Assessment / Response Social Caseworker III

Overall Job Objective

What Success Looks Like In This Job

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Responds to reports of child abuse/neglect. Provides intensive crisis intervention and assessments of family's needs, including domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, environmental conditions, and caretakers' capacity to parent. This may include determination of need for out of home placement for children. Identifies and utilizes the strengths of the family; determines risk and/or safety issues for children; makes plans that best meet the safety, well being, and permanency needs of children; provides services to families in crisis; works in partnership with community and collateral agencies.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Investigates and assesses reports of abuse and neglect of children. Interviews and observes victims, offenders, witnesses, caregivers, and collateral agencies to ensure the safety of the child and determine the validity of the allegations. Recognizes and identifies risk factors and dynamics of child abuse, child neglect, and family functioning (includes specialized caseload).
• Provides intensive crisis intervention with families in order to address family problems, assesses need for on-going services, and prevents out of home placement.
• Maintains accurate case records of assessment, activities, and plans; writes summaries, reports, letters, and memos. Works diligently to meet federal and state mandates and time frames.
• Evaluates need for placement, determines appropriate level of care, and facilitates placement. Ensures ongoing safety through frequent, meaningful contact with children and their caregivers.
• Prepares court reports, attends court hearings, testifies in court hearings and proceedings, consults with attorneys, judges, and guardians-ad-litem.
• Provides positive role modeling in work environment, ensuring productivity.
• Nurtures community partnerships to enhance service delivery and program development.
• Performs specialized duties as assigned including mentoring, training, leadership of peers.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

• Computer skills and the ability to research the internet to obtain specific information.
• Knowledge of child development milestones.
• Knowledge of foster care, adoption procedures, and residential programs.
• Ability to keep and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

• Experience: Two (2) years of full time professional social casework experience, acquired after the degree in a public or private social services agency, in an area appropriate to the position.
• Education and Training:
  • Bachelor's Degree in one of the human behavioral science fields.
  • An MSW may substitute for all of the required experience.
  • Proof of education, (degree or transcripts), and license (if candidate has received one) are required.
• License or Certificate:
  • Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker certification required, and must be completed within three (3) months of employment, through the Colorado Training Academy (State Child Welfare). Certification through another State will require proof of completion, and may substitute for all or part of the training required by Colorado.
  • Possession of a valid driver's License and proof of automotive insurance.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.
• Other:
  • Must utilize a personal vehicle to get to many appointments in the local community and surrounding areas within Colorado; must be able to make visits to client's homes, travel to court, and other public facilities in all types of weather.
  • Ability to work in a standard office environment.
  • Ability to lift and carry infants and small children in the care and custody of the County, as well as the ability to carry large case files (1-50 lbs.).
  • Ability to conduct home visits in unknown and uncontrolled settings which may include animals, feces, airborne contaminants, gang members, weapons, and other environmental hazards.
  • May work nights and weekends, as necessary.