III (Nucla, CO)

Montrose County•Nucla, CO

13d•$25 - $36•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides intake and/or ongoing social casework to adults, children and/or families. Assignments may fall under the following areas: Child Protection, Adolescent Services, Adult Services, Foster Care/Retention, Adoption, and Life Skills. Develop case plans to address specific issues. Make referrals to other agencies, when appropriate. Caseworker III handles more complex cases, including those with severe allegations such as mental illness, sexual abuse, human trafficking, and child fatalities. Caseworker III also provides guidance, mentoring, and training to other caseworkers and may act in a lead capacity.

Requirements

Caseworker I/II: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a Human Behavioral Science field, OR 5 years of relevant experience in Long Term Services and Supports can substitute for the Bachelor's Degree. Some combination of education and relevant experience also fulfills requirements.
Caseworker III: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the human behavioral science fields.
Caseworker I: Minimum of one (1) year experience in human behavioral sciences field preferred.
Caseworker II: Minimum of two (2) years full-time casework experience in adult protective, child protective or juvenile services or in a related field.
Caseworker III: Minimum of three (3) years Caseworker II experience.
Required Knowledge (Caseworker I/II): Scope and application of laws and regulations pertaining to physical abuse, sexual abuse, caregiver/self neglect, child/adult welfare, and elderly or disabled adult services. Principles, practices, and objectives related to case management, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling. Ability to assess risk, develop treatment or service plans, and counsel family and clients on methods of problem resolution. Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
Required Knowledge (Caseworker III): Knowledge of unit's functions, policies, and procedures. Working knowledge of State regulations, principles, practices, and protocols. Working knowledge of mental illness issues, substance abuse, homelessness, and medical terminology. Ability to utilize a variety of state rules and regulations to ensure state compliance. Ability to adhere to confidentiality rules and regulations.
Language Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Ability to interpret, apply, explain and enforce applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures. Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and technical information. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex and technical documents. Ability to read, comprehend and translate information from written or graphic formats. Ability to write policies, procedures, correspondences, speeches, articles, manuals, and create presentations. Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations. Ability to prepare industry-specific technical reports and budgeting information. Ability to effectively communicate with the public, officials, employees, and community agencies.
Interpersonal Skills (Caseworker I/II): Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Strong customer service orientation and ability to work collaboratively. Ability to interact professionally and diplomatically. Ability to manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Skill to organize workflow and accomplish objectives. Ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Interpersonal Skills (Caseworker III): Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Ability to work with the media to maintain a positive image. Ability to interact professionally and diplomatically. Ability to manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Ability to diffuse intense situations with diplomacy and professionalism. Acumen to navigate political waters. Commitment to the County’s mission, values, and core beliefs. Ability to provide leadership, guidance, and feedback. Respect for experience, cultural, and overall diversity.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Skills: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logical and deductive processes. Ability to make sound judgments, decision making, problem solving, while planning, directing, and monitoring work. Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend or implement best options. Ability to consider concrete and abstract variables. Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence, and precedents. Ability to present material clearly and logically. Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and complete work under pressure.
Office Technology/Computer Skills: Ability to effectively use modern office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Fundamental experience with word processing, database manipulation, spreadsheets, and email. Ability to save and retrieve documents. Ability to learn relevant software and programs.
Physical Demands: Regularly required to talk and hear. Frequently required to sit and stand for long periods. Use hands and fingers to handle or feel. Reach with hands or arms. Required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch. Ability to respond to customer needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand-eye coordination. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices. Frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle. Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours. Ability to work in stressful situations.
Special Requirements (Caseworker I/II): Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record. Willingness to work outside of traditional business hours. Willingness to travel overnight and long distances for trainings or client transportation. Must complete drug testing, fingerprint background check, and Central Registry/TRAILs background check. Successful completion of NIMS IS 100 and 700 within one year of employment. Work flexible hours, including holidays and weekends. Act as a credible witness when testifying in court. In Child Welfare: Must successfully complete or have completed the CDHS provided New Caseworker Training, Fundamentals of Child Welfare within the first four months of hire. In Adult Protection: Must successfully complete or have completed the CDHS provided Adult Protection Academy within 6 months of hire.
Special Requirements (Caseworker III): Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record. Willingness to work outside of traditional business hours. Willingness to travel overnight and long distances for trainings or client transportation. Must complete drug testing, fingerprint background check, and Central Registry/TRAILs background check. Successful completion of NIMS IS 100 and 700 within one year of employment. Act as a credible witness when testifying in court. Expand knowledge base by successfully completing special training (e.g., forensic interviews, CDHS provided Supervisor Academy). For Child Welfare Case Workers: Must be part of an on-call rotation schedule, remaining near a telephone/cell phone/pager and responding promptly. Must be mentally and physically able to perform required work.

Nice To Haves

Caseworker III: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work preferred.
Caseworker I: A minimum of one (1) year experience in human behavioral sciences field.
Caseworker III: Expand knowledge base by successfully completing special training to manage cases (i.e. forensic interviews, CDHS provided Supervisor Academy).

Responsibilities

Assesses allegations and safety risks of referral cases, including receiving referrals, completing intake and assessment forms, and assessing home safety or need for out-of-home placement.
Provides crisis intervention and ongoing counseling to assist families in decision-making and problem resolution; acts as an advocate for the client.
Coordinates client services and safety with other County departments, professionals, and outside collateral agencies (e.g., law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, foster care services).
Designs treatment or service plans to address risk and needs assessments, establishes goals and objectives, and coordinates client services and referrals.
Prepares and presents case information and documentation to the courts, state review proceedings, and for communications with attorneys and/or other professionals.
Refers clients to outside state and community resources.
Monitors compliance or non-compliance and determines appropriate course of action.
Handles emotionally charged people and situations, and deals with various types of human suffering.
Develops and writes documentation, completes necessary forms, and writes correspondence relevant to each case.
Performs data entry and ongoing case updates in the system.
Meets accurate timelines for data system entry and reports.
Provides education for clients and the community on assigned topics.
Participates in various committees and boards related to program activities and responsibilities.
Interprets and applies rules and statutes governing the responsibilities of the position.
Trains, mentors, and assists in the professional development of assigned caseworkers and staff (Caseworker III).
Acts as a backup to the Caseworker Supervisor and on-call caseworker (Caseworker III).
Guides and mentors caseworkers on more complex or specialized caseloads (Caseworker III).
Initiates and follows through on community education and communications (Caseworker III).