Child Protection Worker

Ramsey County•Plato Building, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The current vacancy is in the Children and Family Services Division of the Social Services Department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County. To investigate, assess and provide intervention and treatment services in order to protect children from child abuse, neglect and exploitation; to prepare and implement case management plans for the treatment of child abuse, the protection of victims; to participate in legal actions arising from child abuse case activities; and perform related duties as assigned. This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in a social/behavioral science and 12 additional credits eligible for tuition refund or equivalent.
Six months of experience in child welfare social work or one year general social work experience.
All employees must successfully complete all continuing education requirements for child protection workers as specified by state law.
Successfully complete all continuing education requirements for child protection workers as specified by state law.
Pass the training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire.
Pass a criminal background check.
Successfully complete all continuing education requirements for child protection workers as specified by state law.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Ramsey County Case Aide Senior may substitute for general social work experience on the basis that two years Case Aide Senior experience equals one year of general social work experience.
A maximum of two years Ramsey County Case Aide Senior experience can be substituted for general social work experience.
A Master's Degree in Social Work or other related social/behavioral science may substitute for the experience requirement.

Responsibilities

Investigate reports of child abuse (including physical or sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation) within legal limits by interviewing and taking formal statements from family members and other involved persons, and by interviewing children in accordance with approved child interviewing methods in order to refute or substantiate reports, determine whether children are in immediate danger of abuse and to document information needed for court proceedings and protection planning.
Initiate necessary child protection actions, such as petitioning for court orders to remove children or parents from the home, arranging for in-home services or contacting police in order to provide immediate protection for children.
Assess individual and family ability to respond to treatment by evaluating clients' cognitive skills, motivation to change, and past history of treatment in order to develop reasonable case plans.
Write and implement protection plan to reduce the risk of further abuse or neglect, maintain the family unit intact and ensure that needed services are used.
Write and file with court a formal case plan according to required format for any child in placement or involved in court proceedings.
Identify family needs and make referrals to other agency or community resources such as residential treatment, public health services or parent counseling.
Gather information (such as social histories, client compliance with previous court orders, and list of possible witnesses) and prepare reports for submission to the County Attorney for use in petitioning for court intervention such as termination of parental rights or provision of protective supervision.
Testify at legal proceedings, recommend future court reviews and prepare other witnesses to testify.
Provide crisis intervention by assisting clients to obtain emergency housing, food, clothing, financial assistance or protection.
Provide individual and family counseling, behavior modification programming and other treatment such as play therapy to improve family functioning, prevent child placement or facilitate family reunification.
Transport or arrange transportation for clients to medical appointments, court hearings, placements, and other mandated services to assist clients to receive service.
Monitor clients' progress toward established service goals and compliance with court orders to determine need for continuation of services.
Arrange for adoption, long-term foster care or independent living situation for children when attempts at family reunification have failed to provide a safe home.
Physically remove unwilling child from harmful environment to place in safe residence.
Write social histories and accurate case records (such as service referrals, quarterly evaluation of client progress toward goals, legal actions) according to department requirements.