ICW South - ICW Worker

Camas Path; Airway Heights (WA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalispel Tribe of Indians seeks an ICW Social Worker to investigate suspected child abuse and neglect and to manage cases with a focus on child safety within the Tribe's jurisdiction. The role requires applying tribal law, child welfare policies, and mandatory reporting rules.

The position involves conducting interviews, preparing for court testimony as an expert witness, maintaining confidential records, and advocating for families while collaborating with tribal and state partners.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or allied field required.
• Minimum two years of Indian Child Welfare experience or equivalent mix of ICW and related experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess risk and safety to children and provide direct family-centered services; conduct investigations and interviews.
• Respond promptly to referrals and determine placement options when needed; coordinate with Tribal Care Licensor.
• Prepare for and testify in court; provide timely legal documents and plans.
• Communicate professionally with state workers, prosecutors, and Tribal staff on clients’ behalf.
• Maintain confidentiality and work both independently and as part of a team.

Skills

Interviewing

Case management

Confidentiality

HIPAA knowledge

Client advocacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

ICW experience (2 years)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Summary of Functions:

This position is responsible for conducting investigations of suspected child abuse and neglect and for the protection and case management of children and families involved within the Kalispel Tribe’s jurisdiction. Understand and apply the Kalispel Tribal Law and Order Code, new and existing child welfare laws, as well as policies and procedures concerning child abuse and neglect and mandatory reporting. Conduct interviews and assess the situation with children and/or witnesses. Prepare for and give court testimony and serve as expert witness in court cases. Ensure active efforts. It requires the ability to deal with difficult situations under pressure and to make appropriate decisions that affect child safety for Native children, families, relatives, community partners/providers, the court and the community. It requires a broad understanding of community/public relations and sensitivity to cultural and ethnic issues related to Native American families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services. Ability to conduct investigations and child interviewing knowledge and skills. Collects and maintains client data through conducting routine home or school visits. Offer client assistance to other community resources and services; assist with transportation, if needed. Advocate for clients.
• Provide a timely response to referrals, investigate, interview and determine placement options, if necessary. Work closely with the Tribal Care Licensor in the placement process and paperwork duties when placing children in foster care.
• Prepare for, attends and testifies at court proceedings as the ICW Social Worker and/or qualified expert witness. Prepare and provide timely/complete legal documents for court appearances, including but not limited to, court reports, case plans, family protection plans, and/or safety plans.
• Communicate professionally with state workers, Prosecuting Attorneys, and other Tribal staff, as well as other community organizations on clients’ behalf.
• Ability to understand and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work as a team member or independently as necessary.
• Works in an ethical and professional manner with others at all times.
• Ability to prioritize own work, operate independently and be self-motivated.
• Implement effective techniques for caseload and time management. Be able to maintain, update and organize client files, including continuous and timely updates of progress notes, client-caseworker communication, child profile sheets, legal communication, school reports, mental health progress, etc.
• Understands and operates with a culturally sensitive and strength-based approach with clientele.
• Adhere to all applicable tribal, federal, or state privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited HIPPA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work, Human Services or behavioral science or an allied field is required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of Indian Child Welfare experience required or a combination of one (1) year direct ICW work experience and one (1) year of related experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Must possess excellent people skills and a demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships and maintain professionalism, diplomacy and tact with clients, employees, other Kalispel Tribe employees, departments, outside agency personnel and co-workers in a sensitive environment. The applicant must be able to effectively maintain composure in potentially intense, hostile, or controversial situations.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and exercise good judgment in a timely manner and with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and ability to abide by rules and regulations.
• Must have working knowledge of basic computer operations including electronic mail, word processing and databases.

NOTE: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment.

Other Requirements

• Must have a valid driver’s license and be eligible for automobile insurance under the Kalispel Tribe.
• HIV/Aids training at the time of hire or within 90 days of employment.
• 1st Aid/CPR certification at the time of hire or within 90 days of employment.
• Hepatitis B vaccination required.
• Must be able to pass a Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) background check.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 10 pounds.
• This position requires significant amounts of standing or walking.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is performed primarily in an office environment. Significant portions of the job require extended sedentary periods; constant work with computers, including extended periods of keyboarding; and repetitive motion of hands and wrists.
• This position requires significant local travel. This position requires significant out of area travel for client services.
• This position requires the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• This position requires significant amounts of work to be performed outside general business hours. Significant evening and weekend work may be required.

Hiring Preference

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is an Equal opportunity employer. Consistent with federal law, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians applies Indian preference in employment. It is the policy of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians to give preference in hiring, promotions, and transfers into vacant positions to qualified applicants in the following order: 1) Kalispel Tribal Members; 2) Spouses of an enrolled Kalispel Tribal Member; 3) enrolled members of other Indian Tribes; 4) all other applicants.

General Sign-off & Disclaimers

The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies.

At-Will Employment: Employment with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians is at-will and can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, either at the option of the employee or the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.

Drug Testing: The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is a drug free workplace. All applicants are subject to drug testing at the time of hire and at unannounced times during employment.

Background Investigation: All candidates and employees may be subject to a background investigation.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

Conflict of Interest

All employees shall refrain from any private business or activity, which might cause their personal interest to conflict with or affect the impartial discharge of their duties to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Each employee must demonstrate personal integrity and is charged with the responsibility to serve and represent the Kalispel Tribe in a professional manner. Employees must be free and appear free of any activity, agreement, business investment, or interest in situations, which may interfere with that.

Disclaimer: Certain Licenses and Certification requirements can be obtained once hired.