CASEWORKER - CHILDRENS PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Clermont County, Ohio; Ohio; On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Holidays

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Vacation

Paid Personal Leave

Public service loan forgiveness (PSLF)

Tuition Assistance Program

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Long-term Disability

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

OPERS retirement

Supplemental Deferred Compensation

Job summary

Clermont County in Ohio is hiring full-time Caseworkers (Social Service Worker 3) in the Department of Job and Family Services, Division of Children’s Protective Services.

You will investigate child abuse/neglect, manage caseloads, coordinate services, and testify in court. A valid driver's license and a human services degree or equivalent are required. Salary ranges from $21.31 to $23.00 per hour with overtime eligibility and excellent benefits.

Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s License is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services-related studies, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Alternative qualifications include an associate degree or substantial coursework in human services and/or several years in related work.

Responsibilities

• Investigates child abuse, neglect, and dependency; assesses risk and coordinates services with partners.
• Manages an ongoing caseload of children in care and testifies in Juvenile Court as needed.
• Handles specialized foster care, kinship, ICPC, and adoption work; supports WWK referrals.
• Updates SACWIS and Traverse; maintains accurate case records and participates in meetings.
• Collaborates on county projects, addresses safety concerns, and adheres to policy requirements.

Skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services-related studies

Bachelor’s degree in any field with 2 years human services experience

Associate’s degree in human services-related studies

Sixty semester credit hours toward a degree in human services-related studies

Five years employed in a human services-related occupation

Job description

CASEWORKER - CHILDRENS PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Do you enjoy working with families? Do you enjoy problem solving and finding ways to help others? Would you like the opportunity to remove barriers, identify strengths and problem solve to assist better outcomes for families? If so, Clermont County is seeking full time Caseworkers (Social Service Worker 3) within the Department of Job and Family Services, Division of Children’s Protective Services. (more than 1 position may be filled)

Type: Full-Time Permanent (Classified)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME
Probationary Period: 1 year
Salary: Negotiable depending on qualifications/experience. ($21.31 - $23.00)
Posting Period: Position will be open until filled. Candidates reviewed weekly

BENEFITS

• Paid Holidays - 11 days per year
• Paid Sick Leave - 15 days per year with unlimited carryover of unused days
• Paid Vacation - up to 5 weeks with 15 years of service
• Paid Personal Leave - up to 3 days per year
• Student Loan Forgiveness - Public service employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (single to family plan options to fit your needs)
• Life Insurance - $25,000 at no cost to employee; option to purchase supplemental coverage for self and spouse/child(ren)
• Long-term Disability - at no cost to employee
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ohio Public Employee Retirement System - Employees contribute 10% of salary and employer contributes 14%. (Employees do not pay federal social security tax from income; all contributions go directly towards OPERS.)
• Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plans - employees may contribute to tax-deferred supplemental retirement accounts.

JOB DUTIES

• Investigates complaints of child abuse, neglect, and dependency. Assesses risk of further abuse/neglect and the need for continued services to prevent abuse or neglect. Completes all required investigation reports and works with law enforcement, prosecutor’s office, and other partners on prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases. Testifies in criminal and civil court hearings;
• Manages an ongoing caseload of children in custody and/or involved with Children’s Protective Services. Provides information to file complaints/motions and testifies in Juvenile Court in regard to abuse/neglect cases and provides testimony regarding the need for continued services. Works with families to develop and implement case plans and coordinate services identified in the case plan;
• Manages a caseload of specialized foster care, kinship, ICPC, and/or adoption assessments and placements. Provides kinship services to kinship providers. Works in partnership with staff to identify youth for referral to the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) program. Reviews records, interviews youth waiting for adoption and agency staff, available family members or supportive connections. Develops a written readiness assessment and create recruitment plans. Completes home studies; prepares assigned cases for administrative/judicial procedures as required. Gathers information for eligibility determination for Adoption Assistance Subsidy. Assist with development and coordination of the transition plan once a family is matched. Provides post adoptive services to families and children. Submits monthly WWK data and complies with WWK Grant Program requirements/guidelines.
• Updates all information in SACWIS. Uploads all documents into Traverse. Maintains complete and accurate case records including summaries, required forms, dictation, and other documentation. Attends training, staff meetings, case conferences, treatment team meetings, and participates in community resource coordination.
• Works alone or with other persons in short or long-term team projects to resolve problems or conflicts in any area of county operations or to complete assigned projects at the direction of any county supervisor or Department Head when assigned. Works aggressively to reduce or eliminate safety/risk concerns in current position or work location. Reports safety/risk management issues to immediate supervisor. New and other related duties as assigned. As operational needs arise, may be required to assume additional duties of position within same classification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have and maintain a valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record. Per Section 5153.112 of the Ohio Revised Code, applicant must have one of the following:
• 1. A bachelor’s degree in human services-related studies; or
• 2. A bachelor’s degree in any field and have been employed for at least two years in a human services occupation; or
• 3. An associate’s degree in human services-related studies; or
• 4. Completed at least sixty semester credit hours or the equivalent towards a degree in human services-related studies; or
• 5. Been employed for at least five years in a human services-related occupation.
• For employment to continue, a person described in option 2, 3, 4, or 5 above must obtain a job-related bachelor’s degree not later than five years after the date employment with the agency commences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Emergency response may be required. The position possesses responsibility for the safety of children and/or adults by requiring the incumbent to make determinations as to whether these children/adults are in an “imminent risk of harm”. These children/adults are incapable of protecting themselves from physical, mental, and/or sexual abuse. Additionally, the position involves performing duties which require taking some special safety precautions, such as when contacting and negotiating with a family suspected of child abuse or neglect. However, performing this duty does not require the use of protective clothing. Exposure to these situations is likely to result in threats of injury, which are rarely acted upon. The position may involve lifting or carrying children, and exposure to contagious diseases. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements stated above. Military education and experience may be substituted for college and vocational certificate level course work on a case-by-case basis based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide recommendations. For consideration, please include a military transcript and/or Form DD214 with your application. Conditions and procedures for selection will be consistent with Clermont County Personnel Policy and/or Collective Bargaining Agreements, if applicable. Also, certain classifications, because of the nature of the work, require pre-placement and/or periodic physical examinations which may include drug/alcohol screening tests. Employment in a position with Clermont County Department of Job and Family Services is contingent upon successful completion and favorable adjudication of a criminal background check conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.