POSITION TITLE:   SOCIAL CASEWORKER II

               POSITION NUMBER:   HSD.1381

                         DEPARTMENT:   HUMAN SERVICES

                STARTING SALARY:   $3,489.13 PER MONTH

    APPLICATION DEADLINE:   04/10/2008

 

 

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, A COMPLETED LARIMER COUNTY EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION (EITHER ONLINE OR HARD COPY) MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE LARIMER COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY 5:00 P.M. ON THE CLOSING DATE.

 

ALL NEW EMPLOYEES AND REHIRES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT FINGERPRINTS FOR A CBI CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK (C.R.S. 26-6-104)

 

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR REIMBURSED BUSINESS USE:

A LICENSED, INSURED VEHICLE WHICH SEATS THREE PASSENGERS WITH SEAT BELTS

AND A MOBILE TELEPHONE.

 

Provides intake and/or ongoing social casework services to families where child or juvenile abuse or neglect is present or suspected.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

·         Assess allegations and safety risks of referral cases to include receiving referrals, completing intake and assessment forms, and assessing need for out-of-home placement.

·         Provide crisis intervention and on-going counseling, as needed, to assist families in decision making and problem resolution; act as advocate for client.

·         Coordinate client services and safety with other County departments, professionals, and outside collateral agencies (i.e. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, and foster care services).

·         Design a treatment plan to address risk and needs assessments, establish goals and objectives, and coordinate client services and referrals.

·         Prepare and present case information and documentation to the Courts, state review proceedings, and for communications with attorneys and/or other professionals.

·         Refer clients to outside state and community resources.

·         Monitor compliance or non-compliance; determine appropriate course of action.

·         Provide education for clients and the community on assigned topics.

·         May facilitate community service labor-intensive work crews.

·         Assess strengths and needs of children and families and develop strategies to ensure safe environment.

·         Oversee kinship and foster care providers and facilities; develop and present recommendations to supervisor and certification review team.

·         May be responsible for assessing new cases and referring each case to a specific unit; determine response time frame needed for each case; perform research to obtain additional information from other agencies and individuals as needed.

·         Consult with lower level Social Caseworker staff on strategies for managing difficult or complex cases.

·         Attend seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate, to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in field; review professional journals, attend association and professional meetings, and otherwise maintain contacts with professionals to facilitate exchange of information.

OTHER DUTIES:

·         Participate in various committees and boards related to program activities and responsibilities.

·         Perform other duties as appropriate or necessary for performance of the job.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

·         Principles, practices, and objectives as related to case management, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling in a child welfare program.

·         Scope and application of laws (Colorado Children’s Code, Volume VII) and regulations pertaining to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and child welfare.

·         Department and County rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standard operation procedures.

·         Routine software and business applications including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.

·         Medical symptoms related to injuries or failure-to-thrive in children.

·         Advanced level of casework techniques including in-depth therapeutic approaches, techniques of affecting changes in behavior, child abuse and neglect dynamics, and diagnostic assessment methods.

Ability to:

·         Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.

·         Assess risk, develop treatment plans, and counsel family and clients on methods of problem resolution.

·         Maintain sensitive and confidential information.

·         Work flexible hours, including holidays and weekends, when performing duties of positions.

·         Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

·         Organize material and present information clearly and concisely in verbal and written form.

·         Effectively respond to conflict situations and people in conflict.

·         Accomplish the assigned workload in a timely manner and meet established performance standards and objectives.

·         Perform duties independently without close supervision.

·         Make decisions regarding therapeutic, educational, medical, or other interventions to assist a family.

·         Make difficult decisions in the best interest of children.

·         Prepare and maintain clear and concise records and reports.

·         Act as a credible witness when testifying in court.

Education:

·         Equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in  Human Services, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or a related Human Behavioral Sciences field.

·         English/Spanish bilingual preferred.

Experience:

·         At least one year of experience as a professional social caseworker in either a public or private agency, after obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree.

·         A Master’s Degree in Human Behavioral Sciences can substitute for the required experience.

Licenses or Certificates:

·         Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver’s License.

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