A CWS Policy and Program Specialist analyzes and tracks pending, new, and revised legislation, initiatives, and emerging practices that govern CWS programs in order to determine the impact on operations. Prepare recommendations for implementation of new systems, procedures, and program changes; conduct needs assessments to determine training activities or to determine areas that require additional resources and new program implementation. Write curriculum and provide training to CWS staff and others on assigned program areas. Implementation and operation of the California Child and Family Services Review (C-CFSR)

Plan, assign and supervise the work of a unit of Social Service Workers involved in providing child welfare services; serve as a leader in a unit of Social Service Workers by coordinating assignments, coaching, conferencing and providing instruction to unit members; make assignments of new cases and referrals to team members; provide regular case review and consultation; develop, maintain and regularly report workflow and workload information to agency management; monitor timeliness and appropriateness of referral intervention, court documentation, contact requirements and general case activities; facilitate regular case staff meetings, oversee the production of meeting minutes and delivery to agency management; perform quality assurance activities as directed by management; identify training needs of team members and provide or assist staff in obtaining needed instruction; serve on selected task groups and subcommittees; explain agency policy and procedures to team members and assure compliance; provide coverage or arrange for coverage of activities assigned to the team, including on-call coverage; evaluate the performance of unit personnel and take appropriate action; participate in interviewing of applicants for employment; prepare employee performance evaluations.

Manage a caseload within the Child Welfare Services spectrum, including emergency response, family maintenance, family reunification, permanency planning and adoptions. May include occassional, short term management of complex cases; Perform case studies for the purpose of assessing, diagnosing and making recommendations on individual and family problems, termination of parental rights and adoptive placements; Investigate and make recommendations concerning family situations involving neglect or child abuse; Investigate allegations of abuse in foster care; Testify in court on assigned cases as needed; Represent CWS in all mandated court appearances including detention, preadjudication, adjudication, disposition, 90 day review, 6, 12 and 18 month reviews, permanency planning hearings, as well as any other required court appearances; Evaluate court recommendations for appropriate referrals for services, both internally and externally; Refer and transport clients to specialized services for specific types of counseling or therapy; Interpret and explain rules, regulations, and policies to clients and applicants; Prepare and maintain case records, case narratives, court reports and medical records; Research case files for medical, mental health and substance abuse history of parents and child and prepare written medical reports; Develop, implement and monitor complex treatment plans; Maintain confidentiality of all information and materials handled.