*BILINGUAL CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*
**CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATION EXPERIENCE HIGHLY DESIRED**
Fast paced San Bernardino based law firm is seeking a compassionate and highly motivated Investigative Social Worker to assess risk, safety, along with the developmental, psychosocial and educational needs of children of all ages.
Strong investigative skills are also a must as conducting home assessments and forensic interviews of children are primary responsibilities.
Investigative Social Workers provide vitally important information to Attorneys about our clients. Investigators are responsible for visiting clients in their home placements, at school, in hospital settings, and other locations, to gather information from and about our clients. This includes information about the conditions of the home, health and safety concerns, developmental progress, medical and educational issues, service needs and family relationships.
Investigative Social Workers should have a working knowledge of the various types of child abuse including but not limited to neglect, physical, emotional & sexual abuse, along with a working knowledge of child development, domestic violence, child sexual exploitation, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Investigators must have an ability to connect with children and gain their trust. They must be able to work with children of all ages, genders, religions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Duties include, and are not limited to:
- Visit with clients, caretakers and others in order to develop a trusting and professional relationship with clients
- Interview caretakers and children, to the extent possible, in order to observe and document the children’s current living situation, developmental progress and emotional wellbeing
- During client contact, the investigator is expected to note any services that have not been implemented, that may need to be implemented, or any other issues for attorney review
- Evaluate and recommend the need for further or different services that may be beneficial to the child and the family
- Identify services in the community and make referrals as needed
- Assist attorneys with client interviews
- Serve as duty day investigator in the office
- Communicate regularly with the attorneys, both verbally and in writing, regarding status of caseloads and assignments and with all relevant information regarding the client
- With general direction from the attorney, attend Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, TDM and similar team decision making meetings, DCFS and placement staffing, hospital screenings and Regional Center conferences
- Manage and maintain caseload.
Frequently exercise discretion and independent judgment while in the field, and at meetings, conferences and hearings attended as the sole representative of the law firm.
Investigative Social Workers work under limited day-to-day supervision of Investigator Supervisor and Attorneys. Within a very short turn-around time, the Investigative Social Worker is responsible for annotating the client file with all observation notes and information obtained from the interview, and when necessary makes recommendations to the case-carrying attorney.
They immediately respond to any inquiries regarding case status from their supervisors and seek assistance from supervisors when prudent or required. Investigators attend and participate in training sessions, and attend staff meetings.
Investigative Social Workers are to be flexible, have a team player attitude and be willing to assist other Investigators as requested by supervisors. They are to be professional, patient, and understanding when interacting with clients, caregivers, colleagues and supervisors. Investigative Social Workers are to have a pleasant demeanor in the office and demonstrate effective communication with colleagues and supervisors.
Minimum Qualifications:
- The desired candidate will possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work or a related field and at least 2+ years of social services experience. Some experience with Juvenile Dependency Court is preferred but not required.
This is a full-time position. Salary will commensurate with experience. The starting annual salary range is from $70,000 - $110,000 depending on experience level. We offer employees a complete benefits package.
Additional Requirements in order to be considered for the position, candidates must possess the following qualifications:
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills;
- Ability to multi-task; Excellent organizational skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to build rapport with clients (primarily children);
- Ability to provide empathetic support while maintaining professional boundaries;
- Proven work experience as a social worker or related field;
- Ability to monitor and evaluate clients’ progress and modify treatment plans accordingly;
- Offer information and recommendations regarding the best course of action based on client evaluation and best interest;
- Ability to maintain accurate records and report on clients’ status in timely manner;
- Must possess a valid California Driver's License and good driving record.
- Must be willing to submit to background checks;
We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth. If you are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of others and meet the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding position as an Investigative Social Worker.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
