Children Services Caseworker

Overview

This position has the potential for advance placement based on education, experience and operational need.

• Caseworker 1 Level $20.02/hr
• Caseworker 2 Level $20.82/hr
• Caseworker 3 Level $21.65/hr
• Caseworker 4 Level $22.52/hr

Under the general supervision of the Unit Supervisor, aids individuals and families having problems concerning family relationships or other aspects of their social functioning affecting the unity of the family through safety and risk assessment, case management and planning, and interventions that support the well-being of children.

Caseworker responsibilities expand with level and may include coaching, team leadership, and mentoring as roles progress.

Caseworker 1 - Competency-based, essential functions:
Performs related duties as required. Each position may not include all duties listed. Core duties include:

• Determine safety of children and risk of harm; assess allegations of abuse or neglect; develop initial assessment or investigation plan; interview and collect records; analyze data to determine interventions;
• Assess, deliver, and coordinate services to abused, neglected, or dependent children, families, and substitute caregivers;
• Determine appropriate interventions to keep children safe; continually assess safety; ensure delivery of emergency or crisis intervention services;
• Strengthen families and empower problem-solving; support capacity for growth and change;
• Study child development and apply knowledge of human behavior to identify factors contributing to risk or maltreatment; work with families to address behaviors/conditions; evaluate progress toward reducing risk;
• Engage families in strength-based, family-centered assessments; determine readiness to change and build helping relationships;
• Refer families to community resources (e.g., childcare, mental health, substance use treatment, homemaker services, crisis intervention) as needed;
• Visit all children in care per agency procedures and state mandates; arrange and supervise visits with primary families;
• Develop, write, implement, monitor, and enter strengths-based, family-centered plans in SACWIS; maintain accurate case management documentation within required time frames;
• Present professionally and culturally sensitively; build professional relationships with families expressed as courtesy, respect, dignity, empathy;
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with social services agencies, county and court officials, law enforcement, and others; support community activities that impact the agency;
• Participate in internal agency meetings (e.g., case reviews, family team meetings, division meetings, work teams);
• Prepare and file court documents; coordinate with prosecuting attorneys; attend court hearings; collaborate with judicial system representatives on case matters;
• Identify and locate appropriate placement resources for children; plan for placement and support services to caregivers; conduct search and engagement activities;
• Work with primary families to create a permanent plan for the child and facilitate adoption or other permanent arrangements as needed;
• Provide services to kinship, foster, adoptive placements; complete home studies and assist caregivers with training and support;
• Research and document Child Study Inventories; provide culturally competent services; participate in after-hours coverage as required; transport clients as needed;
• Attend trainings and uphold agency procedures, privacy, and ethics; protect clients’ rights and maintain professional practice standards;
• Performs other duties as required.

Caseworker 2 - Competency-based, essential functions:
Performs related duties as required.

• Articulate family and child needs to the community and solicit involvement;
• Provide community training; prepare foster caregivers, mentors, or support persons to meet obligations with up-to-date information;
• Participate as agency representative on external county and state teams; cross-train and job shadow to develop skills;
• Coordinate special projects; conduct case transfers and conferences; facilitate Family Team Meetings as needed;
• Coach, mentor, and…