The Riverside County Public Defender's Office has an opportunity for a Social Services Practitioner I/II/III in Murrieta. Under general direction, the Social Services Practitioner performs a variety of legal social service casework dealing with complex individual and family problems or social service casework within the justice system; the incumbent will participate in and assist with conducting in-service training programs; provide leadership as a program consultant in the utilization of casework concepts and methodology; and perform other related duties as required.

The department seeks candidates with social services experience in a legal setting or with juveniles in an educational system. Candidates with a Master's degree and/or Spanish bilingual are encouraged to apply.

Social Services Practitioner I

The Social Services Practitioner I is the entry-level classification in the Social Services Practitioner series. Incumbents are given constant and detailed supervision in learning such items as departmental organization, social service programs, basic case study methods, and casework services. Incumbents are not expected to remain in this class for more than 12 months, and as experience is gained, incumbents are assigned selected caseloads where the consequences of error are minimal; case recommendations and casework methodology, however, will continue to receive close review.

Social Services Practitioner II

The Social Services Practitioner II is the first professional level classification in the Social Services Practitioner series and is at a training level where the emphasis is on learning casework methods, procedures, and policies, and the carrying of a limited, non-complex caseload under close supervision. Incumbents may receive additional consultation and supervision of difficult and complex casework problems. Incumbents normally work independently in administering services and in making use of agency or community resources.

Social Services Practitioner III

The Social Services Practitioner III is a broad range journey to advanced level classification of the professionally trained social caseworker in the Social Services Practitioner series. Incumbents are characterized by the responsibility for performing full scope social service casework often requiring difficult diagnosis and intensive treatment services. The Social Services Practitioner III is distinguished from the Social Services Supervisor series by the latter's responsibility to provide full time supervision of staff performing casework.

The level at which the candidate will be placed is at the department's discretion.
*This position does not count towards any clinical hours required by an accredited college or university*

Meet the Team!

It is the mission of the Law Offices of the Public Defender to provide the highest quality legal representation to any person unable to afford it for criminal, juvenile, or certain civil proceedings. The Public Defender strives to preserve human dignity in all cases where citizens' liberties are at stake. The Public Defender is dedicated to the principle that no citizen shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without competent, professional, and vigorous representation so that due process is implemented fairly, equitably, and without prejudice. The Public Defender is headquartered in Riverside, with additional offices providing support to residents in Banning, Blythe, Murrieta, and Indio.• Carry a caseload of the more difficult types of social service cases requiring a high degree of technical competence where social or family problems or environmental forces adversely affect family life; assess client's problems and develop treatment plans; lead self-care, well-being and educational courses to community participants and/or staff.

• Complete case studies for the purpose of assessing problems and determining appropriate types and methods of treatment; develop intensive long or short-term treatment plans to improve or restore individual or family functioning.

• Act in a lead capacity for a small group of Social Services Practitioners or services employees, such as aides and volunteers.

• Act as a casework consultant to staff members without professional training.

• Function at a highly skilled level in such areas as counseling, protective services, medical social work, family services, community organization, and adoptive services.

• Take part in staff development programs to increase knowledge of the social work processes and augment personal technical competence.

• Provide therapeutic marital, family interrelationship and adoptive parent counseling.

• Investigate and provide services to clients where their physical or emotional welfare is involved; work with cases involving neglect, abuse, emotional or behavioral problems, physical/mental disabilities, or other health conditions affecting a client's personality, family relationships, child, or in-home care arrangements.

• Provide services and counseling in cases of desertion or impending loss of a spouse, child, or caretaker.

• Interpret public social service rules, regulations and policies to clients and the public.

• Maintain casework records and prepare reports and correspondences.

• Frequently conduct field visits, away from the home office, which may include long distances in order to carry out service plans, observe and assess client needs, and provide information and social work services.

• Assess client family environment in order to determine potential or imminent risk to the safety of children/disabled adults/elderly residing in the household; when safety needs dictate, remove child/ disabled adults/elderly from home and transport them, complying with all safety regulations, including the use of age appropriate California safety mandated equipment, when assisting with initial removal or facilitating a placement change, which may include managing/lifting the client's necessary assistive equipment (e.g., wheelchair).

• Maintain up-to-date electronic records of all aspects of client case management in a centralized database.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE LISTED DUTIES, ASSIGNMENTS WITHIN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES MAY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING:
• Perform studies of patients and their families to determine the nature of their problems; learn to develop the most effective treatment methods and treatment plans according to need.

• Interview patients, families and friends to obtain information for case records.

• Assess the psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and initiate appropriate interaction accordingly.

• Coordinate and consult with medical and other staff members and with outside agencies regarding available resources.

• Learn to interpret significant emotional, social and economic factors to healthcare team members.

• Participate in seminars of other types of training programs to enhance social work capabilities; may participate in group therapy.

• Assist in conducting training of social service aspects of medical treatment for healthcare personnel outside of the social services unit.

• Under close supervision, provide social casework services to help patients and their families adjust to social, emotional and financial problems created by illness or disability.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE LISTED DUTIES, ASSIGNMENTS WITHIN THE CHILD LIFE PROGRAM MAY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING:
• Plan, implement, and evaluate the Child Life Program.All Levels:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in social welfare, social or behavioral sciences, social/human services, counseling, or a closely related field to the assignment.

Social Services Practitioner II:

OPTION I
Experience: One year equivalent to a County of Riverside Social Services Practitioner I.

OPTION II
Experience: One year of performing casework duties in a public or private human services agency. Experience must include assessing or determining client needs, formulating case plans, or executing case plans to support and meet client needs.

Social Services Practitioner III:

OPTION I
Experience: One year equivalent to a County of Riverside Social Services Practitioner II.

OPTION II
Experience: Two years of performing casework duties in a public or private human services agency. Experience must include assessing or determining client needs, formulating case plans or executing case plans to support and meet client needs.

OPTION III
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree, preferably with a major in social or behavioral sciences, social/human services, counseling, or a closely related field to the assignment.

OPTION IV
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work.
Experience: Completed internship experience in a public or private welfare agency as part of an accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree program.

ALL OPTIONSKnowledge of: Principles and techniques of social casework and of the function of public social service agencies; individual and group behavior with emphasis on normal growth, development and family relationships; social casework objectives, principles and methods; socioeconomic and cultural factors which promote stable family life, and an understanding of the factors that affect family security; physical and mental illnesses and their impact on personality; community organizations and the services they provide; laws, rules and regulations governing the operation of public social services agencies; basic computer skills.

Ability to: Establish rapport with clients and their families; effectively apply casework knowledge and skills; apply the principles of general and/or child psychology and family relationships; evaluate personal and psychological factors in the client and/or family's situation; work constructively within an agency and community setting; effectively utilize appropriate resources and services; provide consultation to others; demonstrate skill in planning and analysis; control personal bias and apply social work ethics; maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public; provide consultation to and assist in the professional development of less experienced Social Services Practitioners; input and retrieve data from computerized system.

License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required.

Examination: All candidates will be required to pass a basic skills examination prior to being considered for any Social Services Practitioner I position. For questions regarding this recruitment: Contact the recruiter, Mary Miller, at 951-955-3464 or via email at mmiller@rivco.org with any questions regarding this recruitment. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.