Indian Child Welfare Case Worker
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Case Worker
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Location: Longview, WA
Classification: Non-Exempt
Opening Date: July 21, 2022
Salary Range: $28.62 - $40.07 per hour DOE (updated wages)
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Position Summary:
Provides and coordinates the necessary services to help prevent the breakup of Native families. Ensures the efficient and effective delivery of Indian Child Welfare (ICW) program services by coordinating and participating in culturally relevant child and family welfare services with Cowlitz Tribal families, legal department, state courts, and state department social service specialists on behalf of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. The ICW Case Worker maintains professionalism in all interactions with internal and external customers. Adheres to confidentiality and grant contract requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Program.
***If you are a Tribal Member and/or a Veteran and would like this status to have preference in hiring, please list this on your cover letter and/or resume***
This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities include the following, and other related duties as assigned.
- Provides child and family welfare services to Tribal members that have come to the attention of CPS.
- Monitors cases to ensure the implementation of culturally relevant services to families; manages case progress towards the goal of family reunification.
- Remains in regular contact with state social service specialists regarding cases; reviews court reports; provides updated to CIT legal; attend court hearings as needed.
- Ensures state social service workers are adhering to Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) requirements and all efforts intended to maintain or reunite a child with his/her family.
- Coordinates with Enrollment Department to determine eligibility of child(ren) for the purposes of ICWA; documents eligibility decision in all files.
- Ensures compliance with Tribal ICW policies and procedures.
- Works closely with Cowlitz Legal Department on all case related information for legal ICWA cases Provides updates to legal department on states compliance with ICWA prior to all court cases.
- Participates in recruitment and retention of tribal foster homes; helps facilitate and engage in relative search for Cowlitz placement preferences as needed.
- Engages families with CIT services and resources or other culturally relevant services as needed.
- Provides resources and information to state social services specialist regarding tribal or culturally relevant services for families; develops and maintains working relationships with HHS and CIT departments and external social services agencies.
- Develops and maintains staffing and related documents for ICW Committee; participates in regular and emergent staffing.
- Maintains accurate database and case documentation of all services, contacts, referrals and court compliance reports for each case in a timely manner.
- Adheres to Cowlitz Indian Tribe Placement Preferences per tribal resolution; attends all meetings facilitated by the state for Cowlitz cases.
- Facilitates Positive Indian Parenting classes for tribal community as needed.
- Provides prevention related services for cases not in a dependency to Cowlitz families when needed.
- Maintains confidentiality of child(ren) and family.
- Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
- Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
- Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
- Knowledge of HHS programs, outreach services and activities, funding agencies, and community and social services.
- Knowledge of the CPS, ICW, family court systems, and legal advocacy.
- Knowledge of ICWA.
- Knowledge of case management.
- Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software programs in a Windows environment.
- Skill in treating community members, providers, and other professionals with empathy, tact, courtesy, and respect.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
- Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
- Knowledge of HHS programs, outreach services and activities, funding agencies, and community and social services.
- Knowledge of the CPS, ICW, family court systems, and legal advocacy.
- Knowledge of ICWA.
- Knowledge of case management.
- Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software programs in a Windows environment.
- Skill in treating community members, providers, and other professionals with empathy, tact, courtesy, and respect.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Requirements:
This position requires qualified applicants to be fully vaccinated including COVID-19 vaccines on their first day of employment.
Background Investigation Requirements:
- Pre-employment drug screen.
- Reference checks, education, and employment verification.
- Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
- Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.
- FamLink Child Abuse and Neglect check to ensure no history of findings.
***If you are a Tribal Member and/or a Veteran and would like this status to have preference in hiring, please list this on your cover letter and/or resume***
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and a Drug & Alcohol-Free workplace.
Except as provided by Title 25 CFR, Section 472 which allows for Indian preference in hiring, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, politics, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.