Social Worker- Child Protection

Undisclosed; Fergus Falls (MN); On-site; USD 73,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Life insurance

Long-term disability

PERA retirement plan

Paid holidays, sick and vacation leave

Job summary

Otter Tail County is accepting applications for a full-time Child Protection Social Worker in Fergus Falls, MN. The role includes intake, assessment, ongoing direct services, and supervision of case management for children and families needing protection from maltreatment.

The position is 40 hours/week, typically Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30 with starting pay $34.93/hour and potential advancement to $55.41/hour; includes PERA retirement benefits and paid holidays and leave.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a major in social work, psychology, sociology, or closely related field.
• Bachelor's degree with a major in any field and one year experience as a social worker.
• Valid Driver's License in the State of Minnesota

Responsibilities

• Provide intake, assessment, and ongoing direct services and case management supervision for children and families needing protection.
• Coordinate and provide services to children and families residing in Otter Tail County.
• Establish collaborative relationships and implement agency goals and procedures.

Skills

Bachelor's degree with a major in SW,

Bachelor's degree + 1 year social work

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or closely related field

Bachelor's degree in any field + 1 year social work experience

Job description

Otter Tail County is accepting applications for a full-time Child Protection Social Worker.

The purpose of the position is to provide intake, assessment, and ongoing direct services and case management supervision for children and families that have been identified as needing protection from maltreatment and coordinate and provide services to those children and families residing in Otter Tail County when needs have been identified. Workers need to establish collaborative relationships, participate and assist with the implementation of unit and agency goals, policies and procedures to provide optimal services to clients based on resources available to the agency.

Human Services employees perform work in the Fergus Falls and New York Mills locations. The current opening is in Fergus Falls.

The deadline to apply is August 25, 2026 at 4:30pm.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a major in social work, psychology, sociology, or closely related field OR
• Bachelor's degree with a major in any field and one year experience as a social worker.
• Valid Driver's License in the State of Minnesota

This is a full-time, 40 hours/week position, and generally the work hours are Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 p.m. The 2026 starting salary is $34.93 per hour, depending on qualifications, with potential career advancement to $55.41 per hour.

The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Prior to hire, finalist will be required to pass a background investigation and reference check. A standard one year probationary period applies.

Otter Tail County provides an attractive benefit package for regular full-time employees, including health, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Regular full-time employees can expect to accrue holiday, sick, and vacation leave benefits. In addition, employees receive professional development opportunities.

Please note: This position is considered a safety-sensitive position due to the essential job duties in accordance with Minn. Stat. 181.950, Subd. 13. Safety-sensitive employees are subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing. In addition, all employees are subject to drug and alcohol testing upon reasonable suspicion/cause, return-to-duty, follow-up, and post-accident.

Veterans Preference

Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and required supporting documentation must be included with the employment application to receive preference.

Background Investigation

All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.

Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. Making false statements or withholding information during the hiring process will cause you to be barred from employment or removed from employment.

Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.

Otter Tail County does not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex (pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, or genetic information.

Equal Opportunity Employer