Social Worker IV-A​/IV-B

Overview

Under general direction, the Social Worker IV A/B performs casework of an advanced nature dealing with complex individual and family problems; undertakes intensive treatment plans and counseling requiring professional knowledge and training; performs other related work as assigned.

Social Worker IV A/B requires a Master s degree and social work case management experience in a public or private social services agency. This is the highest non-supervisory level in the series. Incumbents perform casework requiring the application of high level and sophisticated social services expertise and techniques, generally in areas such as adult and child protective services.

The MQ patterns of the SW IV-B mirror the patterns for the SW IV-A. The distinguishing difference is that the SW IV-B requires one additional year of experience from what is required for the SW IV-A.

Social Worker IV differs from the next higher class of Social Worker Supervisor I in that the latter is the first supervisory level. Social Worker IV differs from Social Worker III in that the latter does not require both a Master s degree and qualifying experience.

Supervisor relationships:
Social Worker IV A/B receives supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor or other higher-level supervisor or manager pursuant to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) Division 31 regulations (31.070). A Social Worker IV A/B may provide lead direction to lower level Social Workers or service employees.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

• Knowledge of: Principles and practices of organization, workload management, and time management.
• Knowledge of: Principles and practices of note taking, report writing, English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Knowledge of: Phone etiquette and interview techniques.
• Knowledge of: Principles and practices of counseling, bio-psychosocial assessments and therapy.
• Knowledge of: Physical and mental health principles and the impact on the personality.
• Knowledge of: Local socio-economic conditions, trends, and current problems and methodology in the field of public social services.
• Knowledge of: Basic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording the social casework.
• Knowledge of: Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the public welfare agency and the role and responsibilities of a social worker.
• Knowledge of: Community organizations and social problems calling for the use of public and private community resources.
• Knowledge of: Basic principles involved in the nature, growth and development of personality, and in-group processes.
• Knowledge of: Basic principles of individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of: Current issues in the field of social welfare.
• Knowledge of: Principles of analysis and problem-solving methodology.
• Knowledge of: Basic public welfare programs on the Federal, State, and local level.
• Knowledge of: General principles of public assistance policies and programs.
• Knowledge of: Medical, legal, economic, and social management needs of individuals and families with special medical needs such as HIV disease, drug dependency, the medically fragile child, Alzheimer s, and the terminally ill.
• Knowledge of: Crisis intervention techniques such as voice modulation and assessing the potential for suicide.
• Knowledge of: Psychopathology, mental illness diagnoses, and related services.
• Knowledge of: Signs, stages and dynamics of abuse, and effects on child/adult development and behavior.
• Knowledge of: Signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug use/abuse in adults and children and effects on families.
• Knowledge of: Standards for maintaining clients safely in home; options for placement; effects of removing clients from unsafe situations.

• Ability to: Apply the principles of child psychology and family relationships.
• Ability to: Evaluate personal psychological factors in the child and/or family s situation.
• Ability to: Recognize signs of abuse for children, the elderly and dependent adults; assess risk factors and potential dangers to clients.
• Ability to: Act effectively in stressful situations.
• Ability to: Demonstrate skill in the more difficult casework areas.
• Ability to: …