The Human Services Agency (HSA) of County of San Mateo is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Children’s Services Social Worker II/III in the Children and Family Services (CFS) Branch.
About Children and Family Services (CFS)
Child and Family Services (CFS) is committed to protecting children and strengthening families. We screen and investigate allegations of abuse and neglect 24/7, with social workers playing a vital role in assessing safety concerns and supporting families in crisis. Flexibility is required for this position as it may require working nights, weekends, holidays, and taking on-call assignments with applicable differential pay per the AFSCME MOU.
When a child must be temporarily removed for safety, our goal is to help families resolve concerns quickly so children can return to a safe and loving home. We provide intensive case management at every stage and offer specialized programs, including our Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) and Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC), to support youth with higher needs. Additionally, young adults (18-21) in Non-Minor Dependent status receive extended foster care services to help them build essential life skills.
If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families, we welcome you to apply!
About this Position
Children’s Services Social Workers (CSSWs) provide intensive casework services to children and families involved in child welfare, ensuring child safety 24/7. This work is both challenging and rewarding, as CSSWs support families facing trauma from abuse, neglect, financial hardships, addiction, mental health issues, discrimination, and racism. In this role, you will engage families in developing safety and case plans, coordinate with service providers and the courts, and manage cases to help children and families achieve stability and well-being. At this time, most new CSSWs are placed in Emergency Response, investigating allegations of abuse and neglect and supporting children and families in crisis.
Minimum Qualifications
Level II ($43.61 – $54.51 Hourly):
- Bachelor’s degree (human behavioral sciences) + 2 years of related experience OR
- Master’s degree (Social Work or related field) + 1 year of related experience.
Level III ($51.43 – $64.32 Hourly):
- Master’s in Social Work (child welfare emphasis) + 1 year of experience/internship in public child welfare OR
- Master’s in Social Work (non-child welfare) or related field + 2 years as a CSSW II in San Mateo County OR
- Bachelor’s degree (human behavioral sciences) + 3 years as a CSSW II in San Mateo County.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is dedicated to promoting safety, permanency, and well-being for children and families, aligning with national child welfare goals. They have experience engaging individuals who have
experienced trauma and working collaboratively with families from diverse backgrounds to develop effective solutions.
Experience & Knowledge:
- Experience in trauma-informed assessment, intervention, and engagement with individuals facing adversity.
- Strong background in problem-solving with families from diverse backgrounds.
- Familiarity with child welfare practices that prioritize safety and family-centered solutions.
Key Skills & Qualities:
- Commitment to keeping children safely at home and in their communities through family partnerships.
- Dedication to addressing racial disparities and disproportionality within child welfare.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to juggle multiple priorities, including paperwork and documentation.
- Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, for collaboration with families, the Court system, community partners, and Child and Family Services (CFS) staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Spanish proficiency is highly desirable; candidates must pass a Spanish fluency examination to qualify for additional compensation.
How to Apply
To apply for this exciting career opportunity, please submit the following materials online
at https://jobs.smcgov.org by Monday, April 14, 2025:
- Employment Application Form
- Responses to Supplemental Questions
For recruitment questions, contact Arlene Cahill at acahill@smcgov.org.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $43.61 – $64.32 per hour Work Location: In person
Job Announcement URL: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanmateo/jobs/4863257/childrens-services-…
Benefits
Please visit www.smcgov.org/media/100151/download?inline= for a complete listing of all benefits for this classification.
Benefits are offered to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. All benefits are subject to change.
As an additional benefit, the County offers extensive training and development programs designed to improve skills and enhance career opportunities. Most programs are offered on County time at no cost to you.
County employees are also covered by the federal Social Security system and earn benefits for retirement based on salary and time worked.
