ALAMOSA COUNTY- Department of Human Services (DHS), CaseworkerREPORTS TO: Program Manager - Child WelfareFLSA STATUS: ExemptSALARY GRADE: $48,000/yearlyBONUS: $500 upon completion of the Child Welfare AcademyDATE ADOPTED: June 2024CLOSE DATE: Open until filledJOB SUMMARY:This position provides Intake and/or Ongoing social casework services to families where child abuse or neglect is present or suspected as well as youth in conflict. Assignments include the provision of an extensive assessment and situational evaluation, crisis intervention, resource mobilization and information and referral around all areas of child protection.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (The following are illustrative of essential functions to perform duties and responsibilities of the job. The position may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional tasks as needed by the Department.)*The scope of work at this level is somewhat restricted. Incumbent is not expected to handle difficult cases without consultation and supervisory review.
- Conducts an intake assessment of alleged physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect; determines if situation warrants the placing of children outside the home; supervises placement of children and coordinates parent/child visits; recommends when and if a child should be returned to their home.
- Conducts an evaluation of need for services; provides crisis intake and/or develops care plans appropriate to the children and family. Monitors progress of clients and modifies case plans as needed.
- Conducts monthly face to face visits with children and their parents.
- Conducts Family Engagement meetings with families to discuss their case and develop a family service plan.
- Makes collateral contacts with community resources as law enforcement, behavioral health and medical personnel to obtain additional information, coordinate services, or secure their assistance in order to get the best services for each family.
- Position requires being on an On-Call rotation for after-hours coverage for approximately one week per month.
- Gathers and consolidates background information to present as documentation for court hearings, prepare court reports in judicial reviews, or as summaries in facilitating appropriate placements.
- Attends court hearings, confers with lawyers, children, parents, witnesses, and significant others in reference to their respective roles.
- Participates in staffing's with school, mental health providers, and other professionals involved with providing services to the family.
- Serves as information and referral source to the public.
- Provides a variety of ancillary assignments such as computer data entry, maintaining client records and completing required forms and reports.
- Critical decisions are made regarding difficult case situations only with involvement and concurrence of the supervisor. Incumbent is expected to develop skill in the application of various casework techniques and methodology.
- Work is reviewed for compliance to procedures, methods, general conclusions, final results and accuracy on a regular basis through staffing's and supervisory reviews.
- Incumbent will work schedule as set by supervisor and program area worked.
- Incumbent will work independently or in a team as required.
- Incumbent must be able to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) in English.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Knowledge:
- Requires a working level knowledge of established theories, principles, and concepts of social casework practice related to child protection. Position requires continual development of knowledge to utilize professional techniques and concepts beyond the mere application of detailed rules and procedures.
- Child development, life stage development, attachment and bonding theories and appropriate parenting practices
- Human physical, emotional, psychological and social stages of development
- Knowledge of legal documents and legal processes
- Knowledge of applicable privacy laws and statutes child protection issues and investigative procedures, laws and time lines, including Indian Child Welfare laws.
- Bilingual (Spanish) preferred, but not required
Skills:
- Understanding of the mediation process and family engagement process.
- Experience in accessing community resources available to assist clients.
- Demonstrate cultural competency related to multi-cultural issues and differences.
- Empathy for and ability to recognize domestic/family violence, developmental disabilities and the signs/symptoms of mental health issues.
- Intermediate Computer skills adequate to learn and operate software specific to DHS and Microsoft Office Excel and Word.
- Negotiation skills to facilitate an agreement.
Abilities:
- Ability to respond to each client with empathy and respect.
- Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
- Ability to gather and interpret data and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
- Ability to react to deescalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate.
- Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and oral form.
- Ability to read, interpret, follow policies and procedures set by CDHS, the County and DHS.
- Ability to prepare, read, analyze, and interpret legal documents for court hearing.
- Ability to write correspondence or routine reports that are clear and concise.
- Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization, attorneys and the courts.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable as situations evolve and change.
- Ability to work in a stressful environment.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year College or University with a Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) required in Social Work or other human behavioral science field.
- One (1) year of full time professional social casework journey level experience preferred, but not required.
- Valid Colorado State Driver's License required.
- Completion of Child Welfare Caseworker Academy Training and certification within six months of hire, must maintain certification by obtaining 40 hours of training annually.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORK CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minimal physical effort generally required in the performance of duties under typically office conditions. Position requires the ability to operate a computer keyboard at an efficient speed. This might involve repetitive hand movements and fine coordination. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The position is required to stand, sit for long periods of time, talk and hear. Hearing and vision correctable to normal ranges; close-up vision and the ability to adjust focus across an audience. Occasionally, the position may stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, carry, twist and push and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight. The employee is required to communicate both orally and in writing. Employee must be able to reach and manipulate objects, tools or controls, and lift up to 25 pounds. The noise level may be very quiet to noisy depending on the situation. Employee is required to travel out of the county and at times may be required to drive in a variety of weather conditions both locally and throughout the state. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.It is the policy of Alamosa County to not discriminate against any person with regard to all federally protected classifications including race, color, religion, sex (pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), age (over 40), national origin, marital status, any disability, genetic information and testing, family status or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.