Lead Social Caseworker C-Permanency (Hybrid Work Model)

Arapahoe County•Aurora, CO

2d•$67,423 - $90,014•Hybrid

About The Position

Arapahoe County Child and Adult Protection Services positions are hybrid and require 3 days in the office, which could be at either the Aurora or Littleton location. The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we’re here for our neighbors on their best days—and their worst. We share our residents’ goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we’re proud to call home. Our Mission: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence, and stability of individuals and families.Our Vision: To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)ACDHS uses an integrated Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design, continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long term stability and sustainability.The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse and building strong communities. This is a Lead Social Caseworker specific to Permanency. Child Protection Permanency is responsible for working with families through the closure of their case by providing continued assessment of needs and safety, providing recommendations and implementation of services, followed by a treatment plan, assisting the family in building of a positive support network and sustainability plan with the goal of permanency and wellbeing for the children, youth, and family. The lead social caseworker position is expected to take and provide leadership with and among the team, and act on behalf of the supervisor when the supervisor is not available. This position provides guidance to fellow co-workers, interns, and acts as a consultant to other agency staff. The lead social caseworker will perform assigned lead casework over team members and assist the supervisor to establish unit goals, plans, and specific unit functions. In addition to acting as team lead, the incumbent also performs the duties of a full case carrying caseworker. A lead social caseworker will perform senior level case work by providing social work services with assignments including the provision of extensive assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, crisis intervention, resource mobilization and information and referral around all areas of child or adult protection. They will provide intensive case work services for high profile, complex and serious cases.

Requirements

Strong communication and listening skills within the organization and with the community.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
Ability to use various electronic systems and Microsoft programs.
Ability to document accurately and professionally.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field and two (2) years of professional child welfare casework experience.
A Master of Social Work or a human behavioral science field and one (1) year of professional child welfare experience.
In order to meet the minimum educational requirements of a human behavioral science degree, the applicant must have a degree with major course work (equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours) in either development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures or therapeutic techniques such as social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and child development.
Categorically Eligible Degrees: For the purposes of meeting minimum educational requirements, the following degrees obtained from an accredited university will be considered “categorically eligible,” meaning no review of transcripts is required – Bachelor of Arts and/or Master of Arts degree in the following areas of study: psychology, sociology, social work, counseling, child development.
Psychology
Sociology
Social Work
Counseling
Child Development
Criminal Justice courses relevant to child welfare: This includes courses covering topics in juvenile justice, family law, family conflict, general court procedures, interviewing techniques, dispute resolution, and mediation.
Foreign language courses
Anthropology courses relevant to cultural development and history, linguistic development, and communications. Physical anthropology courses do not count toward minimum requirements.
History courses relevant to family and cultural development
Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
Will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.
Completion of supervisory academy and obtaining state certification.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years of child welfare social casework experience.

Responsibilities

Carry full workload in addition to providing guidance and leadership to follow co-workers, interns, and agency staff.
Support the training and development of new or less experienced caseworkers that encourages professional growth and commitment to excellence and help to create and implement a system that helps caseworkers manage their workloads at a high volume and fast pace.
Assist supervisor and perform supervisory roles in their absence, supporting directives and maintaining effective communication with the supervisor. Keep supervisor apprised of issues that my impact the team.
Demonstrate competencies and critical decision-making skills when working with assessments or cases and lead by example and set a precedent for other caseworkers.
Models and coaches to best practice and taking on an active and positive role on the team and in the agency. Encourage and model both taking and demonstrating responsibility.
Staying abreast of and adhering to agency policies and procedures.
Conscious of resources and striving to maximize their use. Acts as a liaison to contracted providers.
Assist with program management and opportunities to pilot new opportunities.
Involvement in agency committees, acts as liaison with external services or substitutes for the supervisor on meetings and committees. Attend monthly team leader meetings.