Abuse Intake Worker

State of Iowa•State of Iowa - See Job Description, IA

About The Position

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Family Well-Being & Protection, Child Protective Services Operations Unit is seeking an Abuse Intake Worker for its Centralized Service Intake Unit (CSIU), a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week operation. The position is domiciled for travel purposes at the nearest Iowa DHS Full Time Office and may work from home. Initial training may be Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, until the employee is ready to take on assigned duties. Training combines in-person sessions in Des Moines with virtual training. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. All paid overtime must be pre-approved by leadership. This essential frontline social work position receives protective referrals concerning children and dependent adults. It requires multitasking and the ability to gather and analyze information accurately and efficiently in a fast-paced environment. The worker interviews reporters, identifies and documents allegations and safety concerns, assesses whether immediate protection may be needed, communicates information to the Intake Supervisor, and informs reporters within 24 hours whether an intake will be accepted or rejected for assessment. The worker also discusses next steps or alternatives with reporters and completes background checks for household members and subjects. The ideal candidate demonstrates customer service, relationship-building, judgment, communication, timely written documentation, prioritization under pressure, integrity, a strong work ethic, and the ability to make sound independent decisions. Preference is given to candidates who speak more than one language and to education or experience that directly correlates with the role. All work performed on behalf of Iowa HHS must occur in Iowa. Applicants must complete a background check.

Requirements

Meet one of the stated minimum qualification pathways: a bachelor's degree and the equivalent of three years of full-time social work experience in a public or private agency; a bachelor's degree in social work and the equivalent of two years of such experience; a master's degree in social work; an equivalent combination of graduate education in social or behavioral sciences and qualifying experience (up to 30 semester hours for one year of required experience); or current continuous state executive branch experience including the equivalent of one year of full-time experience as a Social Worker 2.
Demonstrate customer service skills and the ability to establish relationships.
Demonstrate sound judgment and communication skills.
Demonstrate timely written documentation skills.
Be able to prioritize and work under pressure.
Demonstrate integrity and a strong work ethic.
Be able to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions.
Complete a background check.
Perform all work on behalf of Iowa HHS within the State of Iowa.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak more than one language; applicants should list additional languages in their application.
Education or experience that directly correlates with the requirements and duties of the position.
For designated positions in case management, qualifying applicants may have a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 30 semester hours (or equivalent) in behavioral sciences, education, health care, human services administration, or social sciences, plus the equivalent of 12 months of full-time human-services delivery experience with chronic mental illness, developmental disabilities, and intellectual disabilities as a Targeted (Medicaid) Case Manager; or an Iowa registered nurse license and the equivalent of three years of full-time nursing or human services experience with those population groups. Applicants seeking consideration for such designated positions must list relevant coursework, experience, certificates, licenses, or endorsements on the application.

Responsibilities

Perform intake duties for protective referrals concerning children and dependent adults.
Respond to allegations of children or dependent adults needing protection in a timely manner, ensuring critical information about subjects and alleged incidents is accurate and complete.
Interview reporters using hotline techniques, including open- and closed-ended questions, reflective listening, refocusing, suppressing, probing, affirming, and summarizing.
Determine whether an alleged victim needs immediate protection and relay appropriate information to the Intake Supervisor.
Enter information on the appropriate form.
Identify the nature of each report and determine the general category of alleged abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect.
Document safety concerns for referred victims and others in or entering the home, and communicate the information to the Intake Supervisor within applicable time frames.
Communicate with reporters within 24 hours about whether an intake will be accepted or rejected for assessment, and discuss next steps or alternatives that may assist children or families.
Complete and document background checks for household members and subjects.

Benefits

Health insurance coverage
Dental insurance coverage
Vision coverage
Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
Retirement plans, including IPERS and the Retirement Investors Club employer-sponsored plan with a dollar-for-dollar state match up to $75 per month
Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses
Life insurance
Free long-term disability insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Employee discount programs