Adult Protective Services Social Case Worker

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

1d • $60,064 - $99,105 • Hybrid

About The Position

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. At Denver Human Services (DHS), we envision a healthy community where people are connected, supported, safe, and well. One in three people in Denver turn to DHS for support at all stages of life. Our employees help children, at-risk adults, families, and individuals navigate social and economic pressures by connecting them to services and experts who support their overall well-being. Denver Human Services is seeking a committed, passionate Social Case Worker to work in our Adult Protective Services Division. The Denver Adult Protective Services team investigates allegations of mistreatment for at-risk adults 18 years and older and provides ongoing case management services and coordinates resources and services with various community providers. In this role, you will perform entry level social case work services for Adult Protective Services (APS), including ongoing case management, investigation, assessment, service coordination, guardianship and financial management for disabled and/or elderly adults at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. This position involves investigation of new allegations of mistreatment including initial needs assessment, ascertaining nature and extent of complaint and severity of problems, and interviewing defined clients and/or family members to elicit information to determine client's/family's medical, employment, economic, educational, and emotional history. As a successful candidate, you should have the ability to work in a high volume, fast paced environment, be knowledgeable of community resources available for referrals, and have knowledge of and comfort level with computers and systems to be able to learn and use new systems. You should have high energy, excellent time management skills, and a strong commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

Requirements

• Education requirement: Requirements as set forth in Colorado Department of Human Services Volume 7 and/or Volume 30 regulations
• Experience Requirement: Professional, internship, or volunteer work experience in a human services related agency, as required by Colorado Department of Human Services Volume 7 and/or Volume 30 regulations
• Education/Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for experience requirements
• Licensure: Requires a valid Driver’s License at the time of application. Requires post-hire completion of certification requirements to be a social case worker in Adult Protective Services in accordance with CDHS regulations. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment

Nice To Haves

• Strong self-starter and organizational skills
• Superior critical thinking and time management skills
• Solid interpersonal and communication skills
• The ability to represent the organization in several different settings
• A positive, professional, and proactive attitude

Responsibilities

• Performs case management activities involving complex problems/cases, assesses individual and family needs, develops appropriate service and/or case plan, and provides counseling, referral, and placement services
• Conducts initial needs assessment, ascertains nature and extent of complaint and severity of problems, and interviews defined clients and/or family members to elicit information to determine client's/family's medical, employment, economic, educational, and emotional history
• Conducts investigations into allegations of mistreatment. This involves interviewing all parties who may have knowledge of the mistreatment including all alleged perpetrators. Works in collaboration with law enforcement to complete investigations when appropriate
• Develops and implements a case plan that provides a variety of social services and referrals to meet social, behavioral, medical, and/or psychological needs, recommends and refers clients to appropriate support agencies and programs, and provides continuous counseling and crisis intervention to achieve objectives
• Establishes, maintains, and coordinates services and activities with relevant community agencies, monitors and evaluates activities of agencies contracted to provide a variety of social services, and evaluates progress of placements and/or other service
• Represents the department in accordance with Volume 30 and city rules and regulations
• Maintains case records and supporting documentation in compliance with state and county standards
• Testifies in court by providing expert testimony and preparing comprehensive reports and evidentiary documentation to support Probate Court involvement and potential appointment of guardianship/conservatorship authority
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed