Child Protection Permanency Caseworker

Compensation Range

$32.99 - $42.88

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Job Description Summary

Position closes 11/09

Apply learned and trained knowledge and abilities in professional casework under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff. Provide ongoing child protective services to families with open cases including case management, ongoing safety management and treatment planning with the primary goal to strengthen the ability of families to protect and care for their own child/youth, prevent continued and future involvement with the child welfare system and ensure permanency planning. Promote safety, permanency, and well-being for the child/youth with a family plan that contains clear objectives, action steps and outcomes to facilitate reunification and the prevention of future out of home placement or ongoing child protection involvement.

Work office will be established, but employee may perform work on the Greeley Campus or at one of the other satellite offices when required. Reliable, predictable, attendance Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendance outside of standard business hours may be required depending on business needs. This position is in-person and may be eligible for occasional telework options upon successful completion of initial training and demonstration of high work performance. Work may involve time away from a standard office environment, which may consist of driving to and from home visits and in transporting children. Work may occur in situations in client's homes, which could be considered a hostile or unsanitary environment. After hours or on call work situations may occur on occasion to provide support to families that need services outside of normal business hours.

Entry level: $32.99-$42.88
Journey level: $33.28-$44.93

Ideal candidate traits:
•Keeps children’s need for timely permanency at the center of decisions
•Builds trusting relationships with parents, children/youth, kin, and foster families
•Strong writer, able to produce clear, accurate court reports
•Comfortable testifying and presenting recommendations in court
•Works collaboratively with GALs, attorneys, therapists, and community partners
•Trauma-informed and culturally responsive
•Resilient and emotionally grounded in difficult situations
•Believes in families’ capacity to change while staying focused on child safety
•Bilingual (English Spanish) desirable

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Job Description

Entry Level: A training level position with intensive supervision and/or coaching by the County Department in which assignments are limited to fifty percent (50%) of the county’s average caseload or ten (10) assessments/cases at any given time, whichever is less, are planned and

devised to develop and teach professional social casework techniques, basic foundations, and concepts appropriate to the assigned areas. The Entry Level position is not exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Journey Level: A novice level position with intensive supervision and/or coaching by the County Department. Caseload will gradually increase throughout a 12-month period and will be capped to seventy-five percent (75%) of the county’s average caseload or fourteen (14) assessments/cases at any given time, whichever is less. Trainings plans are devised to develop and teach professional social casework techniques, basic foundations, and concepts appropriate to the assigned areas. The Journey Level position is exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Assessment and Case Management - 60%

• Provide professional ongoing case management by working with family and other professionals to develop and modify treatment plans that address the safety and risk issues identified during the intake assessment.
• Access safety, permanency, and well-being through monthly face to face contacts and engagement with child/youth, parents, and caregivers.
• Monitor and assist the family in identifying and eliminating barriers to case and/or treatment plan progress and timely permanency.
• Promote and advocate for achieving permanency with parents or with relatives or through adoption within 12 months of the case opening.
• Testify at corresponding hearings in a clear and concise manner.
• Complete court letters thoroughly, accurately, and timely.
• Complete all case documentation accurately and timely. This includes records of contact, safety and risk assessments, case closure, and other case related documentation.
• Provide resources and referrals of families to other community agencies and services.
• Serve as liaison with other community agencies to facilitate services.
• Place and monitor children into out of home placements such as foster or kinship care when in need of emergency substitute care.
• Has clear and necessary communication with the care providers to ensure they have the information needed to care for the children properly.
• Maintain contact with the care provider throughout the duration of the placement while performing as the open caseworker.

Collaboration - 20%

• Partner with the legal department to make sure all legal standards are being complied with and considered in cases.
• Work closely with the assistant county attorneys to ensure they have the latest updates on the case and that you are prepared for court hearing.
• Collaborate with other units within the Department to ensure maximum potential for success.
• Attend RED teams, family engagement meetings, group supervisions, staff meetings, staff training, regular supervisory meetings, and other agency or community meetings as requested.

Development - 15%

• Maintain and increase knowledge and skills through attendance to meetings, conferences, training seminars and in-service training sessions.
• Apply skills and knowledge gained from successful completion of the State training for new caseworkers.
• Learn from assigned Child Welfare Permanency Supervisor, Child Welfare Trainers, and Child Welfare permanency mentors on how to perform required duties within the Child Welfare system in Weld County and understand Department guidelines and policies.
• Demonstrate an emerging level of competence through pre and post-tests, trainer observation, and verification by the County Department as outlined in the request for certification.

Policies and Procedures - 5%

• Understand and implement rules and regulations for Child Welfare organizations in Colorado outlined in the State of Colorado Department of Human Services Volume 7 guidelines.
  

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Required Qualifications

Required Education

• Entry Level: 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.
• Journey Level: 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. Six (6) months professional or volunteer work experience in a human service-related agency OR One (1) semester of internship in a child welfare setting.

Preferred Education

• Entry Level: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field.
• Journey Level: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field. One (1) year of experience working in a public or private social services agency. One (1) year of experience working in Child Welfare. One (1) year of experience working with Community Partners and knowledge of community resources.
• All Levels: Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish in a proficient manner. Ability to interpret and translate between English and Spanish using professional language.

Skills and Abilities

• Candidate must possess ability to keyboard at 40 words per minute.
• Candidate must possess a high level of flexibility and a strong understanding of Child Protection practices while adhering to guidelines.
• Candidate must demonstrable skills in critical thinking and independent judgment.
• Candidate must possess the ability to enter data into several different computer programs.
• Candidate must possess the ability to learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis.
• Candidate must possess the knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Windows and Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Candidate must possess the ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence and department policies and procedures.
• Candidate must possess the ability to write correspondence.
• Candidate must possess the ability to effectively communicate in one-on-one and small group situations with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, and community partners.
• Candidate must possess the ability to clearly articulate concepts, directives and goals to employees, professionals and state and community representatives.
• Candidate must possess the ability to apply math concepts and calculations in the work environment.
• Candidate must possess the ability to apply common sense to problem solve in a work environment.
• Candidate must possess the ability to adapt to fast paced, high volume and ever-changing work environment and be able to handle high stress and conflict filled situations while remaining calm and professional.
• Candidate must be well versed in effective conflict resolution and possess ability to deescalate hostile situations.
• Candidate must pass criminal background check prior to employment start date.

Licenses and Certifications

• Candidate must pass Department of Human Services background checks prior to employment start date. (Required)
• Candidate must pass a CBI/FBI fingerprint check prior to employment start date and will continue to be subject to CBI/FBI monitoring throughout employment. (Required)
• Candidate must submit college transcripts prior to the first day of employment. (Required)
• Candidate must obtain and maintain Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker Certification during employment. (Required)
• Driving is essential in this position.
• Candidate must have a valid Driver’s License and Liability Insurance. (Required)
• Candidate must pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) evaluation and if hired, will be subject to continuous monthly MVR monitoring and random drug screens throughout employment. Candidate must provide own transportation and be willing to travel and transport clients as needed to meet the essential functions of the position. (Required)
• Pre-employment substance screening is required for this position.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing the screening in accordance with Weld County policy.

This position is non-exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore eligible for overtime pay.

As an applicant for this position, you should be aware of Senate Bill 19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The act requires employers to announce the pay range for job openings.

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Use the link below to get a closer look at the generous benefits offered:

https://www.weld.gov/Government/County-Information/Join-Our-Team/Employee-Benefits

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Weld County is an equal employment opportunity employer. We ensure that all employment practices are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. Weld County pledges to uphold a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, promoting fairness and dignity for all employees. We actively take affirmative action to comply with nondiscrimination policies and invite qualified individuals in need of reasonable accommodations to contact our Human Resources Department at [email protected] or (970) 400-4234.