The Human Services Agency (HSA) of the County of San Mateo is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Children's Services Social Worker II/III within the Children and Family Services (CFS) branch. This recruitment will focus on filling positions within the Weekend Unit (including after hour and grave shifts) as the first level of priority. These positions are based out of the Central Region Office (San Mateo/Foster City border). Social Workers assigned to these units are responsible for screening and responding to emergency response referrals outside of traditional business hours.

Children and Family Services is committed to promoting the safety, permanency, and well-being of children while partnering with families, caregivers, and communities to support positive outcomes. Our Social Workers perform critical work that includes responding to child welfare referrals, assessing safety, engaging with families, coordinating services, and helping connect children and caregivers with resources and support.

We recognize that child welfare is complex, challenging, and meaningful work. The role requires compassion, resilience, flexibility, and sound judgment. Social Workers in these assignments must be comfortable navigating changing priorities, responding to urgent situations, and working with children and families during some of their most difficult moments.

We are seeking individuals who are committed to learning, growth, and collaboration. As we continue to strengthen our practice and support for staff, we value employees who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and families. Successful candidates will be individuals who are open to feedback, willing to continue developing their practice, and committed to contributing to a team environment.

Hiring Incentive!! Eligible candidates may receive a sign-on bonus of up to $15,000!

First-time external new hires, as well as current County employees promoted internally or transferring from other County departments into a regular Children's Services Social Worker II/III position within the Human Services Agency, may be eligible to receive a sign-on bonus of up to $15,000. The incentive is paid in three phases and is prorated for part-time positions. Restrictions apply, and the program may be modified or discontinued at any time. See the Hiring Incentives webpage for complete details: https://jobs.smcgov.org/hiring-incentives/.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

A commitment to serving children and families with compassion, respect, and cultural humility.
The ability to build relationships and collaborate with children, families, colleagues, community partners, and other professionals.
The ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in complex and time-sensitive situations.
A willingness to learn, grow, and develop knowledge and skills in child welfare practice.
The ability to work effectively as part of a team while also exercising independent judgment.

Current Priority Assignments

Available assignments are based on operational needs at the time of onboarding and may include the following:

Weekend Unit (Friday–Monday)

Hybrid Screener Day Shift: 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Swing Shift: 1:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m.
Grave Shift: 11:00 p.m.–9:30 a.m.

Afterhours Weekday Unit

Grave Shift: 11:00 p.m.–9:30 a.m.

In the event there are additional future vacancies approved, next priority will be given to fill additional shifts in the afterhours weekday unit, and/or Emergency Response.

Support for Staff

Children and Family Services recognizes the importance of supporting staff who perform this demanding work. The program offers on-site Clinical Support through the Secondary Trauma Action Team response to assist employees following challenging cases and promote staff well-being.

Telework

Telework, in accordance with the HSA telework policy, remains an option for eligible assignments at one day per week for a five-day work week beginning January 2027. A minimum of four days must be on-site, in office.

Shift Differential

Employees regularly assigned to eligible shifts of eight (8) hours or more that begin after 11:59 a.m. and before 1:01 a.m. may receive shift differential pay for all hours worked during that shift, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of San Mateo and AFSCME (2024–2027).

Informational Session:Join us for an engaging LinkedIn Live informational session to explore this exciting opportunity. We’ll provide an overview of Children & Family Services (CFS), including the vital work this team does to support children and families in the community. Learn about the key responsibilities of the role, benefits, and what makes an ideal candidate. We’ll also walk through the recruitment and selection process. Don’t miss out—join us on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM PST. Click here to register.

Check out these videos to discover the rewarding work, training, and support we offer!

SALARY:
Children's Services Social Worker II: $45.79- $57.24 Hourly
Children's Services Social Worker III: $54.00- $67.54 Hourly

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/ limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. Based solely on the information provided in the application materials, an application screening committee will select those applicants whose education, training and experience most closely matches the needs of the department. Those selected will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include the evaluation of a written or performance exercise given immediately preceding the interview. Selected applicants will be notified of the date, time and place of the tests.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click on the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
LinkedIn Live Informational Session: Monday, September 14, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. PST
Final Filing Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Screening: September 23 - 28, 2026
Combined Panel Interviews: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and/or Wednesday, October 7, 2026

San Mateo County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

As an employer, the County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Arlene Cahill (09012026) (Children's Services Social Worker II/III-G092)

Children's Services Social Worker II/III (Open and Promotional)

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