Social Worker - Children's Mental Health

Otter Tail County•500 Fir Avenue West Fergus Falls, MN

About The Position

Otter Tail County is hiring a full-time Children's Mental Health Social Worker to coordinate and monitor mental health services for children and their families. Social workers provide intake, assessment, direct services, and case management in their assigned service area. They establish collaborative relationships and support unit and agency goals, policies, and procedures to deliver services within available resources. This position maintains a caseload requiring assessment and ongoing social services, including arranging and monitoring out-of-home placements for children with severe emotional disturbance. The Social Worker develops service and treatment plans, coordinates and monitors services, uses county and community resources, maintains case documentation, and may prepare for and testify in court proceedings. The role also includes collaboration with families, providers, agency staff, schools, community groups, the County Attorney's Office, and relevant committees. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with generally scheduled hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is safety-sensitive and subject to pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing, as well as testing under other stated circumstances. Employment offers are contingent on passing a background investigation and reference check. A standard one-year probationary period applies.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with a major in social work, psychology, sociology, or a closely related field; OR bachelor's degree in any field and one year of experience as a social worker.
Valid driver's license.
Pass a pre-employment background investigation and reference check.
As a safety-sensitive employee, submit to pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing, as well as testing upon reasonable suspicion or cause, return-to-duty, follow-up, and post-accident.

Responsibilities

Assess clients' health and safety using social history, presenting problems, observations, and intake information; identify immediate risks and take appropriate action.
Conduct formal assessments and screenings, analyze information, and assess risk of institutionalization.
Arrange and monitor out-of-home placements for children diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance; facilitate pre-placement screening and discuss alternatives when appropriate.
Help clients develop service plans, including out-of-home placement plans, and create treatment plans and interventions.
Authorize funding as applicable and monitor implementation and effectiveness of case plans and services.
Provide case management and connect families and individuals with county and community resources.
Maintain case files, records, and documentation, including timely case notes and related records in SSIS.
Complete ongoing training and education; participate in conferences and workshops.
Advocate for and develop system changes and services.
Consult with program and unit staff and inform clients about service options and access processes.
Interpret applicable laws, rules, and policies.
License providers as required by state statute and county agency responsibilities.
Prepare, document, and testify in court actions; assist the County Attorney's Office with petitions for Family Court, Juvenile Court, and commitments.
Represent the unit, department, or agency in community assignments and groups; provide public relations services and speak to school and community groups about Children's Mental Health Services.
Act as designated legal representative for county or state wards by determining or authorizing medical, educational, residential, advance-directive, and end-of-life services.
Coordinate or delegate responsibilities among team members and providers and monitor services to ensure client needs are met.
Participate in Touch Programs in Otter Tail County school districts as needed and attend Children's Mental Health LAC meetings as an ex-officio member when requested.
Participate in other committees as needed.
Attend scheduled staff and supervisor meetings, conferences, and trainings; complete timesheets and employee records promptly and communicate schedule changes to the supervisor.
Use the agency In/Out board consistently to inform staff of availability and use SSIS for case management and time documentation.
Perform other assigned duties and may assist with duties under the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.