Social Worker - Home and Community Based Services

Houston County is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Social Worker vacancy in the Public Health & Human Services Department. This position is a part of the Home and Community Based Services team. Primary duties include MNChoices Assessments, managing a disability/waiver client caseload, and related work as required.

POSITION PURPOSE

Reporting to the Social Services Supervisor or Public Health Supervisor, a Social Worker provides direct client services in areas of social work expertise involving complex social problems and social treatment plans; provides work direction to paraprofessional staff; and performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Social Workers perform much of their work independently.  Individual Social Workers are a member of the Adult Services team, the Children’s Services team, or the Home and Community Based Services team (HCBS). Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are critical for the effective provision of these critical services. SWs may occasionally be called to work outside of regular office hours. Individual SW duties may be assigned based on County need.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES                                                                                                          Estimated % Time

1.  CASE MANAGEMENT Manage caseload inherent to area of agency social work supporting individuals/families in one or more of the following areas: waiver/case management services to persons with disabilities; adult and children’s mental health, vulnerable adults; adults or children with mental health or chemical dependency needs and/or forensic services (adults involved with law enforcement/corrections) Conduct case evaluations and determine appropriate services  Draft petitions for Civil Commitment and protection orders; review MAARC adult protection reports; work closely with law enforcement as appropriate  Prepare and manage case plans; provide VA, DD, CADI, CAC and BI waiver case management for vulnerable adults provide or arrange for the provision of services for clients, referring clients to appropriate community services and communicating with treatment teams; ongoing, timely communications with clients Organize and participate in team meetings of multidiscipline teams, e.g. Adult Protection Multidiscipline Team Explain programs to clients, refer clients to appropriate community services  Explain policies and regulations to clients, including explaining State and federal (HIPAA) data privacy  Explain social and emotional factors to others involved in treatment of clients Provide preventive services; safety and crisis planning  Maintain client records in SSIS compliance with State, federal, and local criteria ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completeness	65%
2.  INTAKE Interview clients at intake; conduct needs assessments  Perform pre-petition screening interviews with clients	15%
3. COURT PROCEEDINGS Consult with clients, parents, foster parents, school staff, psychiatrists, psychologists, guardians ad litem, attorneys and others in connection with case objectives  Prepare requisite documents including social histories, investigative findings/reports and recommendations; deliver to the County Attorney’s Office and other agencies within mandated timelines Attend/testify in court proceedings; perform court visitor functions as designated by court  Implement judicial findings and court orders Participate in jail discharge planning meetings	15%
4. OTHER DUTIES Provide feedback/input to Lead SW and SS Supervisor potential program and service quality improvement measures   Provide work direction to social work interns and paraprofessional staff as assigned Provide public information on social service programs to the community and special groups upon request  Attend regional and statewide meetings as assigned and participate in in-service training and other staff development activities Maintain contemporary, discipline specific knowledge of field of practice; attend regional and statewide meetings as assigned and participate in in-service training and other staff development activities	5%

This description provides the general list of responsibilities and is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position and classification. It is intended only as an illustration of the various types of work performed.  The position description is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or closely related fields from an accredited college/university with a supervised field placement providing case management and/or counseling services to individuals and families

-OR-

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in any field
• One year of experience as a social worker in a public or private social services agency 

-AND-

• Minnesota DHS Agency Social Worker Merit qualified 

PREFERRED CRITERIA/EXPERIENCE

• Current MN Social Work License 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of contemporary principles and practices of social work case management including social casework objectives, principles and methods for the assigned field
• Ability to manage time productively and to prioritize caseloads 
• Familiarity with Person Centered practice and ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their relatives, and the public
• Strong working knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing/recording for specific client populations and intake
• Knowledge of relevant assigned area of social service practice, examples include:
  • Working knowledge of children’s mental health diagnosis and treatment, and specifically, children’s mental health case management principles 
  • Working knowledge of adult mental health and the commitment process
  • Working knowledge of Elderly services including, Adult Protection, and Waivered Services
  • Working knowledge of Chemical Dependency and Addition
• Strong understanding of family systems and dynamics and the social-economic factors, which promote stable family life and understanding of the elements, which affect family security 
• Ability to communicate with and understand the problems faced by families from varied cultural and economic levels 
• Knowledge of relevant federal and State regulations pertaining to assigned area of social service practice
• Working knowledge of legal processes, e.g. Rule 20 proceedings, discharge planning, and processes related to working with incarcerated clients and clients on probation
• Knowledge of County agency operations, policies and procedures
• Solid working knowledge of relevant MDHS and County software programs
• Knowledge of community/regional resources and their respective functions
• Ability to work constructively within the agency and the community to effectively utilize appropriate resources and services 
• Knowledge and understanding of individual and group behavior 
• Ability to work constructively within an agency and in the community and to effectively utilize regional resources and services 
• Ability to work constructively in the development and coordination of community resources in discharge planning and to meet special needs 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in communications with the County Attorney’s Office, the courts, as well as with individuals from various backgrounds and who may be highly emotional

POST-EMPLOYMENT

• Comprehensive knowledge of SSIS
• Strong working knowledge of County and the Public Health & Human Services Department policies

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

In compliance w/ the Americans with Disabilities Act the following represents the Physical/Environmental Demands
 

FUNCTION	N/A	<25%	25% - 49%	50% - 74%	>74%
Office Environment					X
Sitting				X
Standing, Walking			X
Hand Dexterity - Simultaneous/Repetitive Hand Movements				X
Typing/Data Entry			X
Close Vision (Near Acuity)			X
Distance Vision (Far Acuity)	X
Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)	X
Accommodation (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)			X
Hearing/Speech					X
Sedentary (Exert up to 10 pounds of force)					X
Light (Exert up to 20 pounds of force)		X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds		X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to fifty (50) pounds		X
Lifting or pushing of objects over fifty (50) pounds	X
Adverse movements such as overhead, bending, reaching		X

NOTICE  

A County employee in this position may encounter non-public data as defined by Minnesota or federal law in the course of their position. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the defined job duties. While data is being accessed, the employee shall take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data is not accessed by unauthorized individuals. Once the work purpose to access the data is reasonably finished, the employee must properly store and secure the not public data in accordance with applicable County policies as well as Minnesota and federal law. All employees are expected to become familiar with and comply with the requirements of the County’s Data Practices and Data Security Policies.  A breach of these policies may lead to disciplinary action against the employee. 

Status:                         Non-Exempt                                        

Band:                           C41            

Job Category:             Professional                            

Labor Group:               AFSCME

Last Reviewed:           05.2020

PLEASE NOTE: APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION REQUIRES TWO APPLIATIONS BE SUBMITTED 

1. Submit your application to the Minnesota Merit System for County Agency Social Worker by 4:30 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, by going to: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/mnmeritsystem/default.cfm and clicking on job posting: County Agency Social Worker - Bachelor's (011-OC).

2. Submit your online application to Houston County by 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2026, by clicking the green "APPLY" button on this page.  Please attach a cover letter and copies of any applicable licenses/certifications to your application file. If special accommodations are needed to complete the application for employment form, please contact the Houston County Personnel Office at 507.725.5822.