Client Services Counselor - Senior

The Adult System of Care Division of the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking to fill a vacancy of Client Services Counselor - Senior within the Public Guardian's Office. Public Guardian/Conservator safeguards clients and their estates that are placed on conservatorship; obtains legal authority to place and treat clients, ensuring that 24-hour oversight is provided to safeguard the basic needs of the individuals. This division is responsible with investigating and administering estates; arrange for disposition of decedent's remains.

To perform assigned professional case management and direct client services of a complex and specialized nature utilizing a high level of competence and independent judgment; to prepare treatment and/or other individualized plans for clients; to exercise technical and functional supervision over assigned staff/team members; and to function as an integral and supportive member of assigned departmental and multi-disciplinary team(s).

This is the advanced journey level class in the Client Services Counselor series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing the duties and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including performing assignments involving individualized treatment and specialized application of casework methods and exercising technical and functional supervision over assigned staff/team members.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives general direction from a supervisory/management position.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over clerical and assigned staff/team members.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Train and lead subordinate staff in assigned program areas; oversee and instruct volunteers, students, and extra help personnel.
• Conduct intake and screen applicants for designated services; review investigations and case studies utilized in the determination of the needs and qualifications of applicants/clients; determine appropriate services necessary and/or applicable to most effectively meet client needs.
• Provide counseling and case management to assigned clients on an on-going basis; monitor and document treatment plans and activity strategies, provide linkage and refer clients to other departmental and/or community services/resources, conduct home/work site visits, and monitor and assess client status on an on-going basis.
• Coordinate and oversee clients involved in the learning and performance of designated living/working skills; evaluate and track the level of functional behavior; teach/train clients in appropriate behaviors/skills utilizing multi-disciplinary team approach; and assist clients with re-entry into the community and/or work place.
• Participate in the development and on-going implementation of treatment plans, activities strategies, and other individualized programs to include behavior modification, basic financial management, social and workplace skills, job search, and other activities necessary for independent living; observe and interact with clients families, employers, and other involved participants in a defined and professional manner and record observations and interactions.
• Assess applicant/client status and abilities relative to assigned program acceptance, appropriate placement, and/or on-going participation; conduct needs assessments, administer tests, and apply standardized criteria in making determinations and recommendations.
• Identify and report potential crisis situations or, within established procedures, apply appropriate intervention; document activities, behavior, incidents and interactions; be alert to all conditions and situations involving clients; counsel clients and provide positive role model behavior.
• Provide limited crisis intervention or conflict resolution in emergency/stressful situations requiring immediate attention.
• Lead group discussions and interactions regarding assigned program area and activities and the clients' participation in these activities; provide input and act as a resource to clients in a group environment.
• Provide outreach and referral networks to the community, general public, local employers, as well as public and private agencies; conduct training workshops and/or presentations to clients, care providers, community groups and the general public.
• Participate in and contribute to an inter-agency and community networking/referral system; evaluate clients' needs relative to appropriate program referrals; maintain close communication with contract providers, employers and community service agencies to ensure treatment plan/ activities strategies and client needs are being met in a successful manner.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees community resources, clients, and the general public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

Experience: Two years of responsible client service case management performing duties similar to a Client Services Counselor II with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, sociology, economics or a related field.

Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

 
Or:

Possession of a license issued by the State of California as a Psychiatric Technician.

License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of social work, social intervention and counseling techniques, practices and methodologies.
• Current socio-economic conditions and trends.
• Pertinent federal, state and local statutes and regulations governing public welfare.
• Community and consultative resources, both public and private available to assist clients.
• Investigative and interviewing techniques and methodologies.
• Case management techniques, methodologies and appropriate documentation.
• Basic medical and psychiatric terminology, including diagnoses, medications and treatment.
• Techniques used in individual/group care and treatment of designated client population, including the multi-disciplinary approach to treatment/assistance.
• Modern office procedures, methods and designated computer hardware and software and its applications.
• Standard and accepted English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar; basic mathematical methodologies and calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; explain applicable Department policies and procedures to applicants and clients.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time or while driving; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat or kneel while retrieving or returning files, documents and supplies and making copies; walk, stand, bend, squat, kneel, climb or twist while conducting home/site visits or transporting client; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with sufficient acuity to observe and assess physical condition and living environment of client; and lift moderate weight.
• Train, assign, review and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Plan and carry out the activities of a designated and specialized program area.
• Develop adequate and appropriate case plans.
• Prioritize caseload demands relative to both urgency and importance.
• Effectively interview individuals who may be physically, mentally and/or emotionally impaired or distressed.
• Work cooperatively as part of a team providing a variety of services to designated client population.
• Relate positively to clients; establish trust and rapport; and display empathy.
• Manage multiple caseloads and deal firmly and courteously with the public.
• Evaluate, assess, and/or diagnose designated client/applicant needs and requests; respond quickly and effectively utilizing a variety of accepted and appropriate interventions and approaches.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Prepare thorough documentation and maintain accurate and systematic records.
• Formulate treatment and service plans for assigned clients.
• Provide case management in the more difficult or complex situations that require a high degree of skill and independent judgment.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Work unusual and odd hours when assigned to emergency response.
• Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine, postage meter and photocopy machine.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both in oral and written form.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

 

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

 

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Schedule:

Minimum Qualifications Screening 8/5/2016

Conviction Questionnaires Sent 8/5/2016

Conviction Questionnaire Due Back 8/9/2016

Eligible List Established 8/10/2016