Ability to: Work effectively with a wide variety of agencies, organizations, and individuals; interview, evaluate children and youth and recognize the relevant and significant factors pertaining to their needs; implement basic social service plans and monitor children and youth's progress toward established goals; understand and evaluate basic psychological, cultural, and social factors affecting behavioral patterns; explain department procedures; interpret agency programs and policies to individuals, agencies, and organizations; read and interpret information obtained from computers, microfilms, and written documents; obtain information in a non-intrusive but persuasive manner; interact effectively with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. Knowledge of: Basic public social service programs at the state and local level; basic principles of public assistance policies, laws, rules, and regulations governing public social services agencies; current issues, in the field of social services; behavioral patterns of the disadvantaged including children and youth; cultural and ethnic attitudes towards community and social services; basic principles of interviewing and problem-solving methods; basic dynamics of child development; principle of group dynamics control and discipline; basic psychological, behavioral, sociological, and cultural factors in dealing with dependent children; state and county rules, regulations, and procedures governing emergency childcare/residential care facilities; Welfare and Institutions Code.