ASAP Caseworker - 164442

What Success Looks Like In This Job

We are seeking a professional, well organized, caring candidate to respond to reports of child abuse/neglect and provide intensive crisis intervention and assessments of families' needs, including domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, environmental conditions, and caretakers' capacity to parent. This may include determination of need for out-of-home placement for children; identifying and utilizing the strengths of the family; determining risk and/or safety issues for children; making plans that best meet the safety, well-being, and permanency needs of children; providing services to families in crisis; and working in partnership with community and collateral agencies. Additionally, this role provides task support to the Children and Family Services Division and strong collaborations skills are required.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Responds to child abuse and neglect reports that warrant immediate assessment.
• Assesses reports of abuse and neglect of children. Interviews and observes victims, offenders, witnesses, caregivers, and collateral agencies to ensure the safety of the child and determine the validity of the allegations.
• Recognizes and identifies family protective and risk factors, and dynamics of child abuse, child neglect, and overall family functioning.
• Provides intensive crisis intervention with families to assess for safety and risk concerns, the need for ongoing services, and assess for ways to maintain children in the home, with their family.
• Maintains timely, accurate case records of assessment, activities, and plans; writes summaries, reports, letters, and memos. Works diligently to meet federal and state mandates and timeframes.
• Collaborates with Children and Family Services Division when requests are made for task support.

Qualifications for Success

• Knowledge of the Colorado Children's code and Volume VII for the federal and state mandates, which govern our efforts and provide the legal basis of child welfare practice.
• Knowledge of human behavior principles, child development, family dynamics, and neglect and abuse dynamics.
• Knowledge of resources and alternatives to placement to aid in case direction.
• Knowledge of casework principles, assessments, and intake investigations; ability to complete assessments and determine case direction.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in the use of the state automated child welfare information system.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently use the court to assist in getting treatment for clients, as well as ensure due process.
• Ability to utilize personal vehicle or other mode of transportation to make visits to client's homes, travel to court, and other public facilities.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

Experience:

• Professional, internship, or volunteer work experience in a human services related agency.

• A bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution with course work related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker. 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.
• An educational waiver is available for those individuals who do not meet the education requirements to be a social caseworker and are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program from a higher education institute. A bachelor’s degree must be obtained within one (1) year from hire date with related coursework to job duties as outlined in 7.603.1 (Click here for more info). If a degree is not obtained within one (1) year from hire date, employment with the agency may be impacted including, and up to termination. Employee will be responsible for updating the hiring manager every six (6) months of their education progress.
• Proof of education, (degree or transcripts), and license (if candidate has received one) are required.

• Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker certification required and must be completed within three (3) months of employment, through the Colorado Child Welfare Training System (CWTS).
• Possession of a valid Driver's License and proof of automotive insurance.

• Ability to work in a standard office environment.
• Ability to utilize personal vehicle or other mode of transportation to make visits to client's homes, travel to court and other public facilities in all types of weather.
• Ability to lift and carry (1-50 lbs.) infants and small children in the care and custody of the County, as well as the ability to carry large case files.
• Ability to conduct home visits in unknown and uncontrolled settings which may include animals, feces, airborne contaminants, gang members, weapons, and other environmental hazards.

• Work Schedule: This position works a 4/10 schedule Monday through Friday 1:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. (with one weekday and Saturday’s and Sunday’s off); Emergencies may extend the workday.