Child Protective Service Worker Senior

Office of Shared Administration•Upshur, WV

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Elevate Your Impact as a Lead Advocate! Are you an experienced caseworker ready to take on higher-level responsibilities and serve as a pillar of expertise for your team? We’re looking for a Child Protective Service Worker Senior to handle our most complex cases and provide peer leadership within the unit. This role is designed for the seasoned professional who excels in high-stakes clinical decision-making, mentors junior staff, and serves as a primary liaison between the agency and the judicial system. Under general supervision, perform complex Child Protective Services casework. Work requires advanced judgment concerning multifaceted cases involving the abuse/neglect/exploitation of minors. Requires attendance of necessary training to keep up with evolving case work procedures. Demonstrate effectiveness to train, assign, and review the work of others as a lead worker. This level of child protective service work is characterized by serious and complicated casework that requires advanced judgment of possible dangerous situations to both worker and client. Personal vehicle required for travel. Overtime and on-call during non-regular business hours required. Must be available and have access to telephone. Performs related work as required. This position is for the Bureau of Social Services. Applicants must possess a valid WV driver’s license, and reliable transportation. Applicants also must have strong communication skills, both oral and written, and maintain detailed case records and extensive documentation. Overtime hours and frequent travel may be required. Successful completion of a background check is required for employment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience performing social services, probation and enforcement services, or community support and welfare services for adult and child protection.
Valid driver’s license.
Reliable transportation.
Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
Ability to maintain detailed case records and extensive documentation.
Must be available and have access to telephone.
Applicants hired into this classification must obtain licensure as a social worker from the West Virginia Board of Social Work within a timeframe established by the appointing agency. Until licensure is obtained, they may not perform duties that require a licensed social worker under state law or Board regulation.

Nice To Haves

Advanced clinical expertise in identifying chronic neglect, severe physical abuse, and complex family dynamics.
Proven mentorship abilities, with a track record of guiding Associate and entry-level workers through difficult field situations.
Superior analytical skills to review case data, identify trends, and develop creative solutions for families with significant barriers to success.
A mastery of the legal system, including the ability to draft sophisticated court documents and provide expert testimony in high-profile proceedings.
One (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience as a Child Protective Service Worker may substitute for the required experience (Internal Applicants Only).

Responsibilities

Manage a specialized caseload involving high-risk or high-profile cases that require advanced intervention strategies.
Serve as a Lead Worker, providing technical assistance, coaching, and peer review of documentation for Associate and regular-level CPS workers.
Conduct “Joint Investigations” with law enforcement and medical specialists in cases of severe trauma or criminal intent.
Draft and present complex permanency plans to multidisciplinary teams, advocating for the long-term stability of children.
Act as a hearing officer or agency representative in administrative reviews and high-level court hearings when the Supervisor is not available.
Train, assign, and review the work of others as a lead worker.
Keep up with evolving casework procedures through necessary training.