Social Worker (Youth Services)

Wright County, Minnesota; Buffalo (MN); On-site; USD 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation and sick leave

Pension/retirement plan

Job summary

Wright County Health and Human Services invites applications for a Full-time Youth Services Social Worker. The role focuses on case management for children with Severe Emotional Disturbance within Child Welfare and Mental Health programs, with potential duties in placement and criminal justice involvement.

Responsibilities include intake, assessment, developing case plans, coordinating services, and complying with safety and regulatory guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work; or bachelor's degree in a related field and one year of related experience in social work/health and human services.
• Knowledge of social work theory and practice fundamentals; knowledge of laws related to mental health, child welfare, and licensing.

Responsibilities

• Performs intake, outreach and assessment with communities, systems, families and individuals and provides social service interventions.
• Meets with clients to identify needs and services; obtains and reviews evaluations for program eligibility.
• Develops case plans, provides services and performs case management activities; conducts investigations and assessments; coordinates placements with community providers.
• Oversees, mentors, and participates in orientation and training of staff and interns.
• Reports incidences of maltreatment and testifies in appeals and legal proceedings.
• Maintains knowledge of programs, laws and procedures through meetings, training and literature.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Case management

Evidence-based practice

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Documentation/record-keeping

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work

Job description

General Definition of Work

Full-time Youth Services Social Worker at Wright County Health and Human Services. Youth Services is comprised of Children's Mental Health, Child Welfare, Extended Foster Care, Education Neglect, PSOP and Minor Parent. The primary objective of this position, Children's Mental Health and Child Welfare, will be providing case management services to children with Severe Emotional Disturbance and their families. This position may also provide Child Welfare services to youth and families with children in placement and criminal justice involvement.

Performs difficult advanced human support work assessing, planning, providing, and coordinating social services programs through the provision of professional social work and case management services. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Social Services Supervisor.

This position may be assigned to specialized functions within the Health and Human Services Department.

Hiring pay range

Hiring pay range is $33.97/hr. - $38.05/hr. depending on qualifications and direct work experience. Please note this position is in-office work setting.

Essential Functions

• Performs intake, outreach and assessment with communities, systems, families and individuals and provides social service interventions utilizing evidence-based practices and standards.


• Meets with clients to identify needs and services; obtains and reviews diagnostic evaluations for program and service eligibility.


• Develops case plans, provides services and performs case management activities; conducts investigations; performs assessments and screenings for health and safety and ongoing services; develops written support and service plans; reviews, monitors and adjusts as necessary; addresses crisis situations, advocates for client services and provides services or refers clients for services and placements with community providers; contacts law enforcement or emergency services as necessary; delegates to support staff as necessary.


• Consults with Supervisor and may consult with County Attorney's office regarding legislation, data practices, and ethical dilemmas; provides training to and serves as a resource to others in Department, community, schools or other County Departments regarding program rules and requirements and County practices; updates and maintains program resources.


• Oversees, mentors, and participates in orientation activities and training of newly hired social work staff, students and interns.


• Reports incidences of maltreatment, death and serious injuries of adults and children; testifies and provides documentation in appeals and legal proceedings.


• Maintains knowledge of programs, laws and procedures by attending meetings, training and conferences, and reviewing technical literature.


• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Education And Experience

Minimum Qualifications & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Bachelor's degree in social work; or bachelor's degree in a related field and one year of related experience in social work/health and human services.

Special Requirements

Two years of related work experience in Health and Human Services is preferred.

QDDP Status upon hire may be required.

MnCHOICES Assessor certification within six months of employment.

A valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of social work theory and practice fundamentals; knowledge of human behavior principles and theory; knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply, laws and regulations related to mental health, chemical dependency, adult and child protection, licensing, child welfare, adoption, and physical and developmental disability programs; knowledge of local, State, and Federal laws, rules, regulations and policies pertaining to assigned area including knowledge of court procedures and practices; knowledge of computer systems and programs used to administer Human Service programs; knowledge of County government work flows and processes; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computers and software programs; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and understand medical reports and technical and legal documents; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to perform data entry into various databases; ability to deal effectively with demanding/challenging individuals and individuals in crisis; ability to pay attention to detail and effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and tasting or smelling, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Benefits

Wright County offers an exceptional benefit package including vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package is health, preventative dental and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (pension).