adult client population. Assists in the design and implementation of service delivery programs. Assists in establishing and maintaining department's community resources network; represents the department in the community and speaks before groups on matters related to assignment. Employment Standards Possession of either a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work; or, a master’s degree from an accredited school in Marriage Family Counseling; marital and family therapy ; psychology; clinical psychology; or counseling with an emphasis in marriage, family, and child counseling; and completion of supervised practicum in accordance with Business and Professions Code Section 4980.40; AND *Three years of professional social work experience in an Adult or Child Protective Services program; 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 Requirements: Possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of appointment and must be kept valid throughout the term of employment. A DMV check may be conducted. Independent travel, including client transportation is required and incumbents in this classification may be required to travel overnight and/or to areas outside of the county. Selectees for employment in this class must, as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting and Section 15630 of the Welfare and Institutions Code relating to dependent adult abuse reporting. Selectees for positions in this class assigned to Child Welfare Services 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. Incumbents may be expected to work outside normal business hours This position will require you to serve as an emergency respondent; you must be available after hours and on holidays and weekends on an assigned basis, requiring you to be within emergency response time range when assigned. Knowledge of: professional standards and practices in the field of social work; principles and practices relating to human behavior, child Ability to: plan, train and supervise the work of others engaged in professional and technical social work and support activities; prepare and give evaluations of staff performance; develop goals and objectives; organize and prioritize work assignments; effectively delegate responsibility and authority to others; determine and evaluate levels of individual and operational performance; secure cooperation and teamwork among staff; prepare narrative and summary reports using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; comply with, interpret, and explain laws, regulations, and professional practices governing program services and operations; make independent decisions; deal firmly and fairly with clients of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; maintain confidentiality of information; recognize and respect limits of authority and responsibility; assist in the development and formulation of agency policy;