Description of Job Duties: The primary purpose of this position is to receive reports, initiate, investigate, identify, and provide child welfare services to any child who is alleged to be abused, neglected, and/or dependent, as defined by law. This employee develops with the family, formal plans to eliminate conditions of abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. This position facilitates movement in and out of the legal system, including immediate removal from the home, children identified as being in danger. Supervises and monitors such children who are in out-of-the home placement and counsels with parents to expedite child's return to the home. Assesses family situations and prepares for the court, court-ordered home studies. This employee plans resources and other support services in conjunction with other agencies to promote maintenance of the family unit.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children.
- Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law.
- Thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
- Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
- Ability to interact and motivate a resistant involuntary client population and the public who may not agree with the laws, rules or policies of the process or the programs.
- Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for the court, case records and treatment plans; ability to testify as an expert witness.
- Ability to employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services; ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client environment during daylight hours, after dark and in high crime areas.
- Ability to employ expert negotiation skills in the most complex cases.
- Ability to analyze and assess child development safety issues in relation to risk factors.
- Ability to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information and limited access to consultation.
- Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.
- Ability to perform manual work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or
- Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative and one year of social work experience; or
- Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
- Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and three years directly related experience; or
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and four years directly related experience providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization; or
- An equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Applicants may qualify for a work against appointment with a certain degree of education and experience.
Special Requirements: This position is required to be on-call for one week, every 4 weeks or more often as vacancies, and/or absences dictate this necessity, 24/7 (nights and weekends) to respond to after-hours adult and child protective services reports. This position is also mandatory to work in emergency shelters in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. This employee will be required to perform other duties as assigned in small office.
