Social Worker - Senior
- Summary
- Public Health – Seattle and King County values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.
The Jail Health Services Division of Public Health- Seattle & King County is seeking a Social Worker Senior to join our team! This is a Career Service Opportunity!
The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide clinical and program support to the Jail Health Services (JHS) Release Planning program and team. The candidate chosen for this position will work as part of the Release Planning Team and will be responsible for intensive case management of an assigned panel of inmate-patients. Jail Health Release Planners work to identify and collaborate with key external/internal medical, mental health and social services providers to ensure continuity of care and to facilitate the inmate-patients successful transition to and engagement with services outside of jail.
The incumbent will train and on-board new staff, plan and facilitate the provision of customer services, and assist staff with complex or difficult cases. This position is to help support the day-to-day operations of the Release Planning team. This position does not have supervisory authority. Therefore, is not a position that will evaluate clinical performance but will rather assist with quality assurance and improvement. This position will serve as liaison to and represent the Health Department within community groups. The incumbent will work with the Release Planning team to problem-solve systems issues and clinical problems as needed and will escalate concerns to the JHS Release Planning Manager to facilitate resolution when necessary.
Who May Apply:
This full time, career service position is open to all qualified applicants.
Work Location:
King County Correctional Facility (Seattle) will be the primary work location although if needed will need to be available to work at the Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent).
Work Schedule:
Release Planning provides coverage Monday through Friday and on weekends as needed. Alternative work schedules are considered on a case by case basis and based on the need of the team. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.
- Job Duties
- Effectively work directly with community providers in trouble shooting any service delivery issues by identifying process issues or barriers and identifying solutions. Consulting with the Release Planning Manager as needed.
- Maintain a broad working knowledge and good professional relationship with key community substance abuse treatment facilities, social and health/mental health care providers, and criminal justice and corrections personnel. Identify and foster new possibilities for effective collaboration with outside providers.
- Serve on workgroups and committees working to assure appropriate standards of patient care in order to represent patient interests and the programmatic concerns of the Release Planning Department.
- Act as the point person for on-boarding new Release Planning hires. Oversee and schedule orientation activities and meet with the new hire(s) regularly to assist in the on-boarding process.
- Regularly scheduled review, updating and reinforcement of standard work and ongoing standardization
- Ongoing problem-solving using Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) with the Release Planning staff.
- Oversee program area by determining work and shift assignments of release planning staff, interpreting procedural guidelines, ensuring standard work compliance, assisting caseworker.
- Assist with the establishment of performance standards and goals, including customer service workflows and timelines.
- Conduct comprehensive, culturally sensitive psychosocial assessments to identify salient concerns and to inform the development of a comprehensive Release Plan.
- Collaborate with the inmate-patient to develop, document and execute individualized release plans that effectively address the inmate-patient's critical concerns during incarceration and engagement with mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, medical care, and other key services following release.
- Coordinate internal services through close collaboration with medical, psychiatric, nursing, dental, and pharmacy staff at KCCF/MRJC employees and the staff of other King County departments (including the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention and the Department of Community and Human Services). Assist external care and service providers to maintain or re-establish services for their incarcerated patients.
- Provide forensic case management by closely monitoring an inmate-patients legal context to be able to anticipate release. Collaborate closely with defense attorneys; city/county prosecutors; probation and corrections staff; as authorized by the inmate-patient in order to support the effective implementation of the patient's Release Plan.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Masters' Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, or Counseling from an accredited university.
- Demonstrated extensive direct clinical experience providing social work services for a population with complex medical, mental health and/or substance use issues. Preferable justice-involved.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate the work of designated Social Workers, associated staff, and provide authoritative technical and analytical assistance and guidance.
- Demonstrated ability to train staff, plan and facilitate the provision of customer services, and assist staff with complex or difficult cases.
- Extensive knowledge of fundamental social work principles, methodology and ethics.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary team with internal treatment planning and execution of treatment plan.
- Ability to work effectively and problem solve with non-medical or social services personnel, including members of the Corrections staff.
- Skill in fostering client self-determination and empowerment within the therapeutic alliance. Demonstrated skills in effective strategies to increase client motivation to change high-risk behavior.
- Working knowledge of medical, mental health, and substance abuse conditions, related terminology, and their treatment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of King County community social/health care services and entitlement systems in King County, including HIV/AIDS, mental health, and substance abuse resources.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, while remaining organized and detail-oriented in an often-changing environment.
Desired Qualifications:- Social Work or Mental Health licensure (LICSW, LASW, LMHC, or recognized equivalent).
- Proficiency in a language other than English.
- Substance Use Disorder Professional certification
- Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Application Process (submit electronically):
- Job Application with completed supplemental questions.
- Resume.
You can attach multiple documents if necessary or required, such as your cover letter or resume to your application. Your options are:
- Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.
- Attach multiple documents/files in the resume attachment section.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Contact:
For more information about the application process please contact Mark Lacy at mlacy@kingcounty.gov.
Your application materials must validate your answers to the supplemental questions. If your answers cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the process.
The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation.
This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs/applying.aspx
Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.
If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Applicants from this job posting may be used to fill temporary or other positions in this classification for a period of up to a year.
Additional Information:
Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:
- Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution;
- Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
- Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.
Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone. The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.
Union Affiliation:
Positions in this classification are represented by the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local #17.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Do you have a Master's degree in social work, psychology, behavioral health or counseling from an accredited university?
- Yes
- No
02Are you a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor?- Yes
- No
03If you answered no to question #2, please indicate other credential or license you possess. If you do not possess any credential or license, then type N/A.04Do you have experience providing extensive direct clinical social work services for a population with complex medical, mental health and/or substance use issues? Preferable justice-involved- Yes
- No
05If you answered yes to question #4, please describe your experience providing extensive direct clinical social work services for a population with complex medical, mental health and/or substance use issues. If you answered no, please indicate experience, which you believe to be transferable. If you do not have any experience, then type N/A.06Do you have experience leading and coordinating the work of designated Social Workers by providing technical and analytical assistance and guidance?- Yes
- No
07If you answered yes to question #6, please describe your experience providing experience leading and coordinating the work of designated Social Workers by providing technical and analytical assistance and guidance .If you answered no then please describe experience that you think is transferable. If you do not have any experience, then type N/A.08Do you have experience assisting with the establishment of standard work, performance standards and goals, including customer service workflows and timelines?- Yes
- No
09If you answered yes to question #8, please describe your experience assisting with the establishment of standard work, performance standards and goals, including customer service workflows and timelines. If you answered no, then please describe experience which you think is transferable. If you do not have any experience, then type N/A.10Which of the following best describes your response to the following question: Are you applying to this position as a Priority Placement Program Participant and is this position the same or lower percentage of FT and do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
11If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question