The County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency is currently accepting applications for
SENIOR PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER
This is a promotional opportunity open to current County of San Diego employees. Temporary employees, with the exception of Certified Temporary employees, are not eligible for promotional recruitments. For more information, please click on this link to review the FAQ on Promotional Recruitments.
Interviews will take place on August 29, 2026. Job offers for selected candidates will be made by September 21, 2026.
Senior Protective Services Workers perform difficult, complex, or sensitive protective services assignments involving child abuse investigations, consultation, and casework for children and adults in protective services programs; and provide technical guidance and training to Protective Service Workers, Social Workers, or support staff. Incumbents may also act in the absence of a Protective Services Supervisor.
Click the following link for the complete Senior Protective Services Worker job description including examples of qualifying education and experience, working conditions, and more information regarding the position.
Hiring Process and Timeline
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
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Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
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Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
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Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited U. S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency with at least twenty-four (24) units in the behavioral sciences, AND, three (3) years of experience performing protective services casework or performing intervention service related to casework as a Protective Services Worker for the County of San Diego or an equivalent public protective services agency; OR,
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A master's degree from an accredited U. S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in social work, child development, health and human services, psychology, sociology, counseling, criminal justice, or a closely related field in the areas of behavioral or social science; completed graduate school curriculum must have included at least one (1) semester or two (2) quarters of a field supervision practicum or internship, AND, two (2) years of experience performing protective services casework or performing intervention service related to casework as a Protective Service Worker for the County of San Diego or an equivalent public protective services agency.
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The term "public protective services agency" is defined as that of any U.S. state or County agency providing services comparable to the Health and Human Services Agency.
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Some positions in this class perform duties that require the possession of a master's degree, as mandated by the State of California.
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In order to meet the minimum educational requirements listed above, applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency before or at the time of application.
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Some assignments may require possession of a current passport to travel outside the United States.
Blind Applicant Screening
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Conditions of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a
six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our Strategic Plan (sandiegocounty.gov) (Download PDF reader).
Disaster Service Workers
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset, and our customers are our number one priority.
