Social Services Assistant-Blythe MH​/SU Clinic

The Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health Department (Blythe MH/SU Clinic) is seeking a qualified Social Services Assistant to join our team in Blythe.

Under general supervision, the Social Services Assistant provides routine support to professional staff and social workers in their case management activities. Responsibilities may include coordinating social service programs, assisting applicants and recipients, and participating in outreach services for community members. The position also serves as a liaison between clients, county departments, and community agencies, and performs related duties as assigned.

This entry-level paraprofessional role is part of the social worker classification series and reports to a designated supervisory or management position. Depending on assignment, duties may include providing routine social services and resource referrals, offering supportive counseling, assisting with placement services, observing clients, and conducting basic assessments and training.

The Social Services Assistant may also perform routine investigative tasks, such as gathering information to help identify or locate missing or absent parents. This classification is distinguished from the Social Services Practitioner series, which requires advanced assessment skills and broader knowledge of social work principles.

The role supports members by providing non-emergency transportation to clinic appointments, assisting them in connecting with community resources such as the DPSS clinic, and making reminder calls to promote follow-through with services. The position also includes working with individuals who may have behavioral health or substance-use challenges in a supportive, non-clinical capacity. Duties may involve engaging with children at their level—such as sitting, kneeling, bending, or reaching—to move materials or equipment as needed, and when necessary to ensure safety or assistance, supporting or carrying a child.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Work schedule will be discussed during the interview (tentative: 9/80).

• Make home visits to assess client family environment and provide assistance, answer questions, gather data from client interviews, and coordinate resources.
• Review case records to formulate basic service plans and assist in delivery of social service plans (resource referrals, training in work skills, parenting).
• Assist clients in completing application forms for county program participation and obtaining needed services such as medical care, Cal Fresh, and transportation.
• Advocate for clients to secure services, encourage participation, and support attainment of goals.
• Assist clients in recognizing and correcting home, family, and social challenges; provide counseling on health and nutrition.
• Help clients develop parenting, job, and daily living skills; bridge training barriers and support youth in learning and practicing core skills.
• Act as liaison between professional staff and clients, clarifying instructions, providing information on social services, and connecting to county programs and resources.
• Assist clients with transportation needs for accessing county services and appointments.
• Supervise and support youth during placement, manage inventory, and record progress.
• Generate reports on client status, conduct assessments, and maintain electronic records in a centralized database.
• Provide interpretation for non‑English speaking clients when necessary.

Experience: Six months as a Community Services Assistant in any Riverside County department.

Experience: One year performing client‑directed services in a social service, healthcare, mental health, or non‑county agency.

Education: Completion of 15 semester or 24 quarter units from an accredited college or university, preferably with coursework in psychology, sociology, social welfare, or a related field.

Knowledge of: Basic public social service programs, public assistance policies, laws, rules, and regulations, current issues in social services, behavioral patterns, cultural and ethnic attitudes, and basic principles of interviewing…