Client Services Practitioner - Senior

Placer County Department of Health and Human Services is currently recruiting for Client Services Practitioner - Senior. The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill positions in Adult System of Care, Children's System of Care and/or Public Health.

Appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise. Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to 999 hours (or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants) in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits.

Additional 5% Bilingual Pay for employees who use a second language in the normal course and scope of work.

This recruitment may be used to fill both open and promotional vacancies in various County departments as they arise, subject to specific position requirements.

To perform client service case work and provide clinical treatment requiring a high level of skill and independent judgment in serving emotionally disturbed and mentally ill children, adolescents and/or adults; to provide clinical or community-based program supervision; to oversee investigations and the supervision and placement of minors in need of protective services; to oversee and provide outreach engagement; to exercise technical and functional supervision over subordinate professional staff; 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 Practitioner 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 assigned duties of a more complex nature, and by the nature of the public contact.  Employees in this job class perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including clinical program supervision or supervision of multiple community-based programs and staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives general direction from a program manager or other management position.

Exercises clinical supervision over assigned program staff and technical and functional supervision over subordinate professional staff.

• Lead and train assigned subordinate staff in various aspects of client services within designated program area(s).
• Assist in ensuring assigned program cohesiveness and quality assurance; coordinate assigned program activities with other County divisions as well as departments and outside agencies as appropriate.
• Coordinate, participate in and/or conduct comprehensive individual and family bio-psychosocial assessments for problem identification and diagnosis.
• May oversee and/or participate in developing clinical treatment plans; may determine appropriate method of treatment intervention, including program modifications; and may refer clients to a psychiatrist for medication.
• Prepare and present clinical and/or case management documentation for review by multi-disciplinary team; provide on-going consultation and systematic support for the team in its implementation of treatment programs and individual treatment plans and/or case management.
• Participate in and/or conduct group, family and individual therapy and provide other counseling as appropriate to affect client discharge/re-entry to the community.
• Perform case management duties including investigation, treatment plan monitoring, advocacy, referral and linkage to other services and crisis intervention; as appropriate, consult with staff of related agencies regarding treatment and discharge planning.
• Provide consultation, education and liaison to public and private agencies; provide training and/or make presentations to clients, care providers, community groups, referrals and the general public.
• Develop and implement multiple community-based programs in treatment and social service; coordinate and monitor program activities to ensure compliance with program outcomes.
• Maintain documentation of client contact in accordance with Department and statutory regulations and procedures; prepare case history summaries for use by other agencies as appropriate; and  file mandated reports.
• May make home/site visits and provide client transportation as necessary.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, community resources, clients, and the public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as required.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Three years of responsible experience performing duties similar to a Client Services Practitioner in Placer County with at least one year of qualifying experience at the journey level.

Training: A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, or counseling which meets the eligibility requirements for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)  by the State Board of Behavioral Science Examiners.

License or Certificate:

• May require possession of a State of California license to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
• 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 as related to providing mental health, substance abuse services and treatment, child and adult protective services and multi-disciplinary approach to treatment.
• Principles and practices used in the development of community-based programs providing treatment and social services.
• Role and interaction of human service agencies in accomplishing treatment of emotionally and mentally disturbed individuals.
• Accepted criteria for clinical diagnosis of emotional and mental disturbances as well as normal and abnormal emotional and mental development to include growth, development, and living relationships.
• Psychosocial, family, individual and group therapy and counseling treatments and prevention strategies.
• Psychotropic medication issues.
• Pertinent local, state and federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Principles used in preparing grant proposals.
• Legal and regulatory issues related to the operation and delivery of a variety of client services to individuals and groups of all ages and special needs.
• Crisis intervention and conflict resolution practices, including management of assaultive behavior, and principles of social work related to child protective services and adult services, rick and safety assessments. 
• Principles and practices of case management, including objectives, clinical diagnosis, and appropriate documentation.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job and observe safety rules; intermittently review work papers, reports and special projects; identify and problem solve client issues; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; remember clients' names; understand and explain Department policies and procedures to clients, families and the general public.
• On an intermittent basis, sit for long periods of time while at desk or driving; stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, climb or twist while retrieving files, conducting home/site visits, setting up/making presentations or observing or restraining client. See and hear with sufficient acuity to observe and be aware of client; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; and lift moderate weight.
• Provide clinical supervision and train, assign and review work of assigned subordinate staff.
• Assist in coordinating all aspects of assigned program, including identification of problems affecting program cohesion and implementation of solutions.
• Provide leadership to and work cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary team in reviewing treatment plan problems and objectives and developing recommended alternatives.
• Identify and conceptualize multiple cause situations and possible consequences; evaluate potential treatment/solutions; determine and initiate most effective course of action.
• Relate effectively and positively with assigned clients to establish trust and rapport; display empathy.
• Coordinate and prioritize work and timelines effectively for self and others.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain relevant information through interviews, observations, and the application of standard research methodologies.
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately including routine statistical analysis.
• Use a personal computer and office equipment necessary for successful job performance.
• Work weekend and evening shifts as needs of program and/or clients require.
• 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 those in management and confidential groups, 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, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. 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 Professional bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

• 4/18/2017 Minimum Qualification Screening
• 4/19/2017 Conviction Questionnaire sent
• 4/24/2017 Conviction Questionnaires Due
• Week of 4/24/2017 Eligible list Established