Integrated Case Worker I/II

Job Summary:

The County of Del Norte is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Integrated Case Worker I/II to join our team. As an Integrated Case Worker, you will be responsible for providing public assistance and employment services to clients, including determining eligibility for multiple aid programs, providing basic employment services, and performing casework management duties.

• Determine eligibility for multiple public assistance programs and provide basic employment services to clients.
• Conduct group orientations and workshops to inform applicants and recipients of fundamental policies, programs, changes in rules, individual rights and responsibilities, and participation requirements.
• Interview, advise, and guide a diverse population of clients to ascertain employability, isolate barriers to employment, evaluate need for public assistance, determine benefit eligibility, identify need for ancillary services/payments, and authorize benefits and ancillary services/payments.
• Handle crisis situations by authorizing benefits within specific guidelines or making appropriate referrals to other staff and community resources for immediate services and assistance.
• Conduct initial appraisal of case records to assess client's education, work experience, skills, abilities, and job interest in order to advise and guide the client in their transition to employment and place the client in an appropriate employment services component.
• Perform case studies to assess problems and develop appropriate types and methods of meeting client needs.
• May participate in a multi-disciplinary team to develop an appropriate case treatment plan.
• Assist clients with transportation, training, and other ancillary needs through authorization of ancillary services/payments and/or referral to other community resources or by provision of other assistance.
• Identify clients with existing or potential social behavioral, mental health, substance abuse, or other substantial barriers to employment for referral to other department staff or community resources.
• Analyze financial, employment, family, and personal information to determine and authorize initial or continuing eligibility for multiple aid programs.
• May develop and/or conduct classes designed to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining employment, including classes in understanding the methods for seeking and securing employment, enhancing their job readiness, and in obtaining employment.
• Interpret and explain policies, rules, and regulations to clients, and apprise clients of their rights, responsibilities, and eligibility for program participation.
• Resolve problems and discrepancies with information provided by securing documentation, medical condition substantiation, employment records, and aid confirmation from other agencies.
• Ensure client application and declaration forms are completed accurately and thoroughly, and obtain supporting information from clients and sources as required.
• Conduct diversion evaluations to identify and recommend lump sum benefits for clients with immediate job prospects where receipt of such benefits would permit continuation or acquisition of employment.
• Determine when a client is not in compliance with employment program requirements and apply sanctions as mandated, and conduct client reconciliation interviews to bring clients back into conformity with requirements.
• Use a computer to input client information through an automated system.
• Organize and manage client caseload, taking required action within specific time limits established by regulation and local policy.
• Maintain case record files, modify client employment plan and eligibility files as necessary, and monitor client compliance with program standards and agreements.
• Consult with and coordinate case management with other staff and service providers.
• May serve as a one-stop assistant to assist and guide the public in applying and understanding the resources and available services.
• May conduct field visits to complete application interviews, monitor client progress, and compliance with their Welfare-to-Work Plans.

• One (1) year of full-time experience as an Eligibility Worker II or Social Worker I, or six (6) months of full-time experience as an Eligibility Worker II and completion of the equivalent 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.
• Knowledge of regulations and procedures governing eligibility determinations and granting of aid for assigned program areas, 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, techniques for interviewing and gathering information from a varied population, labor market and needed employment skills and abilities, mathematics sufficient to interpret client income and expense information to calculate benefits within program requirements, group presentation techniques, standard office practices and procedures, including operation of standard and automated office equipment, including basic computer applications, record keeping principles and practices, and techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to read, apply, and explain regulations, procedures, and policies governing employment services programs, understand and apply vocational guidance, work-readiness appraisal, employment plan, assessment theory, and concepts, understand and apply methods and procedures for mitigation/reduction of barriers to employment, apply appropriate case-management techniques, motivate clients, collect and analyze data, information, and situations, draw logical conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations, independent judgments, and decisions, communicate clear and accurate information regarding clients, both orally and in writing, organize and prioritize work assignments, maintain accurate and systematic records, prepare statistical and narrative reports, understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures, use automated technology to maintain records and files, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, clients, and the general public, and carry out assignments and projects without detailed instructions.

• A generous package of benefits, including health and dental care benefits, life insurance, and a retirement plan.
• Paid annual leave: 10 working days per year for 1-5 years of continuous service, 15 working days per year for 6-10 years of continuous service, 20 working days per year for 11-15 years of continuous service, and 25 working days per year for 16 years or higher of continuous service.
• Sick leave: 1 day of sick leave with pay for each month of service from the date of employment.
• Holidays: 13 working days each year.
• Floating holidays: 3 working days each fiscal year.
• Retirement: The County is a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) integrated with Social Security.
• Group insurance: The County pays a portion of the employee's group health, dental, and life insurance premiums with dependent health and dental care benefits available at group rates.
• Voluntary deferred compensation plan: Employees may elect to have a percentage of their salary deferred for pre-tax investment.