Child Protection Intake Caseworker

County of Weld•Greeley, CO

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is open as an Entry or Journey level position. Caseworker will progress to Senior level once minimum qualifications are met. The work office will be established, but the employee may perform work on the Greeley Campus or at one of the other satellite offices when required. Reliable, predictable attendance is expected Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendance outside of standard business hours may be required depending on business needs. This position is in-person and may be eligible for occasional telework options upon successful completion of initial training and demonstration of high work performance. Work may involve time away from a standard office environment, which may consist of driving to and from home visits and in transporting children. Work may occur in situations in client's homes, which could be considered a hostile or unsanitary environment. After hours or on call work situations may occur on occasion to provide support to families that need services outside of normal business hours.

Requirements

Entry Level: A bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution with course work 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, or therapeutic techniques.
Journey Level: A bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution with course work 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, or therapeutic techniques, AND Six (6) months professional or volunteer work experience in a human service-related agency, OR One (1) semester of internship in a child welfare setting.
Must possess ability to keyboard at 40 words per minute.
Must have a valid Colorado Driver's License and Liability Insurance.
Must provide own transportation and be willing to travel throughout Weld County.
Must pass Human Services Background Checks. Background checks include CBI/FBI fingerprinting and will continue to be monitored throughout employment.
Must possess a high level of flexibility and a strong understanding of Child Protection practices while adhering to guidelines.
Must have demonstrable skills in critical thinking and independent judgment.
Must obtain and maintain Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker Certification during the course of employment.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field.
Preferred Education and Work Experience: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field
One (1) year of experience working in a public or private social services agency.
One (1) year of experience working in Child Welfare.
One (1) year of experience working with Community Partners and knowledge of community resources.
Ability to read and write Spanish in a proficient manner.
Ability to interpret and translate between English and Spanish using professional language.

Responsibilities

Apply learned and trained knowledge and abilities in professional casework under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff.
Assess complaints regarding families in which children may be neglected, abused, or exploited.
Learn to assess family for safety and risk and determine the need for and level of intervention required by the Department of Human Services.
Provide child protective services and case management to family until case is transferred or closed under direct oversight of assigned supervisor.
Use critical thinking skills and complete thorough assessments with families to determine possible abuse or neglect as outlined in Children’s Code and Volume 7.
Initiate and complete in-depth assessment within state mandated time frames, assess child/youth safety, and plan appropriate service intervention.
Make home visit(s) to referred family; interview identified youth and siblings and caregivers living in the home.
Make determination of need for protective service intervention with supervisory approval and files in court, as needed.
Provide immediate crisis management and child welfare services to youth/children remaining in home including emergency referrals to community resources.
Provide resources and referrals to families to other community agencies and services.
Serve as liaison with other community agencies to facilitate services.
Utilize critical thinking skills with the support of a supervisor to determine next steps to assure safety for children.
Complete Institutional Assessments regarding day care homes and facilities, certified foster homes, certified kinship homes, group homes, and Residential Treatment Facilities when the institution is in Weld County when the victims are under the age of 10. Institutional assessments of kinship homes will only occur when a County Department of Human Services has custody of the child, and the kinship home is in Weld County.
Prepare for and participate in case-specific court hearings, consulting with County legal staff as needed.
Prepare court updates and letters in a timely and professional manner.
May be required to transport clients on occasion.
Without legal representation, provide information on youth, case progress and advocacy in courtroom setting using strong communication skills.
Complete all case documentation accurately and timely. This includes records of contact, safety and risk assessments, assessments closure, and other assessments/case related documentation.
When necessary, place youth/children into the least restrictive out-of-home placements such as foster or kinship care when in need of emergency substitute care.
Attend RED teams, family engagement meetings, group supervisions, staff meetings, staff training, regular supervisory meetings, and other agency or community meetings as requested.
Has clear and necessary communication with the care providers to ensure that they have the information needed to care for the children properly.
Maintain contact with the care provider throughout the duration of the placement while you are the open caseworker.
Maintain and increase knowledge and skills through attendance to meetings, conferences, training seminars and in-service training sessions.
Apply skills and knowledge gained from successful completion of the State training for new caseworkers.
Learn from assigned Child Welfare Intake Supervisor, Child Welfare Trainers, and Child Welfare Intake mentors on how to perform required duties within the Child Welfare system in Weld County and understand Department guidelines and policies.
Demonstrate an emerging level of competence through regular practice, trainer observation, and verification by the County Department as outlined in the request for certification.
Understand and implement rules and regulations for Child Welfare organizations in Colorado outlined in the State of Colorado Department of Human Services Volume 7 guidelines.