Hotline Caseworker - Hybrid Work Model

Arapahoe County • Aurora, CO

6d • $22 - $32 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Hotline Caseworker works in the intake screening unit of the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services. The role receives referrals concerning child abuse or neglect, adult abuse, neglect or exploitation, youth services, and other crisis situations involving these populations. The caseworker gathers complete and accurate information from reporting parties, makes an initial assessment, and supports an appropriate case disposition.

The position works Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, in a generally standard office environment that can be stressful, fast-paced, and challenging. The role requires communicating with callers and reporters during crisis situations, assessing safety issues, identifying needed services and community referrals, and exercising judgment to support the immediate safety of children and adults.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field.
• The human behavior science degree must include coursework equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in areas such as human behavior development, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques. Examples include social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and child development.
• Basic understanding of social casework principles and methods and knowledge of child abuse and neglect, adult abuse, neglect and exploitation, adolescent development, aging and development, cultural issues, child development, parent-child conflict, and psychiatric and medical problems.
• Knowledge of agency and state rules, regulations, and procedures; effective parenting methods; and maladaptive family dynamics.
• Ability to read and process verbal and written information and elicit information from callers accurately and promptly.
• Skill in obtaining clear and accurate information used to make decisions affecting clients' health, safety, and well-being; communicating concisely; and relating to clients and reporters in an emotionally supportive manner during crises.
• Knowledge of community resources relevant to the Department's responsibilities and ability to match resources to identified problem areas.
• Ability to assess immediate crises and establish an action plan with minimal supervision to ensure the immediate safety of children and adults.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions in a supervisor's absence while following agency policies and procedures.
• Ability to stay calm, organized, and in control under stress, maintain complete and accurate information, and prioritize a crisis caseload.
• Required behavioral competencies: accountability, accessibility, inclusivity, and integrity.
• Must pass pre-employment testing, including an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Must possess a valid Class R Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Must complete fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check for required security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Receive incoming crisis calls and determine the reported problem and its urgency.
• Use expanded screening questions to gather information, assess cases, identify safety issues, determine needed services and community referrals, and identify information needed for case disposition.
• Provide support and counseling while a matter awaits disposition by a supervisor or RED Team.
• Complete thorough record checks on reports using state and county systems, including Trails, CBMS, and Colorado Courts.
• Provide community resources and information by telephone and email; process police and school reports and prioritize follow-up on them.
• Complete follow-up work and return calls requested by the RED Team to gather information relevant to disposition decisions.
• Attend and participate in RED Teams routinely.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time