Social Worker I/II - Ongoing Child Protection

Washington County (MN); Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 71,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington County in Minnesota seeks a Social Worker I/II to provide ongoing child protection services in the Children’s Division. You will manage a diverse caseload, collaborate with schools, therapists and attorneys, and help families access essential services to promote safety and stability.

The role requires strong communication, empathy, and careful documentation, with opportunities to advance and work across multiple units as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field, or equivalent.
• Master's degree in social work or related field preferred.
• Experience working with children and families is desirable.
• Experience in social work within a county/tribal agency is noted.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess complex family problems and strengths; develop service plans to protect vulnerable people.
• Coordinate with schools, therapists, attorneys and community partners to support safety and wellbeing.
• Travel within the state and participate in court processes as required.
• Maintain thorough documentation in compliance with policy and timelines.

Skills

Strong communicator

Collaborator

Empathy

Critical thinking

Team player

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work

Master's degree in social work

Tools

SSIS

Job description

This is a Social Worker I/II position doing ongoing child protection in the Children’s Division. This role offers a dynamic and meaningful opportunity to work with children and families across a wide range of case types and circumstances.

In this position, social workers carry a diverse caseload that may include:

• In-home and out-of-home placement cases
• Court-involved and non-court cases
• Truancy and educational neglect cases
• ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children) cases
• Children and youth across all age ranges

The core of this work centers on supporting parents and caregivers by connecting them to critical services that promote safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing. This frequently includes coordination of resources related to:

• Chemical health
• Mental health
• Parenting education and support
• Other community-based services

Social workers in this role collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary network of professionals, including schools, therapists, medical providers, attorneys, and community partners, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children while strengthening family functioning.

This position is ideal for a social worker who:

• Is a strong communicator and collaborator, able to engage effectively with families and professionals
• Can balance meaningful, direct work with families alongside timely and thorough documentation
• Brings empathy, critical thinking, and sound judgment to complex family situations
• Thrives in a position where no two days are the same
• Seeks to be a part of a strong, supportive team

Additional Expectations

• Travel within the state may be required to meet with families or support case needs
• Participation in court processes, including testifying, is a regular component of the role
• Managing significant documentation responsibilities in compliance with policy and timelines

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who values variety, purpose-driven work, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years paid work experience as a child protection social worker in a county or tribal agency
• Experience interacting with and providing services to individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Paid work experience working with children and families
• Master’s degree in social work (or related)
• Experience using SSIS

HOURS / DAYS:

8:00 - 4:30 Monday - Friday.Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE:

$70,720.00 - $96,470.40 Annually (This position may be hired at the Social Worker II level, depending on qualifications.)

E-Verify Participation:

Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

E- Verify Participation Poster Right to work Poster

The Social Worker I is an entry level position responsible for identifying and assessing complex individual, family and community problems and strengths, selecting case work, group methods or community resources and implementing plans to protect vulnerable people, promote independence and prevent abuse or neglect.

A Social Worker I may be assigned duties in any of the following units: Family/Children, Licensing, Chemical Health, Adult Mental Health, Development Disabilities, Adult Family Services, Adult Protection, Minnesota Family Investment Program/WorkForce Center or Housing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field, or equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field and one year of related experience as a Social Worker is highly desirable.

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field and four years of full-time work experience as a Social Worker in a public human services agency and/or a private human services agency that contracts services with a public human services agency. A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field may substitute for up to one year of required Social Worker experience. Required Social Work experience must have occurred after receipt of Bachelor's Degree.

Additional requirements for specific unit assignments will be identified when a vacancy occurs.

CORE COMPETENCIES CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.

• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace;
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles, techniques, practices and ethics of Social Work;
• Demonstrates knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills at conducting interviews;
• Demonstrates knowledge of relevant laws, policies and resources;
• Demonstrates knowledge of social and economic problems and family systems;
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal and court proceedings;
• Demonstrates ability to assess vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals and families;
• Demonstrates ability to develop clear and reasonable services and plans;
• Demonstrates ability to coordinate implementation of services and plans with families, other agencies and the community at large;
• Demonstrates ability to counsel and offer supportive services to individuals and families including those in crisis; and
• Demonstrates ability to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to complex situations.

Coordinate client intake:

• Receive referrals, conduct interviews and investigate to identify and assess problems or need for intervention/service;
• Develop, write, implement and monitor strength-based individual and family service plans to correct/eliminate identified problems;
• Determine appropriate resources and referrals to community-based care and services; and
• Develop and implement abuse prevention plans to address vulnerabilities.

Determine and implement intervention services:

• Assess risks to self and others (abuse or neglect and dangerousness);
• Intervene in crisis situations;
• Coordinate and secure emergency services; and
• Negoti ate and resolve conflicts.

Provide client case management:

• Collaborate and consult with others (professional staff and community agencies) regarding clients, community services or programs;
• Open and maintain client case records and files according to established standards and timelines,
• Prepare necessary correspondence, required narratives, eligibility reviews and other incoming/outgoing communication about the client;
• Provide appropriate information regarding case openings, closings, and denials;
• Provide testimony or written recommendations in county or district court or in administrative appeal hearings regarding client cases;
• Advise clients of possible resources, rights and responsibilities under programs or services; and
• Develop, coordinate and deliver program information to the general public, special interest groups and professional organizations.

Perform other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Semi-sedentary involving office and outside field work. Lifting requirement may include lifting up to 20 pounds. Exposures may include but not be limited to disagreeable odors, communicable diseases, bodily fluids and behavior challenges. Use of general office equipment to include telephone, cell phone, pager, personal computer, laptop computer, electronic recorder, calculator, etc. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.