Social Worker - Child Protection

Association of Minnesota Counties; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 45,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown County Social Services is seeking a Full Time Child Protection Social Worker to provide child protection services in New Ulm, MN. The role supports investigations, screenings, and coordination of services for families, with opportunities for CPI or CPII level depending on qualifications.

Offers hourly wage ranges from $32.91 to $36.90, DOQ, and requires education in human services with relevant experience. CP Foundations training and a valid driver's license are prerequisites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in human services with experience.
• Two years’ county social worker/case manager experience preferred for CPI; advanced degree eligibility for CPII.

Responsibilities

• Investigates reports of child abuse/neglect.
• Screens child protection reports with screening teams.
• Supervises family-based workers, foster parents, therapists, and skills workers.
• Coordinates services and referrals for families.
• Interprets child welfare laws.
• Prepares court reports and testifies in court.

Skills

Case management

Leadership/mentorship

Time management

Data privacy

Communication

Training/development

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in human services

Two years county social worker/case manager experience

Tools

SSIS

Assessment tools

Job description

Full Time Social Worker - Child Protection

Salary

$32.91 - $36.90 Hourly

Location

New Ulm, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

00312

Department

Human Services - Social Services

Opening Date

08/25/2026

Closing Date

9/8/2026 4:30 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

Provide Child Protection services to children and families.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Investigates reports of abuse/neglect of children.
• Screens child protection reports with screening teams.
• Supervises family-based workers, foster parents, therapists, and skills workers.
• Coordinates services and referrals for families.
• Interprets child protective services and child welfare laws pertaining to abuse/neglect.
• Provides preventative services to neglected children.
• Interprets social and emotional factors to multi-disciplinary teams involved in the treatment of clients.
• Attend and facilitate Child Protection multi-disciplinary teams.
• Arranges and provides for visitation of children with their families.
• Prepares intensive long or short-term case plans.
• Consults with psychiatrists, psychologists, attorneys and other providers.
• Makes child foster and residential placements.
• Prepares court reports and recommendations.
• Testifies in court proceedings.
• Interprets and implements judicial findings and court orders.
• Assess the health and safety needs of clients.
• Protect client confidentiality in compliance with data privacy laws and rules.
• Act as a Mandated Reporter of child and adult protection concerns.
• Mobilize crisis resources to reasonably assure the health and safety of clients.
• Provide direct and indirect support to families and individuals in the home, office and community.
• Assist with transporting clients as needed.
• Knowledge and ability to effectively use SSIS and assessment tools.
• Maintain case records which meet Federal and State guidelines.
• Be knowledgeable of legislative changes and mandates.
• Be knowledgeable of community resources.
• Complete annual and ongoing training as required.
• Participate in agency/unit meetings.
• Works closely with law enforcement, County Attorney, medical staff, the entire Brown County Human Service staff, probation workers, Guardian Ad Litems (GAL), staff from a variety of treatment centers, community educators, mental health staff, Public Health nurses and other community professionals.
• Represent the County as approved on various boards and committees and special projects.
• Perform office intake and weekend on-call duties as required by the agency.
• Provide community education.
• Available to work outside regular business hours, including nights and weekends.

All County Jobs

• Other duties as assigned or apparent.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Attends meetings and training, as needed.

Position is for a CP I at Grade 10 with an entry hourly wage range of $32.91 to $36.90, DOQ.

OR

CP II at Grade 11 with an hourly wage range of $34.55 to $38.75, DOQ.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Qualifications

This position may be filled at either the Child Protection Social Worker I (CPI) or Child Protection Social Worker 2 (CPII) level, depending on the candidate’s education and experience.

Cp i

• Bachelor's or master's degree in human services field and two (2) years’ experience as a County Social Worker/Case Manager preferred.

CP I Requirements

• Completion of Child Protection Foundations Training within the first six months, if not already completed.
• Valid Class D Driver’s License.

CP II:

• Master's degree in human services field plus tow (2) years' experience as a County Social Worker/Case Manager; or
• Master's degree in human services field plus (1) year direct experience as a County Child Protection Social Worker; or
• Bachelor's degree in human services field plus five (5) years direct experience as a County Child Protection Social Worker.

CP II Requirements:

• Completion of Child Protection Foundations Training within the first six months, if not already completed.
• Valid Class D Driver’s License.
• Proven leadership/mentorship qualities demonstrated over the most recent five years or more with a specific unit (mental health, child protection, adult services, etc.).
• Ability to train on various programs/ roles within the unit.
• Ability to mentor.
• Ability to facilitate team meetings when supervisor is not present.
• Regular attendance according to the department’s work schedule.
• Maintain good performance standing with Brown County.
• Maintain safety, data privacy, and data security training.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to maintain, review and interpret program management reports.
• Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local laws and regulations regarding collections, child support enforcement, data privacy and human services programs.
• Understanding of basic social work practices and a working knowledge of other units and services within the agency and community resources.
• Ability to plan, assess, and make decisions under pressure.
• The ability to use time wisely and efficiently.
• Determine work priorities and manage workload requirements.
• Ability to perform the job functions as governed by policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and law.
• Demonstrate the ability to anticipate and meet realistic time frames. Flexibility to adjust to crisis situations.
• Demonstrates dedication and conscientiousness in carrying out job responsibilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with clients, colleagues, agency administration, professionals and work with the public in a positive manner.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to plan and coordinate workflow for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ability to handle confidential information and follow data practices requirements.
• Skill with human resource management practices including training, delegation and performance appraisal.
• Ability to apply professional/ managerial principles and judgement within overall goals/ direction established by senior management.
• Considerable analytic ability to select, evaluate, and interpret data from multiple sources.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts to achieve organizational objectives.

Brown County provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package as part of your total compensation.

The following outline of County-offered benefits serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.

Vacation

Vacation Accruals, Utilization, And Payouts Vary Within Each Collective Bargaining Agreement And/or The Employee Handbook. The Following Is The General Overview Of The Vacation Benefit For Full Time Employees

Years of Service Biweekly Accrual Rate (based on 80-hour pay period)

Years Completed Total Hours Per Year

Up to 4 years 101.66 hours

4 years but less than 8 years 130 hours

8 years but less than 12 years 157.30 hours

12 years but less than 16 years 185.38 hours

16 or more years 201.50 hours

Sick Leave

Full time employees may earn 8 hours of sick leave per month.

Paid Holidays

Most Employee Groups Observe The Following Holidays

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• President's Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day (Observed)
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

Health Insurance

Full-Time employees and employees working 30 or more hours per week may choose between single or family coverage. Eligibility begins on the first day of the month after the date of active employment.

The County has designated a base plan which is a high deductible plan with an HSA option. The County contributes monthly towards the cost of the health plan premiums with a semi-annual county contribution into employee's HSA for the single or the family coverage plan. For regular part time employees working 30+ hours/week year around, the County will pay 75% of the county share of single coverage (base plan) which may be applied towards family coverage and also contribute 75% of the employer HSA contribution.

Life Insurance

Full-Time Employees are provided with the following term life insurance benefit at no cost to them. Regular part-time employees working 30 or more hours per week are eligible for this benefit with County paying 75% of premium. Eligibility begins on the first day of the month after the date of active employment.

$20,000 term life/$20,000 AD&D

Retirement

The County and the employee contribute to PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association)

• Employees must participate as directed by Minnesota statutes.
• Contribution rates vary depending on position.
• Employee may obtain refund of employee contribution upon termination of service.

Variable Benefits Available

The following benefits are available on an elective basis at the employee's choice:

• Dental
• Vision
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (FSA)
• Deferred Compensation (457b)
• Roth IRA
• Supplemental Life
• AFLAC Plans

Questions regarding benefit information can be directed to Human Resources at [phone].