Child Protection Permanency Caseworker

Weld County Government•Greeley, CO

1d•$33 - $45•Onsite

About The Position

Provides ongoing child protective services to families with open cases under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff. The work includes case management, ongoing safety management, and treatment planning, with the goals of strengthening families’ ability to protect and care for their children, preventing continued or future child welfare involvement, and achieving permanency. The caseworker promotes child safety, permanency, and well-being through family plans with clear objectives, action steps, and outcomes that support reunification and prevent future out-of-home placements or continued child protection involvement. The position has entry and journey levels. Entry-level work is a training position with intensive supervision or coaching and a caseload limited to 50% of the county average or 10 assessments/cases, whichever is less. Journey-level work is a novice position with intensive supervision or coaching; the caseload increases gradually over 12 months and is capped at 75% of the county average or 14 assessments/cases, whichever is less. The work office will be established, with work also potentially performed at the Greeley Campus or other satellite offices as needed. This is an in-person position that may allow occasional telework after successful completion of initial training and demonstration of high work performance. The role involves travel to home visits and transporting children, and may involve working in clients’ homes that could be hostile or unsanitary. Attendance is expected Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; work outside standard business hours, including occasional on-call work, may be required based on business needs. The position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay. Compensation is listed as $32.99–$42.88 for the entry level and $33.28–$44.93 for the journey level.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with coursework related to child welfare social casework responsibilities, such as human behavior development, child development, family intervention, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques.
For the journey level, six months of professional or volunteer experience in a human-service-related agency or one semester of internship in a child welfare setting.
Ability to keyboard at 40 words per minute.
Flexibility and a strong understanding of child protection practices while adhering to guidelines.
Critical-thinking skills and independent judgment.
Ability to enter data into multiple computer programs and learn and apply new computer skills regularly.
Knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to read and understand instructions, correspondence, and department policies and procedures, and to write correspondence.
Ability to communicate effectively with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, and community partners in individual and small-group settings.
Ability to clearly communicate concepts, directives, and goals to employees, professionals, and state and community representatives.
Ability to apply mathematical concepts and calculations and use common sense to solve workplace problems.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, high-volume, changing work environment and remain calm and professional in high-stress and conflict-filled situations.
Knowledge of effective conflict resolution and ability to de-escalate hostile situations.
Pass required criminal and Department of Human Services background checks, including CBI/FBI fingerprint checks; remain subject to CBI/FBI monitoring during employment.
Submit college transcripts before the first day of employment.
Obtain and maintain Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker Certification during employment.
Have a valid driver’s license and liability insurance; pass an MVR evaluation and remain subject to continuous monthly MVR monitoring and random drug screens.
Provide personal transportation and be willing to travel and transport clients as needed.
Pass the required pre-employment substance/drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field.
For the journey level, one year of experience working in a public or private social services agency.
For the journey level, one year of experience working in Child Welfare.
For the journey level, one year of experience working with community partners and knowledge of community resources.
Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish, including professionally interpreting and translating between English and Spanish.
Bilingual English-Spanish ability is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing case management and develop or modify treatment plans addressing safety and risk issues identified during intake assessment.
Assess safety, permanency, and well-being through monthly face-to-face contacts and engagement with children/youth, parents, and caregivers.
Help families identify and address barriers to case-plan progress and timely permanency.
Promote and advocate for permanency with parents or relatives, or through adoption, within 12 months of case opening.
Testify clearly and concisely at related hearings.
Prepare complete, accurate, and timely court letters and case documentation, including contact records, safety and risk assessments, and case-closure records.
Provide families with resources and referrals to community agencies and services, and serve as a liaison to facilitate services.
Place and monitor children in out-of-home placements, including foster or kinship care, when emergency substitute care is needed.
Communicate necessary information to care providers and maintain contact with them throughout placements while serving as the open caseworker.
Partner with the legal department to ensure legal standards are followed and considered in cases.
Work with assistant county attorneys to provide case updates and prepare for court hearings.
Collaborate with Department units and attend RED teams, family engagement meetings, group supervision, staff meetings, training, supervisory meetings, and other agency or community meetings as requested.
Maintain and develop knowledge and skills through meetings, conferences, seminars, and in-service training.
Apply skills gained through state training and learn required duties, Department policies, and guidelines from supervisors, trainers, and mentors.
Demonstrate developing competence through pre- and post-tests, trainer observations, and County Department verification for certification.
Understand and implement Colorado child welfare rules and regulations in the State Department of Human Services Volume 7 guidelines.