Child Protection Intake Caseworker

County of Weld; Greeley (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Weld in Colorado seeks an entry/journey level Child Welfare worker to perform casework under supervision. Position involves in-person duties, home visits, safety assessments, and coordination with families to provide protective services and support. Work hours typically 8:00 a.m.

– 5:00 p.m., with potential telework after training based on performance. Entry level pays $32.99–$42.88 hourly; journey level offers $69,222.40–$93,454.40 annually with responsibilities including assessments,

Qualifications

• Assess complaints regarding families where children may be neglected, abused, or exploited.
• Learn to assess family safety and risk and determine intervention needs.
• Provide child protective services and case management under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough assessments of families to identify abuse or neglect.
• Initiate and complete assessments within mandated timeframes.
• Conduct home visits and interview youth, siblings, and caregivers living in the home.
• Determine need for protective service intervention with supervisory approval.
• Provide crisis management and referrals to community resources.
• Serve as liaison with other community agencies to facilitate services.
• May be required to transport clients on occasion.
• Document case progress and prepare court updates and letters in a timely manner.
• Prepare for and participate in case-specific court hearings with County legal staff as needed.
• Place youth/children into least restrictive out-of-home placements when needed.

Job description

Compensation Range $32.99 - $42.88 --

Job Description Summary

Entry Level: $32.99 - $42.88 hourly

Journey Level: $69,222.40 - $93,454.40 annually

Apply learned and trained knowledge and abilities in professional casework under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff. Assess complaints regarding families in which children may be neglected, abused, or exploited. Learn to assess family for safety and risk and determine the need for and level of intervention required by the Department of Human Services. Provide child protective services and case management to family until case is transferred or closed under direct oversight of assigned supervisor.

Work office will be established, but employee may perform work on the Greeley campus or at one of the other satellite offices when required. Reliable, predictable, attendance Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendance outside of standard business hours may be required depending on business needs. This position is in-person and may be eligible for occasional telework options upon successful completion of initial training and demonstration of high work performance. Work may involve time away from a standard office environment, which may consist of driving to and from home visits and in transporting children. Work may occur in situations in client's homes, which could be considered a hostile or unsanitary environment. After hours or on call work situations may occur on occasion to provide support to families that need services outside of normal business hours.

Ideal candidate traits:

• 1. Highly Motivated
• 2. Passion for families and our community
• 3. Critical Thinker
• 4. Team Player
• 5. Innovative
• 6. Proactive
• 7. Adaptable
• 8. Collaborative

Job Description

Entry Level

A training level position with intensive supervision and/or coaching by the County Department in which assignments are limited to fifty percent (50%) of the county's average caseload or ten (10) assessments/cases at any given time, whichever is less, are planned and devised to develop and teach professional social casework techniques, basic foundations, and concepts appropriate to the assigned areas.

Journey Level

A novice level position with intensive supervision and/or coaching by the County Department. Caseload will gradually increase throughout a 12-month period and will be capped to seventy-five percent (75%) of the county's average caseload or fourteen (14) assessments/cases at any given time, whichever is less. Trainings plans are devised to develop and teach professional social casework techniques, basic foundations, and concepts appropriate to the assigned areas.

Assessment and Case Management - 60%

• Use critical thinking skills and complete thorough assessments with families to determine possible abuse or neglect as outlined in Children's Code and Volume 7.
• Initiate and complete in-depth assessment within state mandated time frames, assess child/youth safety, and plan appropriate service intervention as follows.
• Make home visit(s) to referred family; interview identified youth and siblings and caregivers living in the home.
• Make determination of need for protective service intervention with supervisory approval and files in court, as needed.
• Provide immediate crisis management and child welfare services to youth/children remaining in home including emergency referrals to community resources.
• Provide resources and referrals to families to other community agencies and services.
• Serve as liaison with other community agencies to facilitate services.
• May be required to transport clients on occasion.
• Utilize critical thinking skills with the support of a supervisor to determine next steps to assure safety for children.
• Complete Institutional Assessments regarding day care homes and facilities, certified foster homes, certified kinship homes, group homes, and Residential Treatment Facilities when the institution is in Weld County when the victims are under the age of 10.
• Institutional assessments of kinship homes will only occur when a County Department of Human Services has custody of the child, and the kinship home is in Weld County.
• Prepare for and participate in case-specific court hearings, consulting with County legal staff as needed.
• Prepare court updates and letters in a timely and professional manner.
• Without legal representation, provide information on youth, case progress, and advocacy in courtroom setting using strong communication skills.
• Complete all case documentation accurately and timely. This includes records of contact, safety and risk assessments, assessments closure, and other assessments/case related documentation.
• When necessary, place youth/children into the least restrictive out-of-home placements such as foster or kinship care when in need of emergency substitute care.

Collaboration - 20%

Attend RED teams, family engagement meetings, group supervisions, staff meetings, staff training, regular supervisory meetings, and other agency