Position Information Under general supervision, provides expert advice to case carrying staff to assist in the provision of a variety of public assistance benefits and employment services; assists in the management of integrated cases; performs specialized caseload management and employment assignments requiring an advanced level of technical knowledge in public assistance and employment services programs; serves as lead worker and expert resource to other staff; may carry a limited caseload of the more difficult cases; and performs related duties as required. This is the lead and advanced working level in this series. Incumbents are expected to work independently and make decisions in accordance with established guidelines. Incumbents assist the unit supervisor in overseeing and guiding the work of unit staff. Incumbents perform a variety of eligibility, employment services appraisal, assessment, plan development, and specialized case management duties necessary to move clients from dependency to self-sufficiency within prescribed time limits. Incumbents serve as expert resource staff to assist management in developing, implementing and applying policies, procedures and methodologies related to employment services programs and assist with training of staff. The Integrated Case Worker series differs from the Eligibility Specialist series in that the Integrated Case Worker provides both determination of eligibility for public assistance and basic employability services. The Integrated Case Worker differs from the Employment & Training Worker series in that the latter's primary focus is in providing the full scope of employability services to eligible applicants.
Supervision Received and Exercised:
Incumbents typically receive supervision from a Supervising Integrated Case Worker or a Human Services Supervisor I. Supervision may also be received from an Employment and Training Supervisor or a Social Worker Supervisor. An Integrated Case Worker III has no responsibility for supervising others, but may provide lead direction to other Integrated Case Workers. Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Interviews, advises and guides a diverse population of clients to ascertain employability, isolate barriers to employment, evaluate need for and authorize public assistance benefits, and authorize ancillary benefits/services necessary to mitigate the impact of employment barriers
- Conducts complete appraisal of case records to assess clients' education, work experience, skills, abilities and job interest and attempts to match them with available employment opportunities
- Identifies and presents alternative solutions to client issues and problems such as transportation, financial needs, employee/employer relations, and in setting priorities
- Performs case studies to assess problems and develops appropriate types and methods of meeting client needs; participates in a multi-disciplinary team to develop an appropriate case treatment plan
- Provides guidance to case-carrying staff in the development of individual employment plans and recommends appropriate referrals to employment, training, and social services
- Maintains liaison with other department staff to ensure prompt, efficient provision of services or application of appropriate sanctions
- Leads and coordinates the work of other staff and serves as expert resource in one or more areas to guide and assist other staff in public assistance and employment services activities
- Interprets and explains regulations, rules, and policies to clients; apprises clients of their rights, responsibilities and eligibility for program participation
- May conduct field visits to monitor and investigate client progress and compliance with their employment and diversion from problems that hinder employability
- Facilitates, monitors, and schedules Focus Groups for participants in Job Search and Work Experience Sites
- Uses a computer to input client information through an automated system
- Organizes and manages client caseload, taking required action within specific time limits established by regulation and local policy
- Identifies clients who are not in compliance with employment plan and works with other staff to apply sanctions or to make other efforts to reconcile situation
- Serves as liaison with other service providers including other public agencies and professional staff
- Consults with and coordinates case management with other staff and service providers
- May consult with business, non-profit organizations, and public agencies to develop job opportunities including establishment of agreements and protocols for placement of clients
- Arranges for the administration and interpretation of vocational aptitude tests; researches labor market information
- Develops employment and training workshops
- Consults with businesses, service providers, educational entities and other organizations to identify pre-employment knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for effective transition to non-subsidized employment
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:
- Community resources providing social, health, nutrition, housing, employment, training, child care, transportation and other necessary client services
- General goals and purposes of public social services and public assistance programs
- In-depth interactive interviewing and information gathering techniques
- Laws, rules and regulations governing public funded employment and training programs
- Customary practices used in employment training and job placement
- Hiring trends and practices in the private and public sector
- General theory and techniques in career planning, vocational guidance programs and employment guidance
- Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and operation of standard and automated office equipment including basic computer applications
- Record keeping principles and practices
- Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds
Ability to:
- Read, apply, and explain complex regulations, procedures and policies governing public assistance and employment services programs
- Understand and apply vocational guidance, work-readiness appraisal, employment plan, and assessment theory and concepts
- Understand and apply methods and procedures for mitigation/reduction of barriers to employment
- Motivate clients
- Draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations, independent judgments and decisions;
- Communicate clear and accurate information regarding clients, both orally in writing
- Organize and prioritize work assignments
- Maintain accurate and systematic records
- Prepare statistical and narrative reports
- Use automated technology to maintain records and files
- Train and guide other staff in the more complex activities
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, clients, partners, outside agencies and the general public
Minimum Qualifications Pattern 1: One (1) year of full-time experience as an Integrated Case Worker II OR Pattern 2: Six (6) months of full-time experience as an Integrated Case Worker II AND completion of 15 semester (22.5 quarter) units or 15 continuing education credits in behavioral science in sociology, psychology, counseling, vocational guidance or any coursework related to the provision of employment services. This required coursework may be obtained through colleges, universities, university extension, business school, or employer provided career development training. Supplemental Information Examination Information
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION – WEIGHTED 100%
The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate’s knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.
Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin. If conditions warrant, an Experience and Education examination may be conducted in lieu of the Training and Experience Examination. Please review the Experience and Education examination information below:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION – WEIGHTED 100%
The Education & Experience examination is based solely upon information provided from the application and supplemental information (e.g., resumes, transcripts). Information provided from the application and supplemental information will be assessed compared to a standard developed in relation to the elements of the. Special care should be taken to submitting a complete description of your education and experience relevant to the typical tasks, scope, and minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin. Supplemental information will be accepted, but competitors should read this bulletin carefully to determine what kind of information will be useful to those individuals completing the evaluation. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination. Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.
Eligible List Information A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Lassen. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period. Retest Period Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date. Special Testing Arrangements Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination. Education Documents If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers. General Information This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified. If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list. General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required. Equal Employment Opportunity The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. Additional Information
- A valid driver's license may be required at the time of appointment and employees may also be required to drive their own car, provide proof of car insurance, and a DMV clearance. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Position may require pre-employment drug testing, physical and fingerprinting for a background investigation.
- Government agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. A background check may be required if the position requires access to these types of records. Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification and local law enforcement checks. Applicable agencies must conduct investigation during time of hire and ensure a reinvestigation is conducted 10 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information.
About Lassen County Lassen County is abundantly rich in natural beauty and has a terrain that affords residents year-round recreational activities. The County has excellent air quality, and its rural communities are ideal for raising families with a favorable cost of living, and low rate of crime and traffic. Lassen County is an outdoor paradise, where the beautiful Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains meet the desert of the Great Basin. Because of the unique terrain, there's something here for everyone. Elevations range from the high desert to alpine levels, and the outdoor activities are among the best in the state – from golf to horseback riding, mountain biking, running and hiking on the extensive trails.
Benefits
Merit System Services does not negotiate or determine the benefits or salaries for positions offered by its partners. For more information about benefits or salaries, please visit the listed county or child support office's website or contact their human resources department.
