Caseworker, Child Protection

Alamosa County•Alamosa, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Working level knowledge of established theories, principles, and concepts of social casework practice related to child protection.
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.
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.
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.
Graduation from an accredited four-year College or University with a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Social Work or other human behavioral science field.
Valid Colorado State Driver’s License.
Completion of Child Welfare Caseworker Academy Training and certification within six months of hire, must maintain certification by obtaining 40 hours of training annually.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
One (1) year of full time professional social casework journey level experience preferred.

Responsibilities

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.