PROTECTIVE SERVICES QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST

THE JOB: Under general direction, to carry out case review activities for the Protective Services programs by assessing and monitoring the quality of services provided; implementing quality improvement measures to ensure that services are performed efficiently and in accordance with laws, regulations and quality standards. The current vacancy is for child welfare case reviews and is in the Planning and Evaluation Division. This eligible list will be used to fill current vacancies and any future vacancies during the life of the list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these would be:   

Four years of protective services casework experience equivalent to a Senior Social Worker in Santa Cruz County,

OR

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a major in Social Work, Social Welfare, Human Services or one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences and three years of protective services casework experience,

OR

A Master's degree in Social Work or a Master's degree from a two-year counseling program from an accredited college and one year of protective services casework experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS: Certain positions may require Case Review Certification per State requirement within six months of hire. Background Investigation:  Ability to pass a background investigation. Fingerprinting is required. Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of protective services programs serving children and families and/or the elderly and disabled; social work theory, principles and practices in the field of protective services; interviewing and case documentation principles and practices. Working knowledge of program review techniques using quantitative and qualitative data; data collection skills, including quantitative and qualitative analysis; practices and procedures related to Continuous Quality Improvement. Some knowledge of initiating and maintaining collaborative interpersonal relations; Microsoft Office tools (e.g.: Excel, Word, and Power Point); communication and writing skills; public speaking and effective communication with a wide range of diverse audiences, including managers, supervisors and front-line program staff;  web-based online applications used to enter case review responses and information.

Ability to:  Prepare clear and concise oral and written reports;  access, input and analyze data using a computer;  initiate and maintain collaborative relationships; collect, review and compile data to establish/identify compliance and/or quality management issues;  evaluate program activities and recommend policy and procedure changes;  analyze information from a variety of sources;  recommend programmatic changes to enhance effective service delivery and improve outcomes; interview clients, service providers, collaterals, staff and other stakeholders;  and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years.  Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.

HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.

MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans.  For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.

DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.

VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.

RETIREMENT  – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years.  County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 

LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy.  Employee may purchase additional life insurance.

SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.

DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”

H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.

HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement.  If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list.  The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants.  If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.  Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer