Child Welfare Placement Worker

WV Department of Human Services; West Virginia; On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

WV Department of Human Services seeks a Child Welfare Placement Worker to recruit, locate, and evaluate foster care homes, train providers, and conduct provider reviews. The role requires extensive travel using a personal vehicle and may include after-hours emergencies.

Strong documentation and communication skills are essential. Responsibilities include attending trainings, conducting interviews, assessing placement candidates, and participating in court hearings to place children safely,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

• Attend ongoing training to develop knowledge of State and Federal social welfare laws and protocols regarding child welfare.
• Conduct interviews to identify safe placement options for victims of abuse or neglect by talking with and observing prospective providers, their homes, or facilities.
• Assess prospective placement candidates using established guidelines to determine if needs of children can be met.
• Complete reviews of care providers to determine dynamics and problems since placement.
• Develop effective communication with new foster home providers addressing safety, well‑being and permanency of children.
• Attend court hearings and testify; make appropriate placements of children including staying with relatives or in foster homes.
• Evaluate progress of families towards meeting objectives of safety/service/treatment plans.

Skills

Home finding

Interviewing

Documentation

Case management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Child Welfare Placement Worker

These positions perform Home Finding services in the area of child welfare services. These positions recruit, locate, and evaluate prospective foster care homes; train new and active home providers; conduct periodic reviews of providers and initiate corrective action plans when needed. They interact with various professional practitioners in the fields of social work, mental health, court, and the legal system. These positions are responsible for written documentation of casework and related activities. Work involves frequent travel using a personal vehicle and may require after hours and weekend emergencies. Perform related work as required.

General Description

Child Welfare Placement Worker

These positions perform Home Finding services in the area of child welfare services. These positions recruit, locate, and evaluate prospective foster care homes; train new and active home providers; conduct periodic reviews of providers and initiate corrective action plans when needed. They interact with various professional practitioners in the fields of social work, mental health, court, and the legal system. These positions are responsible for written documentation of casework and related activities. Work involves frequent travel using a personal vehicle and may require after hours and weekend emergencies. Perform related work as required.

Responsibilities May Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Attending, ongoing training to develop comprehensive knowledge of State and Federal social welfare laws, rules, regulations, and evolving protocols regarding child abuse and neglect.
• Conducting interviews to identify safe placement options for victims of abuse or neglect by talking with and visually observing prospective providers, their homes, or facilities.
• Assessing prospective placement candidates using established guidelines to determine if the needs of the children can be met under the current requirements.
• Completing reviews of care providers to determine dynamics and problems that may have arisen since placement.
• Developing effective communication with new foster home providers that address safety, well-being, and permanency of children.
• Attend court hearings, testifying before the court, and making appropriate placements of children, including but not limited to staying with relatives, in foster homes, residential treatment facilities.
• Evaluating the progress of families or living environments towards meeting objectives of safety/service/treatment plans, the need to modify plans, and the eventual disposition of cases.

Applicants must possess a valid WV driver’s license, and reliable transportation.

Applicants also must have strong communication skills, both oral and written, and maintain detailed case records and extensive documentation.

Overtime hours and frequent travel may be required.

Successful completion of a background check is required for employment.

Counties of work: Statewide

Position Number(s): 0511P03605

Example Of Duties And Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Attending, ongoing training to develop comprehensive knowledge of State and Federal social welfare laws, rules, regulations, and evolving protocols regarding child abuse and neglect.
• Conducting interviews to identify safe placement options for victims of abuse or neglect by talking with and visually observing prospective providers, their homes, or facilities.
• Assessing prospective placement candidates using established guidelines to determine if the needs of the children can be met under the current requirements.
• Completing reviews of care providers to determine dynamics and problems that may have arisen since placement.
• Developing effective communication with new foster home providers that address safety, well‑being, and permanency of children.
• Attend court hearings, testifying before the court, and making appropriate placements of children, including but not limited to staying with relatives, in foster homes, residential treatment facilities.
• Evaluating the progress of families or living environments towards meeting objectives of safety/service/treatment plans, the need to modify plans, and the eventual disposition of cases.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

None.

Special Requirements

Valid driver’s license. Accessibility to a phone.

Note: At the appointing agency’s discretion, competitive applicants may receive probationary appointment pending official verification of the qualifying training, examination or certification. The qualifying training, examination or certification must be verified before the employee may be certified permanent.

About The Organization

The Bureau for Social Services champions the security, permanence, and welfare of children and vulnerable adults, empowering individuals and strengthening families. Formerly the Bureau for Children and Families, the Bureau for Social Services operates under the West Virginia Department of Human Services, serving children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults facing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Equipped with extensive training to handle delicate situations with compassion and dignity, these workers contribute to the advancement of a vibrant and healthy West Virginia by facilitating access to crucial healthcare, essential social services and benefits, and fostering safe, supportive, and healthy environments. Through this hard work, at risk populations can begin to thrive within the community.