Social Work Investigator

POSITION TITLE: SOCIAL WORK INVESTIGATOR

Reports to: Investigator Supervisor

Salary: $23.23/hr. - $33.28/hr. (based on experience and qualifications)

Job Snapshot

CLC Investigators play a critical role in providing CLC’s multidisciplinary teams with essential information about our clients.. Investigators visit clients in their home placements, at school, in hospital settings, and other locations, to gather information from and about our clients. This includes information about the conditions of the home, health and safety concerns, developmental progress, medical and educational issues, service needs and family relationships. CLC Investigators should have a working knowledge of child abuse, child development, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Investigators must have an ability to connect with children and gain their trust. They must be able to work with children of all ages, genders, religions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Your Impact on the Mission – Excellence in Advocacy

The primary duties for a Social Work Investigator position include, but are not limited to: 

• Visit clients, caretakers and others to develop a trusting and professional relationship with clients. This can include STRTPs, foster homes, relatives, temporary shelters, juvenile hall, county jail, or at home.  
• Interview caretakers and, when developmentally appropriate, children, particularly those ages 4 and under, to observe and document the children’s current living situation, developmental progress and emotional wellbeing. 
• During client contact, the investigator is expected to note any services that have not been implemented that may need to be implemented, or any other issues for attorney’s review. 
• Evaluate and recommend the need for further or different services that may be beneficial to the child and the family. 
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings for the youth.  
• Identify services in the community and make referrals as needed. Collaborate with other service providers, advocates, probation staff, child welfare staff, survivor organizations and others. 
• Conduct joint client interviews with attorney staff. 
• Communicate regularly with the attorneys, both verbally and in writing, regarding the status of caseloads and assignments and with all relevant information regarding the client. 
• With general direction from the attorney, attend Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, DCFAS and placement staffings, hospital screenings and Regional Center conferences. 
• Manage and maintain caseload; Schedule appointments for client visits and collateral meetings. 
• On occasion, assist in transportation of a client with other CLC staff. 
• Occasionally travel out-of-state to meet with clients.
• Continuous learning: staying informed and adapting evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds. 

The Assets You Possess/Essential Qualifications   

• AA degree (or 60 college units) in Social Work or a related field and/or 2 years direct experience working with children in a related field. 
• Have experience with trauma informed interviewing and rapport building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively on a multidisciplinary team with openness, curiosity, and respect for diverse perspectives.
• Possess a collaborative and adaptable approach to teamwork.
• Ability to work under limited day-to-day supervision of Investigator Supervisor.
• Proficiency in creating timely reports of observations & recommendations to the case-carrying attorney.
• Ability to effectively communicate with supervisors, case-carrying attorneys and CLC team.
• Exhibits professionalism, patience and understanding when interacting with clients and caregivers.
• A valid California driver's license, reliable automobile and auto insurance are required while working at Children’s Law Center.  

CLC recognizes the importance of bringing together a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and talents across all roles, and we encourage candidates with varied backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. CLC is committed to fair and welcoming practices in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention.  

Perks + Benefits Employees of CLC Enjoy:

Health + Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance) *
• Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan*
• Generous Parental Leave + additional leaves* 
• Fitness/Wellness Program*
• Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA * 
• Transit + Parking Benefits * 

Growth + Development

• Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.

Flexibility + Additional 

• Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)
• Paid vacation/sick/holiday time
• CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys actively employed on the date bar dues are owed and who have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. CLC will also pay bar dues for new admittees who are actively employed on their initial payment due date and have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. 

* Must meet eligibility requirements upon open enrollment

About CLC

CLC is the largest children's legal services organization in the nation, advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County foster care systems. We are a powerful voice for our clients, fighting in and out of the courtroom for family reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health and mental health services, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being. We want all of California’s children to have the support they need to succeed. We work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children, multidisciplinary advocacy and support, and public policy.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment : All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, individual with disability, medical condition, marital status, ancestry, military status, veteran status, protected veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected group status or non-job related characteristic of an individual as directed by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity—Reasonable Accommodation Assistance: Children’s Law Center of California is committed to maintaining an environment of equal opportunity. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided by this organization, please contact [email protected] further assistance regarding job postings.