Social Worker I/II - Children's Social Services Division

Washington County, MN•Grant, MN

34d•$68,494 - $99,154•Hybrid

About The Position

Washington County Community Services is looking for a passionate and caring child protection social worker for our Hiring, On-boarding and Training Team. This child protection social worker position will begin in a training unit focused on general child protection with opportunities to shadow, meet all of the teams, team cases with another social worker and begin foundations training, while awaiting a vacancy on one of the five child protection teams. There are two front end teams (Intake/Investigations and Family Assessments) and three ongoing child protection teams (including some specialty areas such as concurrent permanency planning and adolescent services). Front end services are fast paced and respond to reports of child abuse and neglect. Those positions involve engagement with families in sometimes intense situations, safety planning, written assessments, connecting families to services and working with external partners, including the court system. Ongoing child protection services includes voluntary and court involved families, working with children, youth and their parents or caregivers, including kids who are in their home and kids in out of home placement. Parents may be struggling with mental health, chemical health, school attendance, abuse, neglect, parenting issues, or other issues that have led to needing services and support. For all areas of child protection, safety of all family members is a priority, along with permanency and wellbeing. Someone who enjoys helping family systems, finding natural supports, locating community resources and services, examining risk vs. safety, working collaboratively, and believes in family preservation whenever safely possible would be a good fit for this position. The position involves going into people's homes, driving clients, and being able to work independently and as part of a team. The ideal candidate will be flexible, curious, engage with their trainer and coworkers, and would be open to working in any area of child protection. This position will require strong skills at engagement, time management, organization, and the ability to respond calmly and appropriately in high emotion situations. The ability to be timely and accurate at documentation is critical in child protection. Child protection positions require strong working relationships with parents, coworkers, supervisors, courts, Guardians ad Litem, relatives, foster care providers, schools, and mental health professionals. There will be occasional evenings required and transporting children or parents in and out of Washington County. The ideal candidate for this position will be able to provide support and empathy for parents going through the child protection system. During the training period, working in the office will be expected. After training, there may be some opportunity to telework when not out in the community. The Social Worker I is an entry level position responsible for identifying and assessing complex individual, family and community problems and strengths, selecting case work, group methods or community resources and implementing plans to protect vulnerable people, promote independence and prevent abuse or neglect. A Social Worker I may be assigned duties in any of the following units: Family/Children, Licensing, Chemical Health, Adult Mental Health, Development Disabilities, Adult Family Services, Adult Protection, Minnesota Family Investment Program/WorkForce Center or Housing.

Requirements

This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field, or equivalent.
Demonstrates knowledge of the principles, techniques, practices and ethics of Social Work
Demonstrates knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills at conducting interviews
Demonstrates knowledge of relevant laws, policies and resources
Demonstrates knowledge of social and economic problems and family systems
Demonstrates knowledge of legal and court proceedings
Demonstrates ability to assess vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals and families
Demonstrates ability to develop clear and reasonable services and plans
Demonstrates ability to coordinate implementation of services and plans with families, other agencies and the community at large
Demonstrates ability to counsel and offer supportive services to individuals and families including those in crisis
Demonstrates ability to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to complex situations.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Social Work (or closely related field)
Experience interacting with and providing services to individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
One year of paid social work experience in a county agency
Work experience as a Social Worker in Child Protection
Paid work experience as a social worker working with children and families
Experience using SSIS
A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field and one year of related experience as a Social Worker is highly desirable.
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field and four years of full-time work experience as a Social Worker in a public human services agency and/or a private human services agency that contracts services with a public human services agency. A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field may substitute for up to one year of required Social Worker experience. Required Social Work experience must have occurred after receipt of Bachelor's Degree.

Responsibilities

Coordinate client intake:
Receive referrals, conduct interviews and investigate to identify and assess problems or need for intervention/service
Develop, write, implement and monitor strength-based individual and family service plans to correct/eliminate identified problems
Determine appropriate resources and referrals to community-based care and services
Develop and implement abuse prevention plans to address vulnerabilities.
Determine and implement intervention services:
Assess risks to self and others (abuse or neglect and dangerousness)
Intervene in crisis situations
Coordinate and secure emergency services
Negotiate and resolve conflicts.
Provide client case management:
Collaborate and consult with others (professional staff and community agencies) regarding clients, community services or programs
Open and maintain client case records and files according to established standards and timelines,
Prepare necessary correspondence, required narratives, eligibility reviews and other incoming/outgoing communication about the client
Provide appropriate information regarding case openings, closings, and denials
Provide testimony or written recommendations in county or district court or in administrative appeal hearings regarding client cases
Advise clients of possible resources, rights and responsibilities under programs or services
Develop, coordinate and deliver program information to the general public, special interest groups and professional organizations.
Perform other duties as assigned.