[INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY] Social Services Intake Worker

Nicollet County•North Mankato, MN

About The Position

The Social Services Intake Worker supports the Nicollet County Health and Human Services department by providing intake, information, and referrals to residents seeking social services or help finding community resources. The position processes requests for county-provided services and urgent needs, including civil commitments and child maltreatment reports; responds to vulnerable adult reports; maintains intake and other records; provides on-call services; and participates in professional staff development. The position is under the direct supervision of the Behavioral Health Supervisor or Child Protection and Licensing Supervisor. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and may include additional evening and weekend hours.

Requirements

Valid Minnesota driver’s license.
Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences or a related field, including social work, psychology, or nursing, from an accredited college or university.
Ability to listen, comprehend, and communicate information effectively, both orally and in writing, with all individuals.
Ability to demonstrate initiative, integrity, ethics, and excellence in work performance.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to make critical observations under stressful circumstances.
Ability to conduct reports, analyze findings, and prepare documents.
Ability to analyze problems, troubleshoot issues, and offer and implement solutions based on research, analysis, experience, and judgment.
Ability to complete thorough documentation and maintain client files.
Ability to comply with data practices policies and standards.
Knowledge of and experience with computer hardware, technology, programs, software, and systems generally used in an office and specific to department operations, such as Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat, or similar software.
Skill in using a computer, Microsoft Office, and related software applications.

Responsibilities

Receive and process requests for emergent services, including child protection reports, vulnerable adult abuse reports, and requests for civil commitment.
Request detailed information from callers, including pertinent psychological, medical, or educational records, and complete relevant record checks using multiple databases.
Screen reports for imminent harm or serious injury requiring an immediate response.
Collaborate with community partners to gather necessary information, including law enforcement, corrections agencies, attorneys, therapists, medical providers, chemical dependency services, housing services, domestic violence services, employment services, schools, and residential treatment providers.
Serve as the public’s initial contact for determining potential eligibility for social services programs.
Provide education and referral information about available services, resources, and eligibility requirements.
Complete intake for social services programs by gathering detailed information through phone, email, fax, or in-person contact.
Coordinate with clients and providers to obtain required eligibility documentation and provide short-term service coordination while clients await eligibility determinations.
Work with social services program teams to facilitate intake and service provision.
Monitor the intake log to ensure timely responses.
Track time using SSIS and maintain case records in accordance with Federal, State, and local guidelines.
Follow County, State, and Federal policies, rules, and regulations.
Provide emergency on-call social services as assigned.
Provide intake-specific new employee orientation for social services staff.
Participate in social services meetings, including programmatic team meetings, Multidisciplinary Team Meetings, and screening team meetings with protective services staff, County Attorney’s Office representatives, and local law enforcement representatives.