Social Services Advocate

THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, at the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to enhance the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play a crucial role not only in shaping our City today but also in influencing the future of San Francisco.

• Compensation: $106,054.00 to $135,304.00 Yearly
• Eligible List Duration: resulting from this examination process will be continuous.
• List ID: CBT-2940-X00050

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

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

Our Commitment to Racial Equity

As we strive towards our vision of an inclusive San Francisco, we embrace our responsibility to eliminate systemic racism by creating services and a workforce that reflect the lived experiences and strengths of the people we serve. We are dedicated to fostering a work environment where our differences are celebrated and everyone has what they need to thrive—regardless of their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin.

Under general supervision, positions in class 2940 Social Services Advocate within the Office of the Public Conservator in the Department of Aging and Adult Services provide a broad range of clinical and advocacy services to temporary and permanent conservatees, along with collateral contact with a multidisciplinary team. Generally, an average caseload consists of approximately 65 clients, which may vary based on case intensity and program capacity.

The target population of this office includes individuals who are gravely disabled, unable to provide for their basic needs due to chronic mental illness and/or chronic alcoholism, as defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM). This population may also include individuals involved with the Criminal Justice System, currently held in jail, state hospitals, or other facilities designated for those who have committed or are alleged to have committed a crime.

The Office of Conservatorship Services manages an average caseload of 700, with about half of these individuals placed outside of San Francisco County in either locked psychiatric facilities or residential care homes. Therefore, travel is necessary to meet the needs of the conservatees and comply with service mandates by State and County regulations. The average number of miles driven per month is approximately 350.

The 2940 position is responsible for managing an independent caseload and is assigned mental health (LPS) conservatorship investigations. This involves interaction with Mental Health Court, including Public Defender and District Attorney, Department of Public Health, hospitals, jails, and community agencies. In addition to assessments and making recommendations for levels of care, the advocate is also responsible for advocating these recommendations, which may sometimes conflict with the interests of other stakeholders.

Basic computer skills are required to perform charting on electronic systems, emailing, and other necessary documentation.

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; additional duties may be assigned:

1. Conduct investigations to determine eligibility for psychiatric care and services, including interviews and information gathered from collateral sources.
2. Conduct regular in-person visits in various settings, including jails, state hospitals, inpatient acute psychiatric units, locked psychiatric treatment centers, and skilled nursing facilities, as well as community settings.
3. Conduct crisis interventions during business hours or after hours.
4. Complete time-sensitive court reports and provide expert testimony to the Superior Court as needed.
5. Evaluate and approve psychiatric treatment and medications included in clients' care plans.
6. Continually assess the appropriateness of placements and the least restrictive level of care.
7. Complete various applications and forms related to placement, legal, financial, and medical issues.
8. Document cases in a clinically significant and timely manner.
9. Work collaboratively with other city departments, including Public Health, Police, Jail, and City Attorney's Office.

1. Education: Possession of a master's degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE);

OR

A Master's Degree from a two-year (2) counseling program from an accredited college or university. (Qualifying Master's Degrees in counseling include Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, and Counseling Psychology that included a supervised field placement as part of the course curriculum).

AND

2. Experience: Satisfactory completion of two semesters of graduate field placement which involved the provision of direct services to elders and/or dependent adults and/or adults with physical, cognitive, or mental health disabilities in one of the following or closely related areas: Adult Protective Services, intensive case management such as MSSP/Linkages, medical social work in a hospital or clinic, mental health program/agency, home health agency, or alcohol and drug counseling and treatment program.

OR

Six (6) months post-baccalaureate professional work experience which involved the provision of direct services to elders, dependents, or adults in one of the areas previously described.

AND

3. License & Certification:

• Possession of a valid California class C driver's license and clear Motor Vehicle Record (MVR);

AND

1. Possession of a valid Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) OR
2. Current proof of registration as an Associate Social Worker (ASW) intern issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS); OR
3. Possession of a valid Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS); OR
4. Current proof of registration as a valid Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (MFTI) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS); OR
5. Possession of a valid Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS); OR
6. Current proof of registration as a Professional Clinical Counselor Intern (PCCI) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).

***Please note: With your application, please upload copies of your Master's degree or transcripts and valid permanent or temporary license issued by the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an attachment.***

Special Condition

• Twelve (12) months experience working with Mental Health Programs

Note: Applicants who will receive their Master's degree by the end of the current semester/quarter may submit a written request to be placed on the eligible list under waiver pending receipt of the Master's degree; for these applicants, appointment referral is contingent upon verification of the required education and experience.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications requirements by the time the application is submitted unless applicants provide a written request to be placed on the eligible list under waiver pending receipt of the Master's degree.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.

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.

Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training, and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification, or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedures:

Training and Experience Evaluation (Weight: 100%)

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take a Training and Experience Evaluation. Successful applicants will be placed on the eligible list/score report, in rank order, according to their final score. A Training and Experience Evaluation will be utilized. The information provided by candidates in the job application, required verification, and applicable documentation will be evaluated in terms of duration and relevance to the 2940 Social Services Advocate job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities for placement on the eligible list.

Note: The department may utilize additional selection procedures to make a final hiring decision. Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles when directed by the Human Resources Director.

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ): Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Eligible List/Score Report:

A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores, and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see.

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.] The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources 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.

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

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Veterans Preference
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

How to Apply:

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit and begin the application process.

• Select the "I'm Interested" button and follow instructions on the screen.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the appropriate addresses.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

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

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.