Social Work Specialist - Human Services Agency (2916) (117303)

Career Opportunity

Social Work Specialist - Human Services Agency (2916) (117303)

Recruitment: RTF0116284-01097617

Published: July 29, 2022

Contact:

Ivy Yeung - ivy.yeung@flysfo.com

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

Department: Human Services Agency
Job class: 2916-Social Work Specialist
Salary range: $99,996.00 - $121,524.00
Role type: Permanent Civil Service What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time
Exam type: Class Based Test
Rule: Rule of 3
List type: Combined Promotive and Entrance

About:

This announcement has been reopened to reflect changes to the job description to include the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. Applicants who already applied to this recruitment during the filing period February 8, 2022 through February 23, 2022 need not reapply and will be included in the applicant pool.

2/22/22: Extended application deadline to February 23, 2022

7/28/22: Reopened application from July 29 through August 2, 2022

At the San Francisco Human Services Agency, we believe in a San Francisco where everyone has the opportunity and support to achieve their full potential. We are comprised of the Department of Benefits and Family Support, and the Department of Disability and Aging Services, and are united by our commitment to deliver essential services that support and protect people, families, and communities.

From financial, nutritional and employment support to child and adult protective services, health care coverage, affordable childcare, and in-home services for older adults and persons with disabilities, our team lends support for all in need.

Our Commitment to Racial Equity

As we work towards our vision of an inclusive San Francisco, we embrace our responsibility to root out systemic racism by creating services and a workforce which reflect the lived experiences and strengths of the people we serve. We are committed to fostering a work environment where our differences are celebrated and everyone has what they need to thrive--no matter their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin. Click here to learn more about what this commitment looks like in action.

Role description

Under direction, the Social Work Specialist (SW Specialist) performs a variety of specialized duties in support of human service programs including but not limited to Continuous Quality Improvement, Case Management, Personnel Administration, or Handbook Writing specialties.

Positions in this classification are responsible for carrying out specialized functions for an assigned human service program which require a comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, local and departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations. The specific job responsibilities may vary depending on the Program Assignment.

PROGRAMS AND THEIR ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

The SW Specialist in IHSS performs a variety of specialized duties in support of IHSS including specialized case management. This position provides specialized case management services to meet the needs of high-risk Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) residents who are eligible to receive IHSS. Essential duties include:

Work with PSH sites to provide IHSS intakes, reassessments and on-going case maintenance for formerly homeless tenants residing in PSH who require IHSS to maintain housing stability.
Participate in collaborative support service team meetings comprised of PSH on-site case management and property management, Homebridge, a licensed health care provider, and Adult Protective Services to support tenant housing and health stability.
Coordinate with on-site case management to conduct initial intake assessments, evaluates IHSS eligibility and authorize home care hours per State regulations. It may require multiple in-person outreaches, phone calls, and letters.
Determine urgent needs that requires home care service to start prior to IHSS authorization.
Evaluate applicant’s ability to manage own care and makes referrals to IHSS Public Authority Registry and Homebridge to assist in obtaining services.
Conduct annual and emergency reassessments to reassess recipient’s needs and authorizing home care hours per State regulations.
Manage caseload issues such as loss of Medi-Cal, Inter-County Transfers, loss of home care provider, and leaves.
Document all work in State’s CMIPS II database.

Family and Children’s Services (FCS) Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

SW Specialist in FCS CQI provide ongoing continuous improvement support through monitoring, evaluating, and making suggestions for improvements to FCS programs and policies. Essential duties include:

Review and monitor department compliance to federal and state regulations as related to case service delivery.
Perform case reviews, interviews with families, service providers and stakeholders to evaluate data for errors and compliance with state and federal regulations. Assess validity of audited findings and conclusions and discuss with staff or unit supervisor.
Compile and submit statistical and narrative reports and provide evidence of compliance related to federal and state policies and procedures.
Assist with training sessions for internal and external stakeholders.
Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives.
Participate in community, professional groups, and committees.
Gather and analyze statistical data using computer programs and present data in meaningful reports for key stakeholders. Provide evidence of compliance related to federal and state policies and procedures.

CalWORKs Social Work Services (SWS)

CalWORKs Social Work Services (SWS) specialists are responsible for providing wrap-around services and case management focused on addressing the needs of the entire family to get them towards the path of self-sufficiency. Essential duties include:

Provide intensive and multi-disciplinary case management, coaching, and referral services to all CalWORKs clients (whole family units) to identify the most appropriate path towards employment and self-sufficiency.
Conduct in-depth assessments of clients’ functional limitations, barriers, and needs using on-line appraisal tools, computer applications, and/or other systems.
Educate and help participants navigate through program expectations, policies, procedures, and services.
Coordinate wrap-around services if needed by collaborating with other HSA services or outside providers and perform outreach engagement strategy in person, telephone, mail, and home visits to referred families, according to established guidelines.
Participate in regular case consultations to discuss client assessments and case plans.
Develop appropriate case plans that are aligned with Welfare to Work (WtW) as prescribed by federal work participation requirements in CalWORKs.
Develop a housing plan that is aligned with WtW plans for clients.
Compile and submit statistical and narrative reports using computer applications and systems.
Connect clients to housing services and outside providers, and provide supportive services to ensure client’s housing needs are met to the best of the program’s abilities.
Oversee housing stabilization and retention as well as other available wrap-around services prescribed to clients.
Provide emergency, crisis, and short term interventions as well as American Disability Act (ADA) assistance to clients and families in need.
Participate and contribute in short and long-term projects with other workgroups as appropriate.

CalWORKs Employment Specialist Quality Assurance (ESQA)

SW Specialist working in the ESQA unit perform specialized duties utilizing comprehensive knowledge of Federal, State, Local and departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations, and various computer systems. Incumbents review and monitor Employment Specialist work for compliance related to the CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (CW WTW) program by verifying activity participation, eligibility, and required hours of participation. Essential duties include:

Review program regulations and quality control guidelines and procedures; prepare reports on findings; identify problems of non-compliance; recommend corrective action regarding discrepancies.
Review monthly Welfare to Work participation survey samples for accuracy and finalize survey for timely submission to the State Department.
Identify training needs.
Keep abreast with program regulations and current laws, rules and regulations.
Interpret and apply Federal, State, County and Departmental policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; prepare clear and concise reports; audit records; accurately gather, record and evaluate data; analyze and interpret information and adopt effective courses of action; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; effectively communicate with staff and clients.
Assist in developing, revising and updating Department policies and procedures.
Facilitate and contribute to short- and long-term projects and workgroups.

County Adult Assistance Program (CAAP) Client Health Services (CHS) Case Management

SW Specialist in the CAAP CHS Case Management Program provide case management services to eligible recipients of CAAP. They conduct assessments with clients, help clients navigate the application process for disability benefits, and refer clients to the appropriate community resources to support physical and mental well-being. Essential duties include:

Provide case management services to CAAP clients.
Assess clients’ situation through conducting interviews, performing biopsychosocial assessments, collecting medical and psychiatric records, contacting physicians, psychologists and other community providers and evaluating all information to determine disabling conditions, substance use, mental health issues or other barriers to employment.
Summarize clients’ functional limitations and make referrals to community services. Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, Social Security Administration (SSA) representatives, and other stakeholders involved with client’s case.
Educate and help clients navigate through the SSA and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) application process for disability benefits.
Serve as liaison with Social Security Administration, State Department of Social Security, and other governmental organizations. Maintain contact with disability examiners in order to fulfill requests for additional documentation
Utilizes clinical interview techniques that include the ability to establish rapport, to manage anxiety and other emotions that may occur when discussing sensitive issues and utilize de-escalation and crisis management techniques when indicated.
Treat clients and staff with respect and dignity.
Stays abreast of relevant federal, state, local and departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations related to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), CAPI, and Immigration, and attends periodic seminars related to mental health, medical conditions, and drug addiction.
Participate in weekly case presentations discussing client problems, diagnoses, and plans. Assist the training of new staff members.

How to qualify

1. Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;

AND

2. Experience: Two (2) years of social casework or employment services experience with a public or private agency/organization.

Substitution:

Education Substitution: Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years). Thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.

Experience Substitution: Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

VERIFICATION OF EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=456

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

What else should I know?

Specific information regarding this examination process are listed below.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Ivy Yeung, by telephone at (415) 557-6205 or by email at ivy.yeung@sfgov.org.

Application Opening – February 8, 2022
Application Deadline – February 22, 2022; extended to February 23, 2022; reopened July 29 to August 2, 2022
Compensation: $92,612.00-$112,55400 Yearly; https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/
Examination Plan for this recruitment consists of Multiple Choice Examination (weight: 100% of candidate exam score)
Eligible List duration resulting from this examination process will be twelve (12) months.
Certification Rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of Three
Exam Type: Combined Promotive and Entrance
List ID: CBT-2916-117303

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights - Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at: https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications, and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at http://sfgov.org/civilservice/rules.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.