Job Description

Salary : $82,545.60 - $100,348.73 Annually

Location : Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 24/10-3003-O

Department: Human Services Department (HSD)

Opening Date: 10/23/2024

Closing Date: 11/6/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit: 25

Position Information

Help ensure the safety and well-being of Sonoma County's most vulnerable adults

who are older and residents with disabilities.

Become an Adult and Aging Social Service Worker III!

Starting salary up to $48.08/hour ($100,348/year) plus a competitive total compensation package!


This Adult and Aging Social Service Worker III (SSW III) is assigned to the Adult and Aging Division's program, which provides in-home care to low-income, elderly, and individuals with disabilities, enabling them to remain safely and independently in their homes. They will utilize their experience and professional discretion to determine when a complex case decision can be made independently and when to consult with a supervisor, especially when working independently with clients in the field. Additional responsibilities include:

• Interviewing clients and conducting IHSS functional needs assessments to determine client eligibility
• Communicating program requirements to clients and their providers
• Conducting in person home visits to provide initial intake of new applicants to the program as well as their annual reassessment
• Mentoring new employees, and acting as an IHSS liaison with community partners and on specialized assignments
• Educating clients on available program features and how to best utilize them
• Providing referrals to resources in the community
• Carrying a complex caseload and managing client needs as they arise between annual assessments

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following:

• A bachelor's degree in social work or a related field
• Excellent communication, multitasking, organization, and problem-solving skills
• The ability to keep calm in a stressful work environment and navigate challenging interpersonal situations
• Experience working with adults who are older, people with disabilities and/or chronic health issues, and their caregivers
• The ability to collaborate with coworkers as well as internal and external program partners
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care approaches, strength-based assessments, and cultural humility
• The ability to properly apply state regulations to a client's individual needs
• Knowledge of the community resources and support structures in place for the populations we serve
• Experience working with underserved multicultural communities
• Basic Microsoft Office and data entry skills
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking abilities are highly desirable but not required

About the Human Services Department (HSD)
As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, the Human Services Department's mission is building upon strengths, we bridge people to opportunity through responsive safety-net services. We work to protect vulnerable children and adults, to help people rise above poverty and thrive in our community, 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 responsive, client-focused services so that all in our community can live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan. The core values that drive our work are dignity, humility, integrity, responsiveness, partnership, and belonging.

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.


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


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:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - 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
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the and our .


This recruitment is being conducted to fill an Adult and Aging Social Service Worker III position. 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 candidates who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title for this position is Social Service Worker III.


APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from college, with a degree in social work, sociology, psychology or other behavioral science; and two years experience at the level of Social Service worker II.

OR

Academic course work at a college or university in social work, psychology, sociology, and other behavior science; and four years of progressively responsible experience in a social work agency at least two of which were at the level of Social Service Worker II would provide such opportunity.

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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: the basic principles and theories of sociology and psychology including abnormal psychology, human growth and development, group and family dynamics; principles and techniques of interviewing and recording social case work; principles of individual and group behavior; provisions of federal, state, and local welfare programs and the laws, rules and regulations governing their applications; community organizations and resources; socioeconomic conditions and trends; current problems and methodology in public social service.

Working knowledge of: supervisory techniques and practices.

Ability to: assess and evaluate data and develop an effective course of action; apply laws, rules, and regulations to welfare department operation; interpret social service programs to applicants, recipients, and the public; make effective use of resources and services in the community; develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, departmental staff, public and private Social Service agencies, community based organizations and the public; accept and use consultative supervision and act effectively under stressful situations; control personal bias and apply social work ethics; input data, reports and narratives into a computer system; keep detailed records and prepare reports and correspondence.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• 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.

Please visit to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED. 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.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.


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 to determine the requirements for this position.


HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted online at: 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.


HR Analyst: EP
HR Tech: EV


IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit


IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01


How did you first learn about this opportunity?

• Careers in Government
• College or University
• County of Sonoma Human Resources Office
• Craigslist
• DiversityJobs
• Employee of Sonoma County
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Handshake
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair
• Latino Service Providers
• LinkedIn
• Los Cien
• Press Democrat
• sonoma-county.org/
• Start Here!
• X (Twitter)
• Veterans Services Office
• Women's Organization or Group
• Other Internet Site
• Other Publication

02


Please indicate if you would also be interested in future part-time or extra-help (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) positions should they become available. Check all that apply.

• I would also like to be considered for future part-time positions
• I would also like to be considered for future extra-help positions
• I am only interested in full-time positions

03


This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English/Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions, and your level of proficiency.

• Yes, I have basic (conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
• Yes, I have fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
• No, I do not have English/Spanish bilingual skills, and/or I do not wish to be considered for a bilingual position

04


Please indicate how your experience and education meet the requirements of this position, as stated in the job announcement:

• I have graduated from college, with a degree in social work, sociology, psychology or other behavioral science; AND have two years of experience at the level of Social Service Worker II
• I have completed academic course work at a college or university in social work, psychology, sociology, or other behavior science; AND have four years of progressively responsible experience in a social work agency, at least two of which were at the level of Social Service Worker II
• None of the above

05


For this question, and all subsequent questions, please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers.
Based on the answer you provided in Question 4, please describe how you meet the minimum experience and education requirements for this position.

06


Please describe your experience providing social services to low-income, elderly, and/or individuals with disabilities. Include details regarding the size of your caseload, as well as the types of cases you managed.


07


Please describe a complex social work case you have managed. Include the:

• Issues/challenges facing your client
• Methods of clinical assessment you employed
• Actions you took
• Resources you coordinated
• Outcome

08


Please describe the training, skills, and abilities you possess that makes you an effective lead worker. Include at least one example in which you've demonstrated these skills in a professional environment, detailing the situation, any challenges you faced, and the outcome.


Required Question County of Sonoma, CA

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Relief, Seasonal work, Local area, Remote job, Flexible hours,

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