Childrens Services Worker (Present Danger Response Caseworker) (4297-12)

Hamilton County, Ohio; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking organization committed to safeguarding children and supporting families. This role is vital in assessing and ensuring the safety of vulnerable children in our community. Ideal candidates will excel in interpersonal communication and problem-solving, thriving in a fast-paced environment. With a culture that promotes growth and learning, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of families. Enjoy competitive benefits, generous paid time off, and a supportive workplace that values your contributions. If you are passionate about child welfare and community service, this role is your chance to shine.

Benefits

Free downtown parking

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation

Paid Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Wellness Incentives

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; experience in human services preferred.
• Proficient in mobile technology for documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and ensure child safety in critical situations.
• Engage with families and develop safety plans for children.

Skills

Interpersonal Communication

Problem-Solving

Crisis Management

Cultural Competency

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services-related field

Bachelor’s degree in any field with 2 years experience

Tools

Mobile Technology

Job description

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Job Id: 4297-12

# of Openings: 2

Be part of our Team! We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a second-chance employer and a recovery friendly workplace.

Are you interested in serving our community and helping to protect our county’s most vulnerable children? At Hamilton County Children’s Services, this is what we do every day. We are looking for compassionate, tenacious workers who are dedicated to engaging families and ensuring that children are safe.

This is a critical role that directly impacts the outcomes of the children and families whom we serve. This role may be a good fit if you excel in interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and enjoy a fast-paced work environment. This position provides:

• Culture promoting growth and learning
• Free and close downtown parking for office days

Highly Competitive Employee Benefits Package and Generous Paid Time Off

11 Paid Holidays, Immediately Begin Accruing Paid Vacation time, Earned Personal Days, and Paid Parental Leave.

Ohio Public Employee Retirement System which includes 14% Employer Contribution AND a defined benefit option.

Highly Competitive and Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, HRA, Dental, Vision, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility, Commuter Stipend or Free On-Site Parking, Wellness Incentives, robust Employee Assistance Program, access to Free Medical and Rx through Marathon Health, plus expansive Behavioral and Mental Health Resources, and More!

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 02/25/2025

WORK LOCATION:

Job & Family Services

222 E. Central Parkway

WORK HOURS: Full-Time 40 hours/week

(Potential for Hybrid Remote Work Schedule)

STARTING HOURLY PAY:$26.78

NOTE: Applicants for positions with Hamilton County Job and Family Services are subject to background screening in accordance with the document: "Offenses that May Disqualify Candidates for Employment." Convictions from this list may disqualify a candidate for employment with HCJFS.

Applicants for Children’s Services positions cannot provide foster care for children in the custody of Hamilton County.

REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION):

• Bachelor's degree in human services-related field or
• Bachelor’s degree in any field and has two (2) years’ work experience in a human service-related occupation.
• * A bachelor's or master's in a human services-related field would be required within 5 years.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued in the state of residency.
• Must have the use of an insured automobile.
• A criminal records check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the FBI is required.

AGENCY-PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in Social Work
• Licensed Social Worker
• Researches previous Children’s Services history, criminal history, court involvement, and other applicable information for all individuals associated with Intake report. Responds to and completes assessments of Intake reports of dependency, physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse of children within mandated time frames. Conducts face-to-face interviews with all children in the household of assessment, parent/caregiver(s), and alleged maltreater(s) to make a decision regarding child safety.

Responsible for collecting collateral information from other persons, service providers, and community partners that may have additional information to support a safety determination. When appropriate, seeks medical evaluation of alleged child victims and completes referrals to law enforcement.

• In consultation with supervisor, conducts informed response to Intake Reports, assesses and determines child safety at every initial contact, determines present danger threats to children. Gathers information and analyzes parent/caregiver protective capacities. Partners with family to develop and implement present danger safety plans for children determined not to be safe. As needed, secures, implements, and confirms safe environment for out-of-home placements needed to control active safety threats.
• Responsible for demonstrating proficiency in mobile technology to aid in maintaining written documentation of assessment activities prior to the end of shift, including Activity Logs and Present Danger Safety Plans. Responsible for other mandated paperwork as outlined by state regulations and agency policy. Reviews prior Children’s Services history completes background and criminal checks on parent(s) and alternative caretaker(s).
• Consults with the Prosecutor's office and seeks Court intervention as needed. Prepares Requests for Legal Action and provides court testimony to support Children’s Services position. Attend all relevant court hearings as related to case assignments.
• Assists Children’s Services Division with required activities to ensure child safety, including but not limited to, making additional attempts to engage with families, locate children, complete collateral contacts to gain pertinent information, and assists in implementing safety plans. Staff will be cross-trained on phone intake assessments to provide coverage to Intake and Screening as needed.
• Attends conferences and training. Must attend and complete Caseworker CORE Training within the first year of employment and thirty-six hours for every year thereafter. Must attend twelve hours of Domestic Violence Training within the first two years of employment.
• Must be available to communicate during work hours and on an emergency basis; Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of: ORC/OAC as relevant to Children’s Services Practice*, Assessment Policy and Procedure*, Hamilton County Policy and Procedures*, government structure and process*; interviewing, trauma-informed practices, case management, child welfare practices and procedures; safety decision making*

Skill In: Family centered/strength-based approach when engaging children and families; interpretation and application of training, instructional and procedural materials; professionally handling crisis and stressful situations

Ability to: Professionally and respectfully communicate, work alone on most tasks, clinically analyze and draw conclusions from information collection; understand written and verbal instructions; prepare concise and accurate written documents and reports; maintain confidentiality, work cooperatively with other agency staff, supervisors and administrators, develop good rapport with clients.

ESSENTIAL JOB FACTORS:

• Must undergo a background check via the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI). Must have a car, valid driver’s license issued by the state of residency and required auto liability insurance.

PHYSICAL and/or MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Lift and carry children, child car seats, and infant carrier, large case files, and occasionally push a cart containing case files
• Stand entire length of home visit (an hour or longer),
• Conduct home visits despite extreme temperatures and inclement weather
• Significant walking to, from, and during home visits, supervised visitation, court, meetings, and other obligations;
• Frequently enter and exit motor vehicle
• Frequently climbing and descending stairs
• Potentially seeing and hearing traumatic events/situations
• Sitting for extended periods while working on the computer, home visits, court, meetings, etc.
• Stooping, bending, crouching
• Is aware, understands, and practices in a way which demonstrates cultural competency, socioeconomic differences, and respect for diversity in interactions and work with families; displays an awareness of the impact implicit bias has on outcomes for children and families.

HAZARDOUS and/or WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Potentially hazardous/dangerous situations and could involve violent/upset clients
• Animals, insects, rodents in family homes
• Unstable Structures

BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED:

Background checks consistent with requirements in OAC 5101:2-5-09 must be completed at employment and every ten years following, including but not limited to the following systems:

• State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)
• State Child/Abuse Neglect Central Registry Check for any state in which the applicant resided within the last five years
• Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification Investigation (BCI)
• FBI
• National Sex Offender Public website (WWW.NSOPW.Gov) Code 5101:2-5-09 must be conducted for each prospective employee