Social Worker

Social Worker

Arizona State University

Center for Child Well being

Campus: Downtown Phoenix

99224BR

Job Description

The Child Welfare Education Program (CWEP) at ASU is a collaborative effort between Arizona State University, School of Social Work and the Arizona Department of Child Safety. The program is funded by the Child Welfare Field Education and Student Support Project, a federal Title IV-E training grant. The mission of the program is to prepare Social Work students to empower families and promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of the children involved in Arizona's public child welfare system.  

Child Welfare Education Unit is seeking to hire a Social Worker position at their Tempe Unit (Alma School and Southern in Mesa) in the DCS Maricopa East Region. The Social Worker in a Child Welfare Education Unit is responsible for instructing and coaching students while managing DCS on-going cases consistent with DCS policies and standards for practice. The Social Workers model and teach skills in engagement, assessment, and intervention and they apply Social Work frameworks and theory in the context of child welfare practice. Social Workers also coach students in skill development, provide feedback to students on their performance, actively use critical discourse to promote social justice and students’ critical thinking skills, mentor students in their professional development, teach students the technical and legal knowledge competencies associated with child welfare practice, and prepare students for the professional role of a DCS Specialist. 

Salary Range

$42,840 - $60,000 per year; DOE

Close Date

05-April-2024 - EXTENDED

Essential Duties

The primary roles and responsibilities of the Social Worker include, but are not limited to: 

• Modeling best practice approaches in client engagement, interviewing, assessment, and case planning
• Modeling and coaching students in solution focused approaches, motivational interviewing, and narrative approaches 
• Teaching and supervising BSW and MSW students in accordance with the competency framework for practicum education
• Promoting students’ acquisition of frameworks that view both problems and solutions through relational and resiliency theories 
• Utilizing oppression-informed and trauma-informed perspectives in decision-making, engagement, assessment, and intervention
• Promoting students’ acquisition of strategies to become more self-aware of biases, mitigate the influence of biases, and advance social justice  
• Evaluating student performance and providing feedback 
• Mentoring students in their professional development
• Assessing safety and risk in families and environments
• Ensuring child safety
• Promoting children’s relational, cultural, and ecological permanency and well-being
• Applying the SAFE AZ Model in decision-making and documentation 
• Collaborating with families 
• Advocating for parents, children, families, and caregivers
• Teaming with providers
• Identifying resources and referring families to relevant services 
• Documenting case notes and safety assessments 
• Writing case plans and court reports and testifying in legal proceedings  
• Conducting home visits with children, parents, and caregivers
• Complying with DCS policies, procedures, and standards of practice 
• Assisting in the development of trainings and presentations for students and staff 
• Representing the ASU Child Welfare Education Program in the community and at community events
• Attending Child Welfare staff meetings, DCS meetings, and interagency meetings 

Minimum Qualifications

Master's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, AND two years experience working in child protection OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience as a DCS Specialist within the past 5 years 
• Knowledge of the SAFE AZ model and ability to apply it to decision-making 
• Ability to engage, assess, and intervene with parents, children, families, and caregivers
• Ability to apply resilience and relational theories to problems and solution-seeking 
• Ability to teach and model the inclusion of oppression-informed and trauma-informed perspectives 
• Ability to utilize, teach, and coach solution-focused, motivational interviewing, and narrative approaches in work with children and families 
• Ability to provide meaningful feedback to students and coach them in skill development and critical thinking 
• Experience in using professionalism, time management, writing competency, effective communication, and critical thinking skills

Working Environment

• Activities are generally performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse; required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds.
• Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts.
• Ability to clearly communicate to perform essential functions.
• Regular use of standard office equipment including, but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone and associated computer/technology peripherals.
• Receives regular review of completed work activities to ensure adherence to established standards and objectives.

Department Statement

College Statement:

The College of Public Service embraces students and faculty dedicated to rigorous education and research in the service of social and economic change. Areas of expertise include: improving the quality of life for individuals and families from all backgrounds; innovative approaches to public management; and nonprofit leadership and organizational effectiveness. We partner with those intent on addressing critical social issues and are confident that Phoenix and the State of Arizona can be exemplars for the future.

Department Statement:

The mission of ASU’s Center for Child Well-Being is to advance child and family well-being. We believe society can collectively overcome challenges and make a difference by ensuring the health and well-being of its children. Drawing upon the expertise of faculty from across ASU's research enterprise, we work to increase resilience among families and to build safer and more vibrant communities for young people.

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.

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