County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under Supervision, to be responsible for the care, custody, behavior and welfare of neglected and abused children; to supervise children's play and living activities, teaching them proper health and social habits; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Child Care Worker II’s supervise and care for a group of children in the male or female 8-18 year old living units in Snedigar Cottage, a Division of the Welfare Department of the Social Services Agency. They are scheduled for assignments by the Assistant Director or Director, Snedigar Cottage, or Supervising Child Care Workers. They are required to function with a high level of counseling skills and supervisory ability in being able to plan, develop and lead diversionary activities. They are differentiated from the higher level of Supervising Child Care Worker in that they are not assigned supervisory responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Observes conduct and behavior of dependents and maintains order and discipline as necessary; keeps members of the living unit occupied with constructive activities; reports severe disciplinary problems to Supervising Child Care Workers for proper disposition.

2. Attempts to socialize behavior and maintain a stable living environment among the Cottage population by individual and group counseling; counsels on personal problems; such as relationships with peers, school difficulties, and employment opportunities; teaches and encourages good manners, sportsmanship, and proper attitudes toward work, play and citizenship; comforts upset and disturbed children.

3. Maintains proper living standards and health habits by instructing in personal hygiene, by overseeing daily routine hygiene practices, by checking for and reporting illness, by giving medications ordered by physicians, and by supervising during mealtime periods.

4. Maintains safety and security in the living units; inspects facilities for safety or health hazards.

5. Plans, organizes and supervises leisure time activities such as games, athletics, and crafts and encourages participation; instructs in the rules of various games and in craft methods; referees games and organizes tournaments.

6. Prepares observation reports on children's attitudes, behavior, appearance, interests, skills, progress and needs; keeps the unit log up to date.

7. Assists in the admitting and release operation; registers and stores personal belongings; weighs and measures children, checking for marks, bruises, and infection; outfits the children with clothing and explains Cottage procedures.

8. May transport children to and from court appearances, medical appointments or other situations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of experience in a Child Care or counseling class equivalent to or higher than Child Care Worker Intermittent in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

Education:

Completion of two years of study at an accredited college or university,

And

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of experience at a level equivalent to or higher than Child Care Worker II in a facility for the care of abandoned, abused or neglected children.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• General emotional and behavior patterns of children displaced from their homes for various reasons.
• Causes of displacement of children from their natural homes.
• General practices of working with adolescents.
• Standard health practices and first aid.
• Principles and practices surrounding the care, safety and custody of children sheltered at the Cottage under court order.

Abilities:

• Securing the respect and confidence of the sheltered adolescents.
• Fostering good qualities and personal characteristics in the children.
• Supervising recreational activities.
• Preparing meaningful and accurate observational reports.
• Planning recreational and diversionary programs.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

JFD:lh
6/16/75
Retyped: 6/85
Old document: 0622h
New document: Jobspecs/6282
ys/8/01
CSC Date: 6/16/75