Job Details
Adult and Aging Social Service Worker III - Extra-Help
2025-09-18 County of Sonoma (CA) Santa Rosa,CA
Description:
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Intermittent, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most regular employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage, accrual of vacation, participation in the County retirement program, or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Intermittent, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of 1,380 hours within any twelve-month consecutive period.Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
*Salary is negotiable within the established range.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill an intermittent, extra-help Adult and Aging Social Service Worker III position in the Human Services Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list. Qualified candidates who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title for this position is Social Service Worker III.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience and Education: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from college, with a degree in social work, sociology, psychology or other behavioral science; and two years experience at the level of Social Service worker II.
OR
Academic course work at a college or university in social work, psychology, sociology, and other behavior science; and four years of progressively responsible experience in a social work agency at least two of which were at the level of Social Service Worker II would provide such opportunity.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of: the basic principles and theories of sociology and psychology including abnormal psychology, human growth and development, group and family dynamics; principles and techniques of interviewing and recording social case work; principles of individual and group behavior; provisions of federal, state, and local welfare programs and the laws, rules and regulations governing their applications; community organizations and resources; socioeconomic conditions and trends; current problems and methodology in public social service.
Working knowledge of: supervisory techniques and practices.
Ability to: assess and evaluate data and develop an effective course of action; apply laws, rules, and regulations to welfare department operation; interpret social service programs to applicants, recipients, and the public; make effective use of resources and services in the community; develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, departmental staff, public and private Social Service agencies, community based organizations and the public; accept and use consultative supervision and act effectively under stressful situations; control personal bias and apply social work ethics; input data, reports and narratives into a computer system; keep detailed records and prepare reports and correspondence.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.
Responses to supplemental questions are used to evaluate your qualifications. Please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.
Additional Information
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the to determine the requirements for this position.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-###-####), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: EP
HR Tech: VH
Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
County of Sonoma Benefits: General*
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) ###-####. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or (707) ###-####.
*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?
02
This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English/Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions, and your level of proficiency.
03
Please indicate how your experience and education meet the requirements of this position, as stated in the job announcement:
04
For this question, and all subsequent questions, please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers.
Based on the answer you provided in question #3, please describe how you meet the minimum experience and education requirements for this position.
05
Please describe your experience providing social services to low-income, elderly, and/or individuals with disabilities. Include details regarding the size of your caseload, as well as the types of cases you managed.
06
Please describe a complex social work case you have managed. Include the:
07
Please describe the training, skills, and abilities you possess that makes you an effective lead worker. Include at least one example in which you've demonstrated these skills in a professional environment, detailing the situation, any challenges you faced, and the outcome.
Required Question
Salary: $41.13 - $50.00 Hourly
Location : Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Extra Help
Job Number: 25/07-3003-EHC
Department: Human Services Department (HSD)
Opening Date: 07/15/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 25
Position Information
Help ensure the safety and well-being of Sonoma County's most vulnerable adults
who are older and residents with disabilities.
Become an Extra-Help Adult and Aging Social Service Worker III!
Starting salary up to $50.00/hour* depending on experience.
This Adult and Aging Social Service Worker III (SSW III) is assigned to the Adult and Aging Division's program, which provides in-home care to low-income, elderly, and individuals with disabilities, enabling them to remain safely and independently in their homes. They will utilize their experience and professional discretion to determine when a complex case decision can be made independently and when to consult with a supervisor, especially when working independently with clients in the field. Additional responsibilities include:
- Interviewing clients and conducting IHSS functional needs assessments to determine client eligibility
- Communicating program requirements to clients and their providers
- Conducting in person home visits to provide initial intake of new applicants to the program as well as their annual reassessment
- Mentoring new employees, and acting as an IHSS liaison with community partners and on specialized assignments
- Educating clients on available program features and how to best utilize them
- Providing referrals to resources in the community
- Carrying a complex caseload and managing client needs as they arise between annual assessments
- A bachelor's degree in social work or a related field
- Excellent communication, multitasking, organization, and problem-solving skills
- The ability to keep calm in a stressful work environment and navigate challenging interpersonal situations
- Experience working with adults who are older, people with disabilities and/or chronic health issues, and their caregivers
- The ability to collaborate with coworkers as well as internal and external program partners
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care approaches, strength-based assessments, and cultural humility
- The ability to properly apply state regulations to a client's individual needs
- Knowledge of the community resources and support structures in place for the populations we serve
- Experience working with underserved multicultural communities
- Basic Microsoft Office and data entry skills
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking abilities are highly desirable but not required
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Intermittent, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most regular employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage, accrual of vacation, participation in the County retirement program, or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Intermittent, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of 1,380 hours within any twelve-month consecutive period.Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
*Salary is negotiable within the established range.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill an intermittent, extra-help Adult and Aging Social Service Worker III position in the Human Services Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list. Qualified candidates who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title for this position is Social Service Worker III.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience and Education: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from college, with a degree in social work, sociology, psychology or other behavioral science; and two years experience at the level of Social Service worker II.
OR
Academic course work at a college or university in social work, psychology, sociology, and other behavior science; and four years of progressively responsible experience in a social work agency at least two of which were at the level of Social Service Worker II would provide such opportunity.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of: the basic principles and theories of sociology and psychology including abnormal psychology, human growth and development, group and family dynamics; principles and techniques of interviewing and recording social case work; principles of individual and group behavior; provisions of federal, state, and local welfare programs and the laws, rules and regulations governing their applications; community organizations and resources; socioeconomic conditions and trends; current problems and methodology in public social service.
Working knowledge of: supervisory techniques and practices.
Ability to: assess and evaluate data and develop an effective course of action; apply laws, rules, and regulations to welfare department operation; interpret social service programs to applicants, recipients, and the public; make effective use of resources and services in the community; develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, departmental staff, public and private Social Service agencies, community based organizations and the public; accept and use consultative supervision and act effectively under stressful situations; control personal bias and apply social work ethics; input data, reports and narratives into a computer system; keep detailed records and prepare reports and correspondence.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.
Responses to supplemental questions are used to evaluate your qualifications. Please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.
Additional Information
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the to determine the requirements for this position.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-###-####), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: EP
HR Tech: VH
Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
County of Sonoma Benefits: General*
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) ###-####. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or (707) ###-####.
*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?
- Careers in Government
- College or University
- County of Sonoma Human Resources Office
- DiversityJobs
- Employee of Sonoma County
- Glassdoor
- GovernmentJobs.com
- Handshake
- Indeed
- Job Fair
- Latino Service Providers
- Los Cien
- Press Democrat
- sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
- Start Here!
- X (Twitter)
- Veterans Services Office
- Women's Organization or Group
- Other Internet Site
- Other Publication
02
This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English/Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions, and your level of proficiency.
- Yes, I have basic (conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
- Yes, I have fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
- No, I do not have English/Spanish bilingual skills, and/or I do not wish to be considered for a bilingual position
03
Please indicate how your experience and education meet the requirements of this position, as stated in the job announcement:
- I have graduated from college, with a degree in social work, sociology, psychology or other behavioral science; AND have two years of experience at the level of Social Service Worker II
- I have completed academic course work at a college or university in social work, psychology, sociology, or other behavior science; AND have four years of progressively responsible experience in a social work agency, at least two of which were at the level of Social Service Worker II
- I meet the minimum qualifications another way and will explain in question #4
- None of the above
04
For this question, and all subsequent questions, please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers.
Based on the answer you provided in question #3, please describe how you meet the minimum experience and education requirements for this position.
05
Please describe your experience providing social services to low-income, elderly, and/or individuals with disabilities. Include details regarding the size of your caseload, as well as the types of cases you managed.
06
Please describe a complex social work case you have managed. Include the:
- Issues/challenges facing your client
- Methods of clinical assessment you employed
- Actions you took
- Resources you coordinated
- Outcome
07
Please describe the training, skills, and abilities you possess that makes you an effective lead worker. Include at least one example in which you've demonstrated these skills in a professional environment, detailing the situation, any challenges you faced, and the outcome.
Required Question