Child Protective Services Caseworker - Protect Maine Kids

State-of-Maine; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 46,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Job summary

State of Maine, Department of Health and Human Services, OCFS in Portland seeks a dedicated Child Protective Services Caseworker to perform professional social work in child protection, safety planning, and permanency for Maine children.

You will engage families, assess safety, coordinate services with courts and community partners, maintain case records, and follow state and federal laws to ensure timely, fact-based decisions and positive outcomes for children and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a Bachelor's Degree in a related social service field which includes at least 12 courses in behavioral science, social science, or social work; AND must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) as determined by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.
• Necessary special requirement: Applicants must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure at the LSW level as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work in the areas of child protection, children’s services, and adoption.
• Engage families to assess child safety and make plans which best meet the safety, well-being, and permanency needs of their children.
• Create a team for each family consisting of family, staff, and community resources to support safe solutions for children.
• Reach factually supported safety decisions in a timely and thorough manner, with input from parents, children, extended family, and community stakeholders to assure child safety.
• Assess child safety, abuse, and neglect, and signs of danger; family strengths and capabilities; family functioning.
• Separate dangerous caregivers from children in need of protection when court action is required to make children safe.
• Make appropriate plans for children, focusing on their safety needs, preservation of family relationships, reunifying children when appropriate, or achieving a permanent placement in another family if needed.
• Maintain accurate case records of assessments, activities, and plans; summaries; reports; letters and memos.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

State of Maine, Department of Health and Human Services, OCFS in Portland seeks a dedicated Child Protective Services Caseworker to perform professional social work in child protection, safety planning, and permanency for Maine children.

You will engage families, assess safety, coordinate services with courts and community partners, maintain case records, and follow state and federal laws to ensure timely, fact-based decisions and positive outcomes for children and families.