CHILDREN'S SOCIAL WORKER II - STIPEND PROGRAM/DCFS INTERNS ONLY

Full Job Description

WHEN TO APPLY:

We will be accepting online applications beginning Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Monday, June 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, to be accepted.

EXAMINATION NUMBER:

T9072S

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

We encourage applications from everyone!

Why work for us?
The County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is the largest child welfare agency in the United States. Established in 1984, our child welfare agency is designed to provide a wide range of protective and social services to needy residents of Los Angeles County. The Department’s primary focus is ensuring the safety of all its’ clients while focusing on the maintenance of family systems, the reunification of families who have children placed in foster care, and securing permanent homes for children who need this service through adoption planning.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services is recruiting highly motivated individuals. These individuals will fill open positions for the role of Children's Social Worker II.

Check Out Our Outstanding Benefits!

Click here to see a list of employee benefits!

Requirements

What will you do as a Children's Social Worker II?

Conduct investigations of referrals alleging child abuse, neglect, and exploitation by performing in-person interviews with children and involved parties; observing children’s safety, well-being, and living conditions; and completing home inspections and caregiver assessments.

Gather and analyze information from collateral contacts, multidisciplinary partners, hardcopy records, and County/state databases (e.g., CWS/CMS, SDM, CLETS, DOJ).

Monitor visitation, document findings, transport clients as needed, and collect photographic evidence when appropriate.

Determine and implement timely interventions—including safety planning, preventative services, or removal—consistent with federal and California State laws, the Core Practice Model, and the County of Los Angeles DCFS policies to ensure child safety and family stability.

Evaluate the validity of child abuse or neglect allegations in Los Angeles County by reviewing and analyzing information from multiple sources, including case histories, court reports, school records, medical/mental health documentation, observations of the child, the home environment, and official records.

Collaborate with clients, caregivers, law enforcement, medical professionals, and County supervisors to assess the strengths and needs of the child and family.

Use findings to determine appropriate interventions. These may include opening a case, emergency placement, or arranging medical and psychological services.

You may also coordinate out-of-state or out-of-country transport or take other actions to protect the child’s best interests.

All actions must follow California and federal laws, County policies, the Core Practice Model, and required timelines.

Provide welfare and protective services to children and families in Los Angeles County by conducting monthly in-person visits at the client’s location.

Collaborate with the Child and Family Team (CFT) and other professionals—including law enforcement, medical and mental health providers, school officials, supervisors, and community resources—to ensure the child’s safety and access to culturally appropriate services.

All actions are performed in accordance with California and federal laws, the Core Practice Model, County policies, and within required timelines to support the best interests of the child and family.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date client information by entering data into computerized systems such as CWS/CMS, reviewing client documents (e.g., identification, medical, psychological, school, and legal records), and following departmental policies and procedures.

Ensure all data is complete and submitted within established response times to support timely case management and service delivery.

Prepare and completes a variety of documents, including legal notices, court reports, referrals, memoranda, and mental health screenings, using computerized systems (e.g., CWS/CMS, SDM, Referral Portal) and standard forms.

Ensure documentation accurately records information, communicates relevant details to parents, relatives, legal representatives, and service providers, and initiate appropriate actions such as resource family searches—all in compliance with federal and California laws, the Core Practice Model, departmental policies, and required response timelines.

Maintain and safeguard confidential client information, including case forms, communications, court documents, logs, photographs, and protected data, by organizing both hardcopy files and electronic records using systems such as CWS/CMS, the SITE, tablets, and smartphones.

Ensure all information is accurately documented and securely stored in compliance with federal and California laws, departmental policies, and required procedures.

Communicate critical information to children, families, caregivers, law enforcement, attorneys, and agency representatives in Los Angeles County regarding topics such as placement, relinquishment, adoption, legal rights, and court processes.

Provide information clearly and considerately, both in-person and by phone, including written materials in the client’s primary language, when needed.

Use active listening, motivational techniques, and conflict management to promote the child’s well-being, encourage engagement with supportive services, and ensure all parties understand processes and actions.

All communication is conducted in accordance with California laws, the Core Practice Model, County policies, and confidentiality requirements.

Provide children and families with services from DCFS and other community resources, including assessments, adoption assistance, family preservation, prevention, substance abuse programs, mental health referrals, and independent living support.

Identify client's needs and coordinate service delivery by scheduling appointments, providing information, or arranging transportation.

Monitor compliance with case plans and court-ordered activities, address immediate and long-term needs (e.g., health, housing, education, employment), and report or respond to suspected child abuse, all in accordance with California laws, the Core Practice Model, and departmental policies.

Resolve day-to-day issues and challenges affecting children and families, including placement difficulties, visitation scheduling and monitoring, case plan adjustments, and crisis management.

Gather and analyze relevant information, temporarily care for children when needed, and collaborate with courts, public and private agencies, law enforcement, schools, medical personnel, and community programs.

Handle dispute resolution, communicate effectively with all parties, and ensure timely and efficient delivery of client services in compliance with federal and California laws, the Core Practice Model, and departmental policies.

Perform various court-related activities in relation to client services such as examine case history, prepare court reports for hearings, file petitions, obtain/review/follow court orders, reference the California Welfare &Institutions Code, prepare and serve warrants, obtain information from attorneys and County Counsel, review and request changes in court orders, coordinate transportation, transport clients, including lifting children and car seats, provide notice to appropriate parties, complete and obtain appropriate court-related paperwork (e.g., family law orders, medical reports, toxicology reports, pictures, historical documents, progress letters and certificates of completions of court-ordered programs, etc.), obtain authorizations for various purposes, testify in court, etc.

in order to ensure the protection of a child and the rights of the family, initiate a process related to client services (e.g., termination of parental rights, protective custody warrants, dependency hearings, in-and out/removal of incarcerated parents, delinquency hearings, legal guardianships, etc.), make recommendations to the court, and ensure that all court documents are legally sufficient in accordance with federal and California State laws and regulations, and are completed within established response times or time intervals.

Stay current with knowledge related to children and family social services (e.g., Core Practice Model; changes in federal and California State laws and regulations; changes in Department policies and procedures; developments in best practices; etc.) by attending professional conferences, training sessions, workshops, and facilitator certification, review information obtained from Department memoranda, policy updates, staff meetings, the Internet, magazines, journals, newspapers, professional publications, etc.

in order to determine its impact on providing effective client services and adapt to changes in federal and State laws.

Represent the Department/program/unit at various meetings (e.g., CFTs, staff meetings; training sessions; conferences; community events; court hearings, meetings with specific groups, such as IEP, MCPC, Regional Center; etc.) by consulting with a supervisor and other appropriate parties, drive to various locations, facilitate Child Family Team meetings, and collaborate with community resources/partners in order to orally communicate information to others, educate others and oneself on various topics, address concerns raised by relevant groups, and/or advocate for the child/family during the meeting to identify and address their underlying needs.

Drive a motor vehicle to perform essential job-related functions.

To view the Classification Specification for this position, please click HERE!

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:

A Master's* degree from an accredited** college or university with a major in Social Work.

AND

The successful completion of one of the following:

• An internship through the Office of Education and Licensure with the County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
• DCFS’s Title IV-E MSW Stipend Internship Program.
• DCFS's California Title IV-E Education Program during the 2025-2026 academic year.

EDUCATION WITHHOLD:

Applicants who anticipate completing their Master's Degree by 08/31/2026, may compete in this examination. Names of applicants will be withheld from placement on the eligible register until they have successfully met the Requirements to Qualify and submitted acceptable proof of education.

PHYSICAL CLASS III – MODERATE:

This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT:

A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.

Successful applicants for positions that require driving must acquire and present a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles prior to final appointment, when requested to do so from the hiring department.

The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant’s driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job.

LICENSE MUST NOT BE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED, RESTRICTED, OR REVOKED.

AN APPLICANT WHOSE DRIVING RECORD SHOWS FOUR (4) OR MORE MOVING VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE LAST TWO (2) YEARS WILL NOT BE APPOINTED.

Special Requirement Information:

*To receive credit for your education, you must provide a legible copy of any one of these documents:

• Official Diploma
• Official Transcripts
• Official Letter from the Registrar's Office

Failure to provide the required documentation will result in application rejection for being incomplete.

Documentation must be in English, show the degree conferred date, and be submitted by no later than 09/21/2026.

Please include your first and last name, exam title, and the exam number when sending documents via email to DCFSExams@dcfs.lacounty.gov.

We do not accept password-protected documents. Please ensure that all documents are unlocked prior to submission.

For more information on our policy regarding educational documentation, please visit:

https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf and

https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205105_PPG_123_ACE_Resource_Guide.pdf

**Accredited institutions are those listed in the publications of regional, national or international accrediting agencies which are accepted by the Department of Human Resources.

Publications such as American Universities and Colleges and International Handbook of Universities are acceptable references.

Participation in one of the required internships or education program will be verified by DCFS's Office of Education and Licensure in conjunction with the applicant's educational institution.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:

This examination will consist of an Evaluation of Training and Experience, weighted 100%, assessing Professional/Technical Training and Experience, as it relates to the job.

Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the Eligible Register.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

The names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the Eligible Register in the order of their score group for a period of six (6) months.

Applications will be processed on an as-received basis and promulgated to the Eligible Register accordingly.

VACANCY INFORMATION:
The resulting Eligible Register will be used to fill vacancies in the Department of Children and Family Services.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

AVAILABLE SHIFT:

ANY - Appointees must be willing to work after hours, weekend shifts, and holidays.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION:

Qualified applicants who are selected for employment must successfully complete the pre-employment requirements, which include fingerprint clearance, a background investigation, a medical examination, and a psychological evaluation.

FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:

All Department of Children and Family Services employees are fingerprinted and subject to a criminal background check by the State Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Employment is contingent upon passing the background checks.

An individual with job-related convictions, as defined by County policy (PPG 514), and/or not in compliance with the requirements of a "sensitive position" may be withheld from appointment or discharged from employment.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in-person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made.

Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment.

Copying verbiage from the requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements.

Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

For applicants who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase an applicant's original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States.

We are committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races.

We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Department Contact Name: JoAnna Enriquez

Department Contact Phone: (213) 351-5898

Department Contact Email: DCFSexams@dcfs.lacounty.gov

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077