Case Worker- Child Welfare

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

1d • $60,064 - $99,105 • Hybrid

About The Position

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 committed, passionate Social Case Workers to serve our Child Welfare Services clients. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of either intake or permanency child protection work and will be open to performing duties in both disciplines. These positions include roles of Intake and Permanency Social Case Work. These roles may include working in a hybrid environment- work from home, in the field, and at the office as required.

Intake: The Intake section primarily is responsible for investigating new allegations of abuse/neglect of children ages 0-18 in a fast-paced and demanding environment. You will also be expected to contact families and conduct interviews on behalf of the child, as well as maintain professional contacts with community leaders and regularly communicate with law enforcement representatives. This role is an opportunity to impact a variety of populations throughout the Denver Metro Area.

Permanency Child Protection/Youth Services: The Permanency Child Welfare is grouped in two sections. Permanency Child Protection is specific for children 11 and under. Permanency Youth Services is for people 12-21. It is important that the Social Case Worker has a clear understanding of child/youth development, the impact of child abuse and neglect on both children/youth and their families, and how to support transition-age youth in securing permanency. You should also understand delinquency court processes and appropriate services to maintain youth safely in their family setting.

Requirements

• Requirements as set forth in Colorado Department of Human Services Volume 7 and/or Volume 30 regulations.
• A bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution with at least fifteen (15) college level credit hours related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker. Course work examples can include and are not limited to, the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, counseling, psychology, or therapeutic techniques
• 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
• 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 Child Welfare or Adult Protective Services in accordance with CDHS regulations.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment
• Please attach your official or unofficial transcripts of your completed undergraduate and/or graduate degree and list of professional references to your application in the required attachment section.
• Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Human Services experience preferred
• The ideal candidate will have knowledge of either intake or permanency child protection work and will be open to performing duties in both disciplines.
• A clear understanding of child/youth development, the impact of child abuse and neglect on both children/youth and their families, and how to support transition-age youth in securing permanency.
• Understand delinquency court processes and appropriate services to maintain youth safely in their family setting.

Responsibilities

• Performs case management activities involving complex problems/cases, assesses individual and family needs, develops appropriate service and/or treatment plan, and provides counseling, referral, and placement services
• Evaluates client's needs, interest, motivation, and pattern of responsibility, reviews case records for client and family profiles, socio-economic history, previous treatment and services experience, and/or special problems and needs, and reviews and discusses case, problems, prognosis, behavior patterns, and needed services with a supervisor or other senior level staff
• Develops and implements established, maintains, and supports treatment 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
• Represents the department in accordance with Volume 7 and city rules and regulations
• Prepares case records, reports, and documents and compiles with state and federal standards in providing case notes, treatment plans, and evaluations
• Testifies in court as needed by providing expert testimony and preparing comprehensive reports that allow the court to make finding and recommendations that affect court-ordered treatment plans
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 132 hours of PTO earned within first year
• 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 wellness day 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