Child Welfare Social Worker 3 - CYFS

IdahoPTV; Caldwell (ID); On-site; USD 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Vacation leave

Retirement plans

Deferred compensation

Life insurance

Disability insurance

FSA

Training opportunities

Flexible hours

Job summary

Idaho Department of Health & Welfare’s Caldwell-based Child Welfare program seeks a Child Welfare Social Worker 3 to serve as lead worker in a social services unit, mentoring students and newer staff. This role will focus on safety assessments and complex case consultation in a fast-paced setting.

You will manage high-need cases, develop safety plans, and collaborate with supervisors to ensure protective services are delivered effectively. A valid Idaho social work license is required.

Qualifications

• Idaho social worker licensure is required.
• A valid driver's license and eligibility to drive a state vehicle are required.
• Experience in child protection or social services is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead worker in a social service unit and mentor students/new staff.
• Provide consultation to other social workers on complex cases.
• Develop safety plans and conduct family risk assessments.

Skills

Social work licensure

Driver's license

Job description

Child Welfare Social Worker 3 - CYFS - 27876

USA:ID:Caldwell | Human Services | Full Time

31.39 - 31.39 USD per hour

Posted 2 days ago | Apply before November 23, 2026

Description

DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND INDEPENDENCE OF IDAHOANS

The Division of Youth, Safety & Permanency, Child Welfare Program is currently filling a Child Welfare Social Worker 3 – Safety Assessor position. Incumbents at this level serve as lead worker in a social service unit and mentor students and newer social worker staff completing the Child Welfare Academy. Incumbents provide consultation to other Social Workers on complex cases. This position will be located at our Caldwell office.

This is the third of a six-level Child Welfare job series. Incumbents at this level serve as lead workers in a social service unit and mentor students and newer social worker staff completing the Child Welfare Academy. Incumbents provide consultation to other Social Workers on complex cases and work autonomously in single-person and small field offices where supervision is periodic and at a distance. They may serve as supervisors.

If you have previously applied for the position of Child Welfare Social Worker 3 and wish to be considered for the current vacancy, you must reapply under this announcement.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare is a drug-free workplace.Any applicant offered employment in this position at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test.In addition, successful candidates will be required to complete a criminal history background investigation. Employment is dependent upon satisfactory results of the investigation.

Background Check Eligibility -Certain criminal convictions may affect your eligibility for employment. Depending on the nature of the offense, a conviction may result in a disqualification period of 3 years, 5 years, or permanent disqualification, beginning on the date of conviction. Please review the list located here to determine whether any of these convictions may affect your eligibility for employment.

BENEFITS:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Paid sick and vacation that begins accruing on your first day of employment; can be used immediately after accruing (no waiting time)
• 2 voluntary supplemental retirement plans including both pre-tax and Roth options
• Deferred compensation plan
• Life insurance for self, spouse, and children
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Wide variety of training opportunities
• Some positions offer flexible hours and/or telecommuting
• Serve as lead worker and provide direction and guidance to Social Workers.
• Carry a workload of complex and difficult child abuse and neglect cases.
• Provide direct services to children and families.
• Make decisions for cases of all levels of complexity and severity and can recommend legal filings, decisions to shelter, make child placements, reunification, respond to crisis and emergency situations, and may serve as backup to the supervisor.
• Determine appropriate child placement to ensure least restrictive environment and take necessary action to reduce risk to child and family.
• Provide emergency and crisis intervention services.
• Perform and/or review family risk assessments and determine need and eligibility of services and level of care.
• Develop safety plans for children and prepare concurrent permanency plans.
• Evaluate special needs, problems, and resources and provide service plans that may include counseling social services, support, and change-oriented activities.
• Prepare case record notes attesting to engagement with and results from specific kinds of service.
• Provide input to supervisors regarding observed individual progress and performance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

You must possess all the minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. Please make sure your resume or work history supports your meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Failure to do this may disqualify you from being considered for this position.It is highly recommended to attach a one-page cover letter to your application to demonstrate how you meet the requirements below.

• L icensure as a Social Worker in Idaho in accordance with Idaho Code 54-3201 et.seq.
• A valid driver's license. Must be at least 21 years of age and meet eligibility requirements to drive a state vehicle.
• This position requires one of the following (1-7):
• Three years' experience as a Social Worker in assessment or case management of child protection cases in Idaho.
• Two years' experience as a Social Worker in assessment or case management of child protection cases in Idaho and one academic year (9 months) of child welfare practicum experience may substitute for one year of experience.
• Two years' experience as a Social Worker in assessment or case management of child protection cases in Idaho and six months as a mentor in the Child Welfare Academy , as designated by a supervisor may substitute for one year of experience.
• Two years' experience as a Social Worker in assessment or case management of child protection cases in Idaho and service as a field instructor for an accredited social work program.
• Two years' experience as a Social Worker in assessment or case management of child protection cases in Idaho and a Master of Social Work Degree.
• Two years' experience as a Social Worker in assessment or case management of child protection cases in Idaho and one year experience in another public child welfare system or child welfare agency.
• One year experience as a Social Worker in assessment or case management of child protection cases in Idaho and two or more years' experience in another public child welfare system or child welfare agency.

If you have questions, please contact us at:

Email is the quickest way to get an answer to your questions.

(answered Monday through Friday during business hours MST)

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact [phone] (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [e-mail].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.