Posting number: 26-57726-03
Department: Behavioral Health
Division: Perris SAPT
Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT
Posting type: Open & Promotional
Categories: Mental Health, Public Health, Miscellaneous, Customer Service, Community and Social Services
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Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health is seeking a Social Services Assistant (SSA) to fill a vacancy within their Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment (SAPT) program in Perris.
As an SSA, the incumbent will provide routine support to staff by overseeing the child lab for parents participating in treatment services, observing and documenting parent-child interactions, providing real-time feedback and guidance related to basic parenting skills and child care practices, providing transportation for parents and children, conducting and documenting drug screening activities, assisting clinical staff with the MOMs Perinatal Program, assisting with client services and administrative support, and performing other related duties in support of program operations. The SSA will act as a liaison between the client, County departments as assigned, and community groups and agencies; and performs other related work as required.
This role requires at least one year of experience working directly with children. Additionally, the department seeks candidates with experience providing client support services, maintaining client records and documentation, performing administrative or clerical duties, and providing transportation to clients. The ideal candidate works well independently and possesses strong communication skills.
This position will have a 9/80 schedule.
Meet the Team!
Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45,000 individuals annually.
We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian’s Office, address the diverse needs of our community.
At RUHS Behavioral Health, you’ll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.
If you’re passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you!
For more information, please visit www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health
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• Make home visits to assess client family environment, including, but not limited to, determining potential or imminent risk to the health and safety of clients and/or youth residing in the household on previously assessed cases by social workers; provide assistance, answer questions, gather data from interviews with clients, physicians, public or private agencies, and/or other appropriate sources.
• Review case records to formulate basic service plans or participates with professional staff in the formulation of service plans; assist in the delivery of social service plans (e.g., resource referrals and training in work skills and parenting), and other case management related duties.
• Assist or complete on behalf of clients application forms for County program participation and/or in obtaining needed services (e.g., medical care, CalFresh, vouchers, restraining orders); advocate for clients in securing services, provide encouragement and support to clients in attaining, preserving, and following through on services.
• Assist clients in recognizing and correcting home, family, and social conditions contributing to problems; instruct clients on appropriate methods of home management, basic health, and nutrition needs; provide supportive counseling to clients.
• Assist clients in developing appropriate parenting skills, job skills and daily living skills; assist clients to resolve training barriers; teach age-appropriate responses to youth; support client's efforts in dealing with youth, including those with medical and/or emotional problems; interact with clients to gather data on progress in learning and performing basic skills.
• Act as liaison between professional staff and clients through clarifying instructions and providing information on basic social services, County programs, and available community resources; act as liaison between County departments and agencies, organizations, community groups and individuals.
• Assist clients in arranging for transportation to obtain County services and/or attend required service appointments, etc. (e.g., mandated Court ordered services, including but not limited to, drug testing, medical, therapy), transport clients and/or youth in accordance with all California safety regulations, including the use of age-appropriate mandated safety equipment and managing assistive equipment (e.g., wheelchair, walker) for elderly or disabled clients; assist social worker in the placement of clients who are unable to care for themselves in an appropriate care or treatment facility.
• Supervise and support youth while awaiting placement; gather and inventory belongings, including medications and deliver during placement transitions; supervise youth during visitation with parents, siblings, family members, court hearings, therapy appointments, etc., in accordance with safety regulations protecting the youth, social services workers, and members of the public; document and provide feedback on the quality of the visitation.
• Write reports on client statuses, searches conducted on locating missing/absent parents/guardians for custody proceedings, and other case management related reports; prepare correspondences under the review of professional staff; maintain current electronic records of client visitation, client statuses, and other tracking and/or documentation as required in the centralized database; acts as an interpreter for non-English speaking clients when applicable.
Option I
Experience: Six months as a Community Services Assistant in any Riverside County department.
Option II
Experience: One year of experience performing client directed services in either a social service, healthcare, mental health, or non-county (public or private) agency and/or organization.
Option III
Education: Completion of 15 semester or 24 quarter units from an accredited college or university preferably with course work in psychology, sociology, social welfare, social/human services, other behavioral sciences, or a related field to the assignment. (For your education to be considered, you must upload a copy of your degree and/or transcript to your application for verification.)
Other Requirements for All Options
Experience: One year of experience working directly with children.
Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is necessary at the time of hire and must be maintained throughout employment. County vehicles may be available but are not guaranteed. Employees may be required to use their own vehicles for field travel. Mileage reimbursement is available when using a personal vehicle for County business.
Knowledge of: Basic public social service programs at the state and local level; basic principles of public assistance policies, laws, rules, and regulations governing public social services agencies; current issues, in the field of social services; behavioral patterns of the disadvantaged; cultural and ethnic attitudes towards community and social services; basic principles of interviewing and problem-solving methods.
Ability to: Work effectively with a wide variety of agencies, organizations, and individuals; interview, evaluate clients and recognize the relevant and significant factors pertaining to their needs; implement basic social service plans and monitor client's progress toward established goals; understand and evaluate basic psychological, cultural, and social factors affecting behavioral patterns; explain department procedures; interpret agency programs and policies to clients, agencies, and organizations; read and interpret information obtained from computers, microfilms, and written documents; obtain information in a non-intrusive but persuasive manner; interact effectively with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
We are seeking passionate people who are committed to solving critical issues while realizing their purpose!
Riverside County is the fourth largest county in the State of California, stretching nearly 200 miles across and comprising over 7,200 square miles of fertile river valleys, low deserts, mountains, foothills and rolling plains. Riverside County shares borders with densely populated Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, San Diego, and San Bernardino Counties...extending from within 14 miles of the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River.
