Social Worker, Child Protection

Hennepin County (MN) • Minneapolis, MN

375d

About The Position

The Child Protection division of Human Services Public Health in Health and Human Services is seeking to fill multiple Child Protection Social Worker (CPSW) vacancies. The primary functions of these positions are listed below. Each individual vacancy will have specialized duties and responsibilities depending on the area of assignment: Investigations, Case Management, and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Investigations or Case Management. The new Child Protection Social Workers will participate in the induction training on Hennepin County's policies, procedures, and practices as well as mandated Department of Human Services training. This will include in-person and virtual instructor-led training, court room training, job shadowing other Child Protection Social Workers on a rotational basis, and close supervision while receiving initial case assignments. Hennepin County is an agency that strives towards an equitable, respectful, and diverse workplace. Individuals hired into these positions will support decreasing disparities in this work and will work towards supporting families, youth, and children in a trauma informed and culturally appropriate way.

Requirements

• Master's degree or higher in social work or a closely related field with course work emphasis in areas such as social work methods, human growth and behavior, or principles of social welfare.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services, and 18 semester (27 quarter) credits or more of graduate work in the above areas, and three or more years of full-time equivalent experience as a social worker.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services, and 18 semester (27 quarter) credits or more of graduate work in the above areas, and one or more years of full-time equivalent experience in child welfare or completion of a Hennepin County internship in child welfare.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services, and two or more years of full-time equivalent experience in child welfare.
• A valid driver's license, the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit and daily access to reliable transportation sufficient to transport clients (including children) and to attend court hearings and various other meetings.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of and experience working with child protection systems.
• Internship and/or volunteer experience in a social services environment.
• Experience providing comprehensive social worker case management services with children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Experience developing care and case plans that meet the needs of and ensure safety and stability for clients and families.
• Experience partnering with social workers, departmental staff, collateral resources, and others to develop work agreements and outcome-focused relationships.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations/assessments of alleged maltreatment by interviewing alleged victims, offenders, parents, and witnesses.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals (school and daycare staff, law enforcement, medical care providers, etc.) to gather pertinent information regarding child safety and risk.
• Assess for needs and strengths of each family, making referrals for services internally and/or in the community.
• Determine if maltreatment occurred, who is responsible for the maltreatment, and what measures are needed to ensure the child(ren) are safe.
• Provide direct social work services to families in which abuse or neglect has been determined to have occurred.
• Support and connect families in creating sustainable safety and develop a plan for permanency when children are not able to safely return to their parent's care.
• Represent in Juvenile Court by the County Attorney's office and report and carry out the statutory mandates.
• Attend online interactions, meetings, and court hearings remotely.
• Conduct in-person visits in client homes and various other community locations.

Benefits

• Meaningful work
• Public service
• Competitive pay
• Work-life balance
• Generous benefits
• Opportunities to grow
• Commitment to your success

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree