In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:
Knowledge of:
1. Provisions of State and Federal rules, regulations, and laws relating to adoptions in California.
2. Principles, practices, and techniques used in the administration of adoptions programs, casework theory and practice, child psychology and principles of individual and group behavior, family relationships, and the effect of separation on children and parents.
3. Child welfare casework objectives.
4. Socioeconomic factors which promote stable family security.
5. Casework techniques in working with special needs children who experience adverse parental background, including a history of incest and other sexual abuse, a history of mental or physical illness within the family, or severe neglect or mental or physical abuse by the birth parent(s).
6. Developmental effects upon children exposed to nontraditional lifestyles.
7. Reclaim procedures.
8. Set-aside petition investigations and reports.
9. The group home study process.
10.Crisis intervention techniques in the provision of post adoption services and cases in which a potential disruption requires immediate attention.
11.State and Federal rules, regulations, and laws as they apply to contested termination of parental rights.
12. Effective personnel and supervisory practices and training methods.
13. A manager’s and supervisor’s responsibility for providing equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
14. Principles of public administration, personnel management, supervision, and training and staff development.
15. A manager's and supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
Skill in:
1. Applying the principles and techniques of social casework.
2. Effectively and efficiently providing casework services to children with special needs.
3. Working independently with local county welfare departments in assessing the adoption potential of children within the child welfare system.
4. Developing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships while working with county welfare departments, other public and private social services and adoption agencies, public and private attorneys, judges, and other representatives of the court system.
5. Conducting orientation meetings with the public.
6. Encouraging and assisting in the maximum professional growth of subordinate staff.
Ability to:
1. Interpret provisions of the State and Federal rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to adoption programs.
2. Utilize community resources effectively.
3. Analyze problems arising out of the operation of adoptions programs.
4. Reach practical and logical conclusions.
5. Secure accurate social data and record such data systematically, communicate effectively.
6. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
7. Utilize and apply effectively the required technical knowledge.
8. Act independently.
9. Monitor, review, and manage cases of increasing difficulty and protracted legal involvement.
10.Act in a professional manner and represent the California Department of Social Services in meetings with other adoptions and child welfare professionals.
11.Articulate casework practice and policy during conferences and legal hearing.
12. Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of others.
13. Plan, organize, and effectively direct the work of others and provide guidance in the professional development of casework staff.
14.Review and edit written reports.
15.Communicate effectively before groups and news media.
16.Perform as a member of the management team.
17.Effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
