Social Work Supervisor I

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to plan, organize, and direct a social worker staff unit engaged in providing employment and/or adult/children ‘s social services programs; and to do related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the first full supervisory level in the Social Worker class series.  Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, directing and supervising the functions, services, and operations of a social worker staff unit. Assigned staff primarily provide adult protective services, child protection services, in-home supportive services, information and referral services, homemaker and chore services, and employment services.


REPORTS TO

Director of Health and Human Services Agency, Deputy Director, Human Services


CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Social Worker I, II, & III



EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES (The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

Plans, organizes, and supervises the work of Social Worker staff engaged in the delivery of employment and/or adult/children’s social services; discusses policy development with Department management and assists with the development of Department procedures and policies; interprets Department policies and procedures for assigned unit staff; assists with and participates in the development of in-service training and staff development programs; conducts studies and provides casework services for selected cases and programs; works with other unit and County supervisory and management staff in coordinating services and staff assignments; consults with unit staff on difficult and complex service and case issues and problems; schedules and assigns staff casework; provides training and work evaluations for unit staff; interviews complainants, making service adjustments as warranted; assists with the development and utilization of community resources; receives, reviews, and prepares a variety of correspondence and reports; prepares budget information; represents the Department with community organizations, public meetings, and other government agencies; attends conferences; participates in special studies and research projects, as assigned. 


TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, FAX, and other related peripheral equipment such as printers and scanners.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office environment; sometimes works in a home environment; work may involve stressful situations and include dealing with erratic and sometimes threatening behavior; continuous contact with other staff and the public. 


Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

A) Two (2) years of experience performing duties comparable to a Social Worker II. (One (1) year of graduate work in social work or counseling may be substituted
 for one year of experience.)

Or

B) One (1) year of experience performing duties comparable to a Social Worker III
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:
Socio-economic conditions and trends.
Principles of individual and group behavior. 
Principles of interviewing and problem-solving methodologies.
Public human service programs at the Federal, State and local levels. 
General principles of public assistance policies and programs and related case administration techniques.
Goals and purposes of public assistance and human services programs.
Principles and methods of individual and group counseling.
Current issues in the field of social welfare.
Principles of supervision, training, and employee evaluation.

Ability to:
Plan, assign, and supervise the work of a social worker unit, ensuring that work is accomplished in accordance with regulations governing quality and timeliness.
Supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
Understand and apply the laws, rules and regulations governing the programs, operations, and services of the County Human Services Department. 
Utilize a variety of interviewing techniques and methods and document social casework progress.      
Refer clients to community agencies and resources which enhance employment or human service programs.
Understand and carry out Department programs, policies, and procedures.
Obtain facts and analyze information, drawing sound conclusions.
Gather, organize, analyze, and present a variety of data and information.
Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Prepare clear and concise records and reports.

Ability to (continued):
Effectively communicate with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Maintain the confidentiality of case records.
Explain complex rules and programs so they can be easily understood by others.
Effectively represent the Human Services Department in contacts with clients,  the public, community organizations, other County staff, and other government agencies.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.



In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all County of San Benito employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.