Social Worker Trainee - Emergency Appointment

Job Description:

Social Worker Trainee - Emergency Appointment

Description

Position/Program Information

Type of Recruitment

OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

Applications will be accepted from August 12, 2026 until August 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Exam Number

AG9050C-HE

The LA County Department of Human Resources (DHR) has authorized Hiring as an Emergency under Civil Service Rule 13.04 in response to Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 (McKinnor) ( https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB2561 ), which requires the County to report on high vacancy rates and recruitment efforts. This action supports a Countywide strategy to address persistent staffing shortages that threaten the delivery of essential public services. We are looking for qualified and committed individuals to help strengthen the County workforce and ensure residents continue to receive critical support. If you are looking for a new opportunity where your work will make an immediate impact, this may be the role for you.

The Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disabilities is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Social Worker Trainee vacancies within its Adult Protective Services (APS) Division. APS investigates reports of suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation involving older adults and dependent adults and connects clients with services intended to support their safety and well-being. These positions support the Department’s efforts to stabilize critical services and accelerate hiring in high-need areas.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Social Worker Trainee.

Essential Job Functions

As a Social Worker Trainee, the incumbent receives information, instruction and practical experience in the following activities:

Investigates situations involving older and dependent adults reported to be endangered by abuse, neglect, exploitation or unsafe or hazardous living conditions, takes appropriate action and/or reports to appropriate agency to eliminate or reduce the possibility of endangerment.

Identifies and analyzes clients' needs for service; sets priorities, explores alternatives with clients to develop plans for resolving problems.

Through partnerships with community agencies, assists clients in carrying out problem solving activities directed toward resolving housing, money management, health care, citizenship, residence, employment and other problems of a tangible nature.

Provides information to clients about resources within the department and in the community; assists clients in selecting appropriate resources, contacting agencies, and in utilizing these resources.

Initiates requests for assistance from the appropriate legal authority to gain access to the client or obtain protection for clients in violent situations.

Acts as an advocate on behalf of the clients in situations where the clients are unable to act on their own, and when appropriate, refers clients for conservatorship.

Assists clients and their relatives in locating alternative living arrangements such as nursing homes, intermediate care facilities or board and care homes when in-home supportive services are not appropriate.

Takes appropriate action on referrals from public and private agencies and other jurisdictions.

Makes routine visits to homes, hospitals, and facilities throughout Los Angeles County to assess client's needs.

Requirements

Requirements to Qualify
A Bachelor degree* from an accredited college or university.

You MUST meet the above requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

Special Requirement Information

*To receive credit for your education, include a copy of your official diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution within seven (7) calendar days of the end of the filing period. Please submit documentation to [email protected] and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English; if it is in a foreign language, it must be translated and evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. For more information on our standards for educational documents, 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

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.
License
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Class
II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Desirable Qualifications

• A B achelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Gerontology, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Counseling, Behavioral Science, or Public Health
• Experience working in adult services, mental health, public health, homelessness outreach, or emergency response programs
• Experience conducting field-based investigations
• Ability to speak fluently in any of the following languages: American Sign Language, Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian (Khmer), Chinese (including Cantonese and Mandarin), Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese or other.
• Willingness to drive and work in the Lancaster/Antelope Valley area
• Willingness to work in an after hours or overnight shift unit
• Willingness to work in a unit which provides services during weekend hours

Additional Information

Examination Content
During your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

Application & Filing Information
Applications must be filed online only and will be reviewed for interview consideration on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment remains open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information.

Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add [email protected] as well as [email protected] , and [email protected] to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the August 17, 2026 deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

Social Security Number
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

Computer and Internet Access at Public Libraries
Computer and Internet Access at Public Libraries: For candidates 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.

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. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Dept Contact Name: AD Recruitment Team
Dept Contact Email: [email protected]
Teletype Number: (800) 735-2929

For detailed information, please click here

Closing Date/Time: 8/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$50,752.32 - $76,238.16 Annually