Social Services Assistant-Second Chance Reentry Program - County of Riverside
Riverside, CA 92501
About the Job
The Riverside University Health System- Behavioral Health Department is seeking to fill a Social Services Assistant position for the Second Chance Reentry Program located in Riverside.
Under general supervision, provides routine support to professional staff and/or social workers in their case management, which may include, the coordination of social services programs, social services applicants and/or recipients, and outreach services and activities to community members; acts as a liaison between the client, County departments as assigned, and community groups and agencies; and performs other related work as required.
The Social Services Assistant is an entry level paraprofessional classification in the social worker class series and reports to an appropriate supervisory or management level job class. Depending on area of assignment incumbents are responsible for providing routine social services and resource referral duties, supportive counseling, placement services, observation services of clients, and basic assessment and training. The Social Services Assistant may be assigned a variety of routine investigative duties, including, but not limited to obtaining information to identify and locate missing/absent parents. Incumbents support professional staff and/or outreach efforts and activities, which do not require the same level of expertise of a professional social worker.
The Social Services Assistant is distinguished from the Social Services Practitioner series in that the latter represents the professional level classes in the social worker series and incumbents perform case management services, which require greater assessment skills and a broader knowledge of social work concepts.
Other essential duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Visit families in their homes to evaluate their living situations and identify any risks to client safety.
- Collect information from clients and other sources and assist them in applying for County programs or services.
- Support case management by reviewing case files.
- Help create service plans and connect clients to helpful resources.
- Advocate for clients, offer emotional support, and teach essential skills like parenting, job readiness, and daily living.
- Address obstacles clients face, such as caring for youth with medical or emotional challenges.
- Act as a bridge between clients, professional staff, County departments, and community organizations.
- Ensure clear communication and smooth service delivery.
- Arrange transportation, supervise youth during transitions and visits.
- Keep detailed records of client progress, visits, and other case activities.
*Applicants should be familiar with public social service programs, the laws related to them, and how cultural factors impact clients. They should also know how to assess clients' needs, create, and carry out service plans, track progress, and communicate well with different people and groups.*
A current valid CA Drivers License is required.*
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.*
Work Schedule: Will be discussed during the interview.
Meet the Team!
Riverside University Health System
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Make home visits to assess client family environment, including, but not limited to, determining potential or imminent risk to the health and safety of clients and/or youth residing in the household on previously assessed cases by social workers; provide assistance, answer questions, gather data from interviews with clients, physicians, public or private agencies, and/or other appropriate sources.
• Review case records to formulate basic service plans or participates with professional staff in the formulation of service plans; assist in the delivery of social service plans (e.g., resource referrals and training in work skills and parenting), and other case management related duties.
• Assist or complete on behalf of clients application forms for County program participation and/or in obtaining needed services (e.g., medical care, CalFresh, vouchers, restraining orders); advocate for clients in securing services, provide encouragement and support to clients in attaining, preserving, and following through on services.
• Assist clients in recognizing and correcting home, family, and social conditions contributing to problems; instruct clients on appropriate methods of home management, basic health, and nutrition needs; provide supportive counseling to clients.
• Assist clients in developing appropriate parenting skills, job skills and daily living skills; assist clients to resolve training barriers; teach age-appropriate responses to youth; support client's efforts in dealing with youth, including those with medical and/or emotional problems; interact with clients to gather data on progress in learning and performing basic skills.
• Act as liaison between professional staff and clients through clarifying instructions and providing information on basic social services, County programs, and available community resources; act as liaison between County departments and agencies, organizations, community groups and individuals.
• Assist clients in arranging for transportation to obtain County services and/or attend required service appointments, etc. (e.g., mandated Court ordered services, including but not limited to, drug testing, medical, therapy), transport clients and/or youth in accordance with all California safety regulations, including the use of age-appropriate mandated safety equipment and managing assistive equipment (e.g., wheelchair, walker) for elderly or disabled clients; assist social worker in the placement of clients who are unable to care for themselves in an appropriate care or treatment facility.
• Supervise and support youth while awaiting placement; gather and inventory belongings, including medications and deliver during placement transitions; supervise youth during visitation with parents, siblings, family members, court hearings, therapy appointments, etc., in accordance with safety regulations protecting the youth, social services workers, and members of the public; document and provide feedback on the quality of the visitation.
• Write reports on client statuses, searches conducted on locating missing/absent parents/guardians for custody proceedings, and other case management related reports; prepare correspondences under the review of professional staff; maintain current electronic records of client visitation, client statuses, and other tracking and/or documentation as required in the centralized database; acts as an interpreter for non-English speaking clients when applicable.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
OPTION I
Experience: Six months as a Community Services Assistant in any Riverside County department.
OPTION II
Experience: One year experience performing client directed services in either a social service, healthcare, mental health, or non-county (public or private) agency and/or organization.
OPTION III
Education: Completion of 15 semester or 24 quarter units from an accredited college or university preferably with course work in psychology, sociology, social welfare, social/human services, other behavioral sciences, or a related field to the assignment.
ALL OPTIONS
Knowledge of: Basic public social service programs at the state and local level; basic principles of public assistance policies, laws, rules, and regulations governing public social services agencies; current issues, in the field of social services; behavioral patterns of the disadvantaged; cultural and ethnic attitudes towards community and social services; basic principles of interviewing and problem-solving methods.
Ability to: Work effectively with a wide variety of agencies, organizations, and individuals; interview, evaluate clients and recognize the relevant and significant factors pertaining to their needs; implement basic social service plans and monitor client's progress toward established goals; understand and evaluate basic psychological, cultural, and social factors affecting behavioral patterns; explain department procedures;, interpret agency programs and policies to clients, agencies, and organizations; read and interpret information obtained from computers, microfilms, and written documents; obtain information in a non-intrusive but persuasive manner; interact effectively with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
For specific questions regarding this position, please contact Anay Sanchez by at anasanchez@rivco.org
________________________________________________________________________________________
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.