Social Service Worker IV/V - Department of Human Services
Salary: $5,855.37 - $7,655.01 Monthly Location: Depending on Assignment, CA Job Type: Full time Job Number: 9969 Department: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES Opening Date: 01/22/2026 Closing Date: 2/5/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description: Benefits Questions Position Information See Video: https://youtu.be/QSyJdBRO8LY
Examinations: Appraisal (Weight 100%): Will be conducted for the purpose of evaluating the applicants training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the position. Appraisal can be based on any combination of the following: Investigation, oral exam and rating of the application. Please ensure applicable materials are attached to your application. If you are unable to attach application materials to your application, you may deliver a copy to the Human Resources Division at 1115 Truxtun Ave. First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or fax to (661) 868-3928.
Salary: Level IV: $2,702.48-3,229.71, paid bi-weekly Level V: $2,956.32- 3,533.08 paid bi-weekly
Minimum Qualifications/Employment Standards: Both Levels: Completion of a Masters degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university, which includes an internship. ORA Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a Counseling program emphasizing Marriage, Family and Child Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy, Gerontology, Clinical Psychology, Sociology, Counseling and Personnel Services, or a closely related discipline is permitted with the following stipulations: The Masters degree program included an internship or supervised field work, AND completion of one (1) year of social service work experience.
Qualifying case management/work experience must include: (1) responsibility for a long term caseload, (2) development of service/treatment plans; (3) monitoring compliance through home calls, field calls and other personal contact; (4) modification of treatment plans as needed/required; and (5) authority to impose/recommend sanctions for non-compliance, impacting benefits or services (i.e. case closures, terminate benefits and or program participation).
Possession of a Class C California drivers license is required. Incumbents must have the ability to travel to designated locations.
Level V Additional Requirements: One year of experience equivalent to Social Service Worker IV in the Kern County classification system.
Full Job Description For: Social Service Worker IV For: Social Service Worker V
This position works within the Department of Human Services of Kern County. For more information about the department , please view their website here.
About Kern County Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county. To learn more about Kern County, click here or follow us:
Growth Mindset We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.
Additional Information
Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.
A background check may be conducted for this classification.
Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.
Appointees are subject to fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal records check as authorized by section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions code and section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code.
This examination will establish an eligible list from which immediate appointment(s) will be made. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission. Candidates are encouraged to indicate acceptable geographical locations in which they would accept employment on their application form. Candidates MUST be willing to travel to these locations (areas/district offices).
Bilingual (English/Spanish) applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a bilingual (English/Spanish) certificate before the final filing deadline. Applicants who wish to be considered for bilingual employment must submit a bilingual certificate issued by the Kern County Human Resources Division or its authorized agent, Bakersfield College. Access the following website for information about where to obtain a qualifying certificate: https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/academics/career-education/bilingual-testing.html
Employees who occupy positions designated as bilingual are paid dependent upon the required level of proficiency. For more information regarding Kern Countys recruitment process, please see our FAQ page.
Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Supplemental
Kern County Employee Benefits
As a regular or provisional employee of Kern County, working twenty (20) hours or more per week, you are presently eligible for the following benefits as described below:
Health Insurance: (Medical/Dental/Vision): Kern Legacy Health Plans are medical and prescription health plan options administered directly by the County of Kern. Kaiser Permanente is also an option. Employees may also choose from two dental plans; Liberty Dental PPO or HMO. The vision coverage is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP).
Retirement Program: Kern County Employees Retirement Association (KCERA). This Section 401 (a) defined benefit retirement plan requires employer and employee contribution and pays retired employees a pension based on salary, years of service, and age upon retirement.
Deferred Compensation: This section 457 plan allows employees to contribute on a pre-tax basis to a supplemental retirement account which is then paid out to them when they retire.
Social Security Administration: Note: Both Kern County and the employee contribute to Social Security and Medicare as follows: The County of Kern withholds 6.2% for Social Security (FICA1) and 1.45% for Medicare (FICA2) from employees payroll warrants The County matches the employees 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare
Employee Assistance Program: EAP is available to help you take control of your life!
Voluntary Benefits: Chimienti & Associates (Administrator) offers the following voluntary benefits and can be deducted on a pre-tax bases: Short Term Disability Coverage, Accident Plan, Cancer Plan and a Flexible Spending Account.
Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days (per calendar year)
Have you ever been convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation? Please Note: You are not required to disclose convictions of Marijuana-related offenses per Labor Code 432.8; if those convictions are more than two years old. If you are not required to disclose a conviction, you may answer "NO" to the question above. The fact that a conviction has been relieved or expunged does not necessarily relieve you of the obligation to disclose that conviction. (For instance, you are legally required to list all convictions relieved under Penal Code Section 1203.4.) Failure to list any conviction which you are legally obligated to disclose is an omission of a material fact which will cause forfeiture of all rights of employment with the County of Kern. Yes No
If you answered "YES" to the above question, complete the Conviction Summary below. If you answered "NO" to the above question, enter "NA" below. Starting with your most recent conviction, please list all convictions (not arrests) you have received, with accurate dates and in full detail. As per Civil Rule 307.10.01, a "conviction," shall include a plea of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. The Personnel Department will review your application and this supplement to determine whether or not your conviction record affects your eligibility for examination or certification. The Civil Service Commission may refuse to examine or, after examination, to certify as eligible or may remove an eligible from the eligible list for good cause.
Conviction Summary For EACH conviction you must provide all of the following information:
I have a Masters degree in Social work, Counseling program emphasizing Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy, Gerontology, Clinical Psychology, Sociology, Counseling and Personnel Services or a CLOSELY related discipline. Social Work Marriage, Family and Child Counseling Counseling and Personnel Services Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Psychology Gerontology Sociology Psychology School Counseling Counseling Psychology Educational Counseling No, I do not have a Masters degree.
I have completed an internship as part of my Masters program. Yes No
I have one (1) year of social service work experience. Yes No
I understand that I must provide my Masters Degree transcripts with a conferral date. Yes No
I understand I must provide my typing certificate verifying a speed of at least 25 net words per minute from a Kern County approved agency. Yes No
I possess a valid Class C California Drivers License. Yes No
Required Question Employer: Kern County Address: 1115 Truxtun Avenue First Floor Bakersfield, California, 93301 Phone: (661) 868-3480 Website: http://www.kerncounty.com/hr