Foster Care Trainer/Certification Caseworker

Jefferson County CO • Littleton, CO

1d • $62,000 - $64,500 • Onsite

About The Position

Jefferson County Human Services' Caseworkers provide Child Welfare services using Partnering for Safety techniques to engage families as well as daily management of placement referrals and placement options. This position includes Trainer/Certification Caseworker duties for the Collaborative Foster Care Program of Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties. Employee will be primarily stationed at Arapahoe Plaza building in Littleton, CO. The Trainer/Certification Caseworker is responsible for the organization and delivery of the Pre-Certification Training Series and ongoing training for the program. This position is responsible for ensuring that potential applicants are motivated to provide temporary foster care services to abused and neglected children in the custody of Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson County Department of Human Services. This position is responsible for the certification, supervision, support and retention of foster and kinship foster care providers. Other job duties include assisting other team members as needed, as well as providing back-up coverage to the Placement Desk, by assisting in covering calls (general program and inquiry for certification) and securing placement resources. May also assist with recruitment efforts and other duties as assigned. The ideal applicant will have high energy and enthusiasm with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment . They should enjoy flexibility and variety in their job duties and have a desire to work with families and other professionals in a team setting. This position will be responsible for daily use of the Trails database system, the Caseworker Application Timesaver (CAT ) and the Integrated Case Management System (ICM), foster care policy, rules and regulations, as well as Volume 7 regulations for foster care certification. SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) training is or must be obtained after hire. The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required . The County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. SCHEDULE: Personal Choice Work Model: After six months of employment, all employees can work with their supervisor to develop a personal choice work model and schedule that works best for them and ensures all role expectations are met . This means an employee may choose to work from the office more or from home more, with some general expectations such as in-person tasks required by role. In this position you must be available for some evenings and weekends. This position is located at 1690 W. Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120.

Requirements

• Education: A bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution with course work related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker. Course work examples can include and are not limited to, the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques
• This position requires thorough knowledge of theories, principles, and concepts of social caseworker practice related to child protection.
• Knowledge of caseworker principles and methods of human needs and behavior pertaining to child development, parenting, attachment, and separation.
• Knowledge and skill in interviewing techniques, crisis intervention methods and relevant treatment modalities.
• Knowledge of community resources, of agency rules, regulations and procedures related to child protection issues.
• Ability to independently analyze complex situations, formulate plans and make quick decisions as needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious professional relationships with other employees, outside agencies, and public.
• Ability to testify effectively in court hearings.
• Exceptional organizational skills are to effectively manage the volume of work and prioritize tasks.
• In addition, candidate must become familiar with foster care policy, rules and regulations, as well as all Volume 7 regulations for foster care certification.
• Participate in planned recruitment and retention activities.
• Learn TRAILS tasks pertinent to resources screens.
• SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) training is or must be obtained after hire.
• Criminal History and MVR Background Checks are for every position.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references.
• Must not have one of the following convictions: Child abuse, crime of violence, unlawful sexual behavior, or felony for domestic violence.
• Must not have a felony involving physical assault, battery, or drug-related offense within the past five years.
• Must not have a pattern of misdemeanor convictions within the past 10 years.
• Must have valid driver's license, if you are from out of state, you must obtain a valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of hire date and you must not have any major violations, including DUI, DWI, and/or DWAI conviction(s) in the past three years.

Nice To Haves

• Prior training experience and excellent public speaking skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

• This position coordinates and conducts pre-certification training for potential foster, kinship foster, and adoptive families. The initial application and certification process for these families will be handled by this position. In addition, ongoing training needs of Collaborative Foster Care Program foster homes will be evaluated and supported by this position.
• This position coordinates and conducts pre-screening meetings with individuals interested in applying to become a foster parent with the program. This meeting is designed to help determine if the strengths and goals of the prospective applicant are aligned with the needs of our children and the values of our program.
• This position is responsible for the assessment, certification, monthly monitoring, support, and retention of foster and kinship foster care providers. Provides ongoing or crisis intervention to providers as needed. Utilizes skills/framework developed from Partnering for Safety practice.
• This position is also responsible for annual home study updates, training, and consultation for foster families. The candidate assesses the physical safety of the home, character and background of the family, their experience in working with children, their knowledge of child development, and any risk factors to children who may be placed in their home. Ongoing support is provided to the family after certification to assist the caregiver in meeting children’s needs. Families are also monitored for meeting continued certification requirements.
• The ideal candidate must familiarize themselves with the foster care policy, rules and regulations, as well as Volume 7 regulations for foster care certification. Structured Analysis Family Evaluation certification will be after hire.
• This position will be responsible for the presentation of applicants to the Certification Review Team for approval. Employee will match foster children and providers, consult with staff from the Collaborative Foster Care Program and provide placement information to ensure children are placed in levels of care to meet their needs.
• Work involves conducting bi-weekly community information meetings (“Information Night”) regarding the Collaborative Foster Care Program. This will require evening and weekend work.
• Makes collateral contact with community resources to learn about and secure information or services for the foster care program. This position is available to present at other agency meetings, such as investigation reviews, family engagement meetings, matchings for adoption, group supervision, etc.
• This position participates in staffings as needed within the agency and outside the agency with other professionals.
• Manage a workload of up to 8 certification cases at any given time while in this role.

Benefits

• Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, remote work options and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees