Social Caseworker – Children, Youth, & Family Services (Institutional Abuse Review Team)

El Paso County•El Paso, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is part of the Social Caseworker - Children, Youth, & Family Services (CYFS) career progression series. The role involves investigating allegations of abuse and neglect involving children in licensed and institutional settings, including child care, residential, and ABA facilities, while also conducting traditional child welfare assessments. The Social Caseworker will interview children, families, and involved parties; collaborate closely with licensing agencies, facility leadership, other counties, and child welfare teams; and synthesize information from multiple sources to make informed decisions about child safety. This specialized role is suited for individuals who can manage complex details, communicate effectively across professional systems, and approach sensitive investigations with confidence, objectivity, and care. The position works to preserve and/or rehabilitate families while protecting children's physical, emotional, and mental well-being through child protection, adolescent services, placements, and/or permanency plans. Based on position assignment, coordinates the practice and is responsible for primary decision-making of child protection practices or coordinates the services and secondary-service decisions as related to safety, permanency, well-being and preserving families.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher from a higher education institution with course work related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker as stated in Volume 7. 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.
One year of professional, internship, or volunteer work experience in a human service-related agency.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance as stated within El Paso County’s Personnel Policies Manual.
Must obtain and maintain necessary certifications as applicable to the position.
Must possess or obtain Colorado State Child Welfare Caseworker Certification within ninety days of course enrollment and maintain certification thereafter.
Must pass conditional post-offer background investigation, including fingerprinting, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.
College transcripts required prior to the date of hire.

Nice To Haves

Case management or casework experience.
Experience with licensed childcare and/or residential facilities.
Experience working with law enforcement.
Successful completion of a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work (BSW) or Master's Degree of Social Work (MSW) internship in a human services-related agency may substitute for the required experience.

Responsibilities

Interviews clients and develops appropriate treatment plans; initiates and/or participates in home studies, and provides intensive casework services to families and children; investigates allegations of child abuse and assesses imminent danger for children; makes referrals to community resources and collateral contacts.
Monitors and reports clients' progress and provides service recommendations/referrals.
Ensures that needed services are being provided, that treatment plans are being followed through in a timely manner and determines the appropriateness of the placement and services provided.
Addresses child safety issues in the home to mitigate safety concerns; ensures that children in the department's custody or supervision receive necessary interventions.
Provides crisis management and coordinates support services for clients to resolve problems and conflicts.
Acts as a liaison for the DHS and consults with other caseworkers and community professionals on case situations, treatment/case plans, issues, and problems.
Provides casework and assessment services for teams within the Practice Unit.
Attends and testifies in court hearings and mediations as needed; completes appropriate paperwork, documentation, reports, reviews, etc. for court hearings monitors clients' compliance with court orders; serves temporary custody notices and petitions the court for verbal orders.
Prepares for and participates in meetings and staffings.
Documents all contacts and ensures that all paperwork and documentation are accurately completed and filed; completes necessary case information reports, inputs updates into database.
Arranges and provides transportation for clients to appointments, therapy, school, court hearings, pre-placement visits, etc.
Ensures compliance with Federal, State and County laws, outcome measures, rules, and regulations; reviews cases to ensure case plans are developed and implemented.
Provides support to Practice and Support and Services teams within the CYFS Division as needed.
Collects and reports statistics and data on unit and outcomes and performances.
Facilitates meetings as needed.
Performs other duties as required.