POSITION TITLE:   SOCIAL CASEWORKER II -

                                                         LIMITED TERM POSITION WITH BENEFITS

               POSITION NUMBER:   HSD.1395

                         DEPARTMENT:   HUMAN SERVICES

                STARTING SALARY:   $3,489.13 PER MONTH

    APPLICATION DEADLINE:   04/29/2008

 

 

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 A LICENSED, INSURED VEHICLE WHICH SEATS THREE PASSENGERS WITH SEAT BELTS FOR REIMBURSED BUSINESS USE.

 

Facilitate and coordinate Family Group Conferences and family safety and resource team meetings as well as provide mediation services to children, youth, and families.  May, on a limited basis, assist in providing intake and/or ongoing social casework services to families where child or juvenile abuse or neglect is present or suspected.  Assignment is in Mediation and Family Group Conferencing within the Community Resource unit. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

·         Facilitate and coordinate family group conferences and family safety and resource team meetings.

·         Provide mediation services to families with youth at risk of being placed out of the home and to other families who are experiencing a crisis and in need of mediation services.

·         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.

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

·         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 JOB FUNCTIONS:

·         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:

·         Family group conferencing practices and principles.

·         Mediation practices and principles.

·         Effective facilitation skills.

·         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.

Education:

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

·         English/Spanish bilingual helpful.

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.

·         Experience in mediation and group facilitation is strongly preferred.

·         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.