Social Caseworker – Children, Youth, & Family Services (Kinship Unit)

El Paso County•El Paso, CO

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

El Paso County is seeking a Social Caseworker for its Kinship Unit within Children, Youth, & Family Services. This role is crucial in supporting children who cannot safely remain with their parents by identifying, assessing, and supporting kinship caregivers. The position involves collaborative work with families, caseworkers, and community partners to maintain family connections while ensuring child safety, permanency, and well-being. The caseworker will support relatives and kin-like caregivers during family crises, identify and assess safe kinship placements, complete necessary assessments and licensing, ensure timely payment to providers, connect caregivers with resources, and guide them through the child welfare system. Ongoing support and guidance will be provided throughout the case. This is a child protection position that includes engaging families. Flexibility in work hours may be needed periodically to accommodate client schedules. The standard workday is Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, but this is subject to change. A hybrid schedule may become available after the initial evaluation period. Additional background checks, including a Government Program Fraud check, Child Welfare Abuse & Neglect database check, and Child Welfare Caseworker Falsification check, are required due to the sensitive nature of the role. This position may close without notice if enough qualified applications are received. The role focuses on preserving and/or rehabilitating families while protecting children's physical, emotional, and mental well-being through child protection, adolescent services, placements, and/or permanency plans. Depending on the assignment, the caseworker will coordinate practice and make primary decisions regarding child protection or coordinate services and secondary decisions related to safety, permanency, well-being, and family preservation. This position is part of the Social Caseworker - Children, Youth, & Family Services (CYFS) career progression series. Employment is subject to El Paso County's Personnel Policies Manual. Regular in-person presence is an essential job function.

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. A degree in progress that is conferred by the start date may be considered.
One year of professional, internship, or volunteer work experience in a human service-related agency.
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.
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.
Knowledge of casework practices, procedures, and guidelines.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with co-workers, clients, other agencies, community professionals, the courts, and the public.
Ability to provide excellent customer service.
Ability to efficiently plan, schedule, and organize.
Ability to assess situations and make prudent and appropriate decisions; ability to apply conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
Ability to accurately and efficiently complete paperwork, reports, and documentation.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to use standard office equipment to include computer, fax machine, copier, and telephone.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Nice To Haves

Additional background checks may be required, including a Government Program Fraud check, Child Welfare Abuse & Neglect database (TRAILS) check, and Child Welfare Caseworker Falsification check.

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.