Children's Services/ICW - CPS Investigator

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

About The Position

Responsible for conducting investigations of cases involving allegations of abuse and neglect of Indian Children within the Puyallup Tribal Jurisdiction as mandated by the Child and Family Protection Code of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Initiates life-changing decisions based solely on the best interest of the children.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (B.A. in a related field or a B.S.W.) from a four-year college or university and two years of experience in CPS investigations or direct social service experience required.
Intermediate word processing skills (Microsoft Word) is required.
Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Must have and maintain a current First Aid and CPR certification and HIV/AIDS training certificate.
Must pass Washington State DSHS criminal history and CPS background inquiry every two years unless otherwise indicated.
Willing to attend training for professional development.
Must pass tuberculosis test.
Must be available on nights and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Working with Native American children and their families is preferred.
Experience interviewing children and families is preferred.
Knowledge and experience using spreadsheet applications (Microsoft Excel) is preferred.
Internship hours completed in a social work setting may count as experience.

Responsibilities

Works collaboratively with assigned Caseworker and families in developing initial case plans.
Takes reports of child abuse/neglect allegations and conducts a thorough investigation and makes a determination regarding the nature of the allegations.
Create intake, case notes, and document all pertinent information.
Promptly follows up with supervisor and initiates appropriate actions if requested.
Consistently provide active efforts throughout the investigation to safely maintain children in their family home.
Partners with DCYF when outside of Puyallup reservation boundaries or other tribal workers to complete investigations of child neglect/abuse.
Completes safety assessments, which may result in a safety plan, an out-of-home placement, or filing a dependency petition.
Develops safety plan in collaboration with families when appropriate. Monitors the progress of parents involved and makes referrals to service providers as identified in safety plan.
Facilitates out of home placement when necessary in collaboration with Law Enforcement and/or the Court. Determines placement resources and alternatives for children in accordance to the Child and Family Protection Code.
Prepares detailed, comprehensive and fact-based affidavits and testimony to court in accordance to the Child and Family Protection Code. Attends predetermined and emergency court proceedings. Stays informed of all court proceedings.
Adhere to all of the Child and Family Protection Code timeframes which includes all court required filings.
Conducts CPS investigations in PTCS Licensed home in conjunction with Licensing Division (LD) and Child Placing Agency Program Manager, on allegations against Foster parents and provides thorough and complete findings of referral to all parties (i.e. Director, CW, DCYF, LD, etc.)
Required to promptly respond to after-hours CPS situations as needed.
Interview referrers and document information received, including asking clarifying questions, obtaining details and assessing the information provided.
Will make appropriate collateral contacts when conducting investigations in reported cases of child abuse/neglect.
Maintains up to date case records of the CPS investigation; includes but not limited to case notes, court documents, collateral contacts, face to face interviews, school and health records, police reports, all CPS history available and any financial records collected.
Prepares and presents various case summaries for team, supervisor and the Puyallup Tribe Indian Child Welfare Act Committee when needed and applicable.
Maintains and ensures extreme level of confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries regarding client.
Prioritize workload based on client needs.
Transport clients to and from appointments as needed.
Completes all appropriate background clearances prior to placing a child in a home.
Ability to adapt and be flexible to constant changes in Tribal and State Children’s Services systems.
Adheres to the Child and Family Protection Code; Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect.
Participates in departmental staff meetings and trainings.
Will continuously engage in professional development including but not limited to, cross training throughout the department and keeping up with the latest trends and best practices of child welfare service delivery.
Participate in departmental community outreach.
Performs other duties as assigned.