Child Welfare & Intake Specialist

Chisago County•Chisago Lake Township, MN

2d•$37 - $49•Onsite

About The Position

The Child Welfare and Intake Specialist provides intake, assessment, and case management services for Child Protection, Child Welfare, and PSOP programs, and supports Child Protection teams with other tasks as needed. The role is in the Health & Human Services Department and is based at the Government Center. It is a full-time appointed position represented by Teamsters Local 320. The position reports to the Social Services Supervisor and has no supervisory responsibilities. The specialist handles Child Protection, Child Welfare, and PSOP intake reports; gathers and assesses information; triages cases; and collaborates with law enforcement, the County Attorney’s office, and multidisciplinary agencies. The role also provides child welfare and PSOP assessments, referrals, safety planning, service coordination, case planning, ongoing case management, and court-related services. Child Protection services operate around the clock, and the position requires the ability to provide after-hours on-call support, including phone or in-person client contact. The work is performed in both an office and clients’ homes. Field work may involve adverse weather, loud conditions, exposure to contagious diseases or parasites, and potentially violent people or domestic animals. The position requires driving and use of a vehicle, and includes physical activities such as walking, reaching, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor of Social Work degree, or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in any field plus one year of experience as a social worker in a public or private social services agency.
Ability to manage issues and challenges associated with working in a Child Protection environment.
Ability to ensure personal and client safety.
Ability to identify risk factors and establish intervention approaches.
Ability to apply integrated case management and professional ethics.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external individuals and groups.
Ability to work respectfully and effectively in cross-cultural situations with diverse cultures, social groups, and family values.
Effective oral and written communication skills for sharing information, representing client and agency goals, and reaching agreement on issues.
Ability to manage workload independently and efficiently, meet acceptable time frames, and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to manage conflict and use dispute resolution, problem-solving, and negotiation skills collaboratively.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently with a wide variety of computer programs and systems.
Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.
Ability to drive and operate a vehicle.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Master of Social Work degree.
Previous child protection experience.
Successful completion of a Child Welfare Specialization within a degree program, including field placement in a child protection or child welfare setting serving IV-E eligible families.

Responsibilities

Enter Child Protection, Child Welfare, and PSOP intake reports into the SSIS data system.
Respond to intake reports, interview reporters, and contact collateral sources to gather additional information.
Interview walk-in clients requesting social services.
Triage and assign cases requiring an immediate response.
Collaborate with law enforcement, the County Attorney’s office, and other multidisciplinary agencies on screenings.
Serve as a member of the Multidisciplinary Child Protection Team.
Use human services and data systems to obtain allowable background, assessment, and screening information.
Provide after-hours on-call support, which may include phone or in-person client contact.
Complete Child Welfare and PSOP assessments and case management services.
Assess service needs for children in child welfare reports, PSOP cases, and Family Assessments as needed.
Provide information and referrals, and services needed for family and child safety planning.
Assess the need for services and ongoing case management for Child Welfare and PSOP cases.
Identify appropriate services and develop client case plans.
Work with other professionals as a team to provide client services.
Perform court-related work, including preparing court reports, monitoring court-order conditions, providing testimony, working with the County Attorney and defense counsel, and preparing petition memorandums.
Provide Child Welfare assessment and case management services to children under age 13 who commit delinquent acts.
Provide case management services as needed.
Participate in training and meetings as requested.
Maintain effective working relationships with county, state, and community partners and committees.
Adhere to HIPAA, Data Practices, and County and Department policies and procedures.
Maintain automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.