Dfcs Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $96,626.40 - $116,956.32 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-Y3B-Q
Department: Social Services Agency - DFCS
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 17
Description
Under general supervision, assesses client needs and develops treatment plans in a variety of social service functions.Social Worker II positions in the Social Services Agency, Department of Family and Children's Services work in a variety of assignments connected to child safety, well-being and permanency and may be assigned to duties which may include: receiving and making reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect; assessing and investigating allegations of abuse and/or neglect; developing appropriate interventions, providing referrals for services, and monitoring services for children and parents; removing children from unsafe environments; providing case management services; preparing documentation, case plans, safety plans, Court Reports and other legal documents; providing testimony in Court; assessing and evaluating potential caregivers; placing children into appropriate homes; conducting home visits with children, caregivers, and parents; and assessing and addressing issues specific to the child's and families circumstances such as substance abuse, intimate partner violence, mental health issues, sexual abuse, parenting, developmental issues, immigration, and psycho-social-emotional-behavioral issues.
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
The Department of Family and Children's Services continues to serve the diverse population of the county and is strongly looking for individuals with language abilities in Vietnamese, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, ASL, among others. If you speak a second language fluently, please specify that on your application. The bilingual and biliterate fluency (i.e., speak, read and write) in the specified language will be tested. Candidate must take and pass the required Level II language fluency examination (i.e., ability to speak, read and write) for the specified language skill on your application.
CANDIDATES HIRED MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A SIGN-ON BONUS, UP TO $5,000.
A new hire into a position with the Social Services Agency in the classification of Social Worker II or Social Worker III, assigned to any shift, may be eligible to receive a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 (subject to discontinuation at any time).
Additional benefits include:

• Paid differentials (e.g. bilingual, assignment) may be given to a hired applicant.
• DFCS Social Worker II assigned to Emergency Response receive a 9% differential above the base salary plan. All other DFCS Social Worker II receive a 6% differential above the base salary plan

Possession of a Master's degree in Social Work may be required for specific programs.
Learn more about Social Services Agency
Hear more about working for the Social Services Agency at the County of Santa Clara from the staff doing the work,
and why they chose us as their public service employer.
#INDSSA
Typical Tasks

• Receives assignments to caseloads in any Department program including but not limited to Adult Protective Services (APS), CalWorks Employment Services, SSI Advocacy, In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) and CCS;
• Investigates allegations of abuse and neglect of dependent and elder adults when assigned to Adult Protective Services (APS); investigates allegations of abuse and neglect of minors, often under time constraints, and determines if removal of the child from the home is necessary when assigned to Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS);
• Evaluates client problems, develops treatment plans and follows each case through to solution;
• Consults, refers cases, and works actively with other agencies and community groups, legal and medical professionals;
• Establishes and maintains effective case work relationships;
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing;
• Manages a caseload accountably;
• Prepares case records, documents, reports and correspondence in a timely manner, as required;
• Interprets rules, regulations, policies and programs to clients and the public;
• Knows and maintains listing of community resources and assists clients to utilize community resources;
• Develops case plans, court reports and associate legal documents;
• Evaluates compliance with court orders;
• Testifies in court and responds to inquiries regarding court actions;
• Conducts field visits and evaluates compliance with court orders;
• Recruits applicants for foster care and adoption;
• Evaluates the suitability of adoptive and foster placements and finalizes adoptions;
• Transports clients in county, out of county, out of state and out of country if necessary;
• May be required to testify in administrative hearings;
• Knows and assists in developing community resources and uses them appropriately;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs related work, as required.

When assigned to DAAS:

• Evaluates and assesses yearly service needs based on Medical, Medicare and SSI eligibility;
• Conducts field visits to do yearly reevaluations of client's service needs;
• Assesses and authorizes new applicants;
• Consults, refers cases and works actively with other agencies, community groups and fair hearing officers;
• Conducts field visits to hospitals, nursing homes, community care facilities as needed.

When assigned to DFCS:

• Determines degree of danger and risk of future abuse and neglect and evaluates child and family's needs for services;
• Recruits applicants for foster care and adoption;
• Evaluates the suitability of adoptive and foster placements and finalizes adoptions.

Employment Standards
Possession of a Master's degree in Social Work preferred or possession of a Master's degree in Behavioral Science, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nursing, Psychology, Social Psychology, Vocational Rehabilitation, or equivalent titles to the above degree from an accredited college
AND
Two (2) years of social work experience
OR
Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Social Work preferred or possession of a Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science, Counseling, Education Counseling, Gerontology, Nursing, Psychology, Social Psychology, Vocational Rehabilitation or equivalent titles to the above degree from an accredited college
AND
Four (4) years of social work experience.
Graduate training in an approved school of social work or the related fields above may be substituted for experience, on a year-for year-basis. The practicum experience obtained in the above related fields qualifies as experience.
Master's degree in Social Work may be required by statute for certain positions.
Possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment, the ability to qualify and maintain a County Driver's permit.
Knowledge of:

• Principles, objectives and techniques of social work;
• Differential casework treatment techniques:
• Various personality and behavior theories;
• Family systems;
• Individual and group behavior, human growth, development and family relationships;
• Bio-psycho-socio-economic factors affecting individuals and families;
• Community organization and resources;
• Rules and regulations relating to public social service agencies;
• Effect of one's own personal attitudes and biases on the casework process;
• Interviewing, investigative and intervention techniques;
• Effective methods for handling emotional, irate or distressed people;
• Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet and/or database.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain a productive casework relationship with clients;
• Work cooperatively with co-workers, other agencies and the public;
• Receive consultation;
• Interpret complex laws and regulations to clients and the public;
• Prepare and present written and oral reports;
• Manage a caseload in a timely and effective manner;
• Utilize social work techniques and community resources;
• Interview effectively
• Establish and maintain casework relationships with clients;
• Assess and apply intervention techniques to adults, children, adolescents and / or families;
• Work in an environment that requires knowledge of and respond for family's cultural values.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more
The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.
In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.
Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.
Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.
Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.
Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.
Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.
Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.
NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.
Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01
Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED for your application and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to evaluate against the employment standards. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. Please include the name of employer, job title, dates of employment and number of hours worked per week for questions asking about your experience. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a competitive rating process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02
What is your Santa Clara County Employee ID number? If you do not have a Santa Clara County Employee ID number, type N/A.
03
Are you a Social Services Agency work study program recipient?

• Yes
• No

04
Please select the field of study in which you have obtained a Master's Degree or will obtain by August 31, 2026.

• Social Work
• Social Work Title IV-E Program
• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Counseling
• Education Counseling
• Gerontology
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Nursing
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Equivalent Field
• None

05
If you selected Equivalent Field in the Master's degree question above, please list the field. If you did not select this option, type N/A.
06
Select the status of your Mas