Social Caseworker B- Intake (Hybrid Work Model)

Arapahoe County•Aurora, CO

1d•$54,589 - $81,831•Hybrid

About The Position

The Intake Social Caseworker B provides professional casework and complex case management for families in which child abuse or neglect is present or suspected. Under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff, the caseworker assesses family needs and child safety, recommends and implements services, helps families build positive support networks, and works toward permanency and well-being for children, youth, and families. Intake services include assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, crisis intervention, resource mobilization, and information and referral related to child protection. The position works with families and professionals to assess safety and services, address referral concerns, monitor progress, identify and reduce barriers to permanency, and strengthen parental protective capacities. The role includes regular family contact, coordination with community and legal partners, case documentation, court participation, and ongoing training. The position follows Arapahoe County’s integrated Two-Generation approach to coordinating services for children and adults together. This is a hybrid position requiring three days in the office, at either the Aurora or Littleton location. Work also involves time away from the office for home visits, collateral contacts, and transporting children and clients. The role may involve contact with hostile or angry clients and is designated essential for emergency events. Permanency casework staff may be asked to participate in an on-call rotation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution, including at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in human behavior science, plus one year of professional casework, case management, or human services experience; alternatively, completion of a child welfare internship with direct service to children and families, or one year of volunteer service in a human services agency at 20 hours per week.
A master’s degree in social work or a related human behavioral science field satisfies the education requirement without experience.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field may qualify with 15 semester or 25 quarter hours in human behavior science and two years of professional experience in public or private human services agencies.
Applicants with a master’s degree in an unrelated field may qualify with one year of experience.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, high-volume work environment and handle high-stress, complex situations while remaining calm and professional.
Effective conflict-resolution and de-escalation skills, with the ability to make decisions confidently.
Ability to communicate positively and professionally and maintain working relationships with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, coworkers, supervisors, providers, state officials, and community partners.
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize, take initiative, and multitask.
Ability to present information, write reports and business correspondence, and respond to courts, managers, customers, agencies, coworkers, and the public through fax, telephone, and email.
Ability to clearly communicate concepts, directives, and goals to employees, professionals, and state and community representatives.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office and state and county computer systems, and ability to learn and apply new computer skills regularly.
Successfully pass pre-employment testing, including an acceptable motor vehicle record and background check.
Possess a valid Class R Colorado Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within two weeks of employment.
Complete fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check after employment.
Successfully complete the Colorado Pre-Service Training Academy before hiring or, if hired, pass all required State of Colorado training to become certified as a caseworker.
Be available for winter storms and other emergency events; permanency casework staff may be asked to work on-call on a rotating basis.
Meet the county’s required behavioral competencies: accountability, accessibility, inclusivity, and integrity.

Responsibilities

Provide professional case management by assessing safety and service needs with families and other professionals, addressing referral concerns, monitoring case progress, identifying barriers to permanency, and helping families eliminate those barriers.
Implement additional services that build parental protective capacities and help prevent recurrence of abuse or neglect.
Collaborate with families and collateral contacts—including law enforcement, medical personnel, CASA and GAL representatives, treatment providers, schools, and family support networks—to gather information and coordinate services, schedules, and crossover or transfer meetings.
Establish rapport with families; attend family meetings, service reviews, and staffing to develop knowledge of cases; communicate in a timely manner; and review pertinent documentation and reports.
Complete monthly face-to-face contacts with children and families to support effective assessment and case disposition decisions.
Prepare case-specific documentation, including family service plans, court documents, TRAILS contact notes, assessments, placement paperwork, service referrals, and visitation assessments, within regulated timeframes.
Gather and consolidate background information for court hearings, judicial review progress reports, and summaries that support appropriate placements.
Attend court hearings and testify when necessary; confer with lawyers, children, parents, witnesses, and other significant parties about their roles.
Participate in scheduled supervision, team, unit, and division meetings; contribute to RED team, Family Team Meetings, and professional development work groups.
Complete required and continuing education annually and obtain training or additional professional knowledge as needed.
Maintain Child Welfare Certification through 40 or more hours of yearly training and complete required State of Colorado training for caseworker certification.