Social Worker

Southern Ute Indian Tribe; Ignacio (CO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Ute Indian Tribe seeks an experienced social caseworker to apply advanced casework theories across program areas, including child and adult protection services. You will conduct investigations, develop case plans, and coordinate foster care placements while maintaining confidentiality and ethical practice.

Responsibilities include intake assessments, crisis intervention, court testimony, and collaboration with tribal and social services staff to deliver quality services and supports to

Qualifications

• Requires BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education or related field with 2 years of social services/case management experience OR MA/MS in Social Work, Psychology or related field.
• Advanced knowledge of social casework theory, principles and assessment/treatment oriented practice across program areas.
• Knowledge of social group work, child abuse laws, and dependency-related conditions.
• Familiar with social services resources and crisis intervention modalities.
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel; valid driver license; able to pass background and fingerprint checks.

Responsibilities

• Investigate alleged abuse, neglect, exploitation, and parent-conflicts; determine foster care placement needs and coordinate visits.
• Investigate abuse/exploitation involving adults/elders; ensure ICWA compliance.
• Develop case plans and provide counseling on parenting, family dynamics, and community issues.
• Provide intake assessments, ongoing case management, and treatment planning for various guardianship and conservatorship cases.
• Determine need for out-of-home placements and locate suitable placements; monitor progress.
• Make home visits and coordinate services including health, legal, and financial assistance.
• Provide expert witness and court testimony; participate in court reviews and inter-agency collaboration.

Skills

Case management

Crisis intervention

Motivational interviewing

Court testimony

Microsoft Word/Excel

Education

BA/BS in Human Services or related field

MA/MS in Social Work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

This is an advanced level position that requires knowledge of the theories, principles, and concepts of social casework practice (assessment and treatment oriented) related to all the assigned program areas, including child and adult protection services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts investigations of alleged abuse, exploitation, neglect, and parent-conflicts; determines if situation warrants placing children outside the home; supervises placement of children in foster care and coordinates parent/child visits; and determines when and if to recommend that children return to the home.
• Conducts investigations into allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation involving adults and elders.
• Familiarity with ICWA Federal Law and the implementation of said law. Communicates with referring entities and Tribal Information Services to ensure that ICWA cases are properly handled and ensure that Native Children are not inappropriately placed.
• Develops effective case plans and provides counseling services to families regarding parenting skills, family problems, parent-child relationships and problems with the community.Assesses any new child abuse, adult abuse, or re-abuse complaints and provides crisis intervention in these situations.
• Provides intake assessment and evaluation, ongoing case management services for conservatorship and guardianship cases, and treatment planning to a variety of other cases including adults unable to protect their own interests and family conflict and youth-in-conflict cases.
• Determines the need for out-of-home placements of clients into foster care, kinship or treatment.
• Locates placement appropriate to client’s needs. Monitors client’s progress in placement.
• Makes home visits with clients, organizes services such as home care services, day care, financial assistance, health (medical, physical and mental), legal, and provides information on available services.
• Investigates high risk, complex and neglect cases, providing expert witness and court testimony.
• Participates in ongoing court review.
• Coordinates services with the Foster Care Program Coordinator and may provide ancillary services such as recruitment of foster and day care homes, and the placement of clients into foster and day care homes, as well as placement in institutions. Monitors quality of care in homes.
• Coordinates investigation of cases and provides technical expertise regarding the investigation and court testimony.
• Actively collaborates with other Social Services staff, as well as Tribal Court personnel, to create quality services that are consistently provided.
• Develops, composes, and prepares reports for appropriate documentation of case plans, recommendations, contacts, assessments, etc.; creates intake; completes forms, and prepares correspondence.
• Assumes 24-hour on call duties with other staff.
• Performs duties and responsibilities in a professional and ethical manner, which does not negatively impact the clients or the credibility and effectiveness of the position.
• Seeks and engages in continuing education necessary to maintain required certifications and licenses as well as to maintain professional knowledge and relevance.
• Maintains all information about clients as confidential, in accordance with Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, or related field and 2 years of experience in a social services/case management capacityOR a MA/MS in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Must have advanced knowledge of the theories, principles, and concepts of social casework practice (assessment and treatment oriented) related to all assigned program areas.
• Must have knowledge of social group work principles and methods; medical symptoms related to injuries or failure to thrive in children; battered child syndrome, and the laws dealing with child abuse, neglect, and other dependency conditions.
• Must have knowledge of persons with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities as well as alcohol and other addiction issues.
• Must have knowledge of and experience with motivational interviewing techniques, crisis intervention methods, and relevant treatment modalities.
• Must be familiar with available social services resources and organizations.
• Must have working knowledge of software programs including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must have valid driver license for state of residency and be insurable under Tribal vehicle insurance policy.
• Must pass a thorough background check including Criminal History and fingerprint check.