Social Worker I / CPS

SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Social Services Director, ensures that laws about Indian Children are followed in cases where the Indian Child/ren may be removed from the home. Works to assist in preventing family breakup and ensures that permanent removal of an Indian Child/ren from the custody of his/her Indian parent/Custodian is a last resort. Performs duties as an On-Call Child Protective Services worker. Works with clients to improve their family dynamics and motivates practical learning experience  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds to calls concerning possible child abuse/neglect, along with situations where the environment may be unsafe for children, and completes required reports.
• Investigates reports of possible child abuse/neglect, provides appropriate agencies with detailed reports of findings, and establishes emergency foster care placement for Indian Child/ren when necessary.
• Assists with aftercare of Indian Child/ren, providing referrals to service providers as necessary.
• Attends court hearings, provides testimony, and acts as an advocate for child/ren in all court proceedings.
• Attends and participates in Multi-Disciplinary Team and Child and Family Team meetings as required, as well as other meetings as necessary.
• Completes required contact reports for children assigned to caseload and maintains case management file according to BIA requirements 
• Trains foster and biological parents on child development and reinforcement techniques.
• Provides emotional support and assistance to individuals and families with social problems and crises.
• Provides life skills training to foster and biological parents concerning functional, specific needs for youth in foster care, along with family management skills training on functional, specific family needs for at-risk families.
• Completes monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports to Tribal Administration and BIA Area Office as required.
• Assists with the Foster Care Program through recruitment activities, application/licensing process, and monitoring of child placement.
• Provides transportation to program clients to health facilities, AHCCCS office, DES, Social Security office, and other service agencies, and for in-service training/counseling.
• Consults with supervisor on management or referral of all difficult or complex problems.
• Other related duties as assigned by the Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must be interested in counseling and have a strong interest in helping others, and can motivate individuals.
• Must possess crisis intervention knowledge, referral and resource coordination skills, and individual, family, and group training experience.
• Must be knowledgeable of physical and socioeconomic issues within the community that may affect families and their well-being.
• Should have knowledge of adult support resources in the area and know their application and functional processes.
• Knowledge of the Cocopah Tribe/American Indian customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of individual life skills, financial management, stress reduction, home management, and consultation. Skills, education, and training skills; program development skills.
• Ability to communicate (both written and oral) clearly and effectively with clients.
• Good computer skills/knowledge (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license and have a clean driving record.
• Must be able to meet the Tribal motor vehicle insurance requirements.
• Must be able to meet the BIA contract requirements.
• Must be able to undergo and pass a DPS/FBI fingerprint background investigation, and cannot have two (2) or more misdemeanors or felony convictions.
• Required to maintain accountability for personal conduct, as it reflects program and department efficiency.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• An associate’s degree in a related field, 1 full year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement leading to a bachelor’s degree is required.
• 3 years of work experience in a related field or 3 years of supervisory work experience
• Must have experience working in Child and/or adult case management.
• Experience in working with Child Protective Services/Foster Care Programs preferred.
• Experience in family and group counseling preferred.

NATIVE AMERICAN AND CURRENT EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE POLICIES ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL POSITIONS. MUST BE ABLE TO PASS PRE-EMPLOYMENT AND ONGOING RANDOM DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTS.