Child Protective Services - Caseworker I / II

Pay Range :

$24.51 - $31.71 hourly (DOE)

MONTROSE COUNTY BENEFIT INFORMATION :

General Statement of Duties - Caseworker I / II : Provides intake and / or ongoing social casework to adults, children and / or families. Assignments may fall under the following areas : Child Protection, Adolescent Services, Adult Services, Foster Care / Retention, Adoption, and Life Skills. Develop case plans to address specific issues. Make referrals to other agencies, when appropriate.

Supervision Received - Caseworker I : Receives close supervision from the unit supervisor, program manager and / or director in the assigned area.

Supervision Received - Caseworker II :  Works under the supervision of the Caseworker Supervisor and performs a variety of routine work within established policies, procedures and receives detailed instructions on new projects and assignments.

Supervision Exercised - Caseworker I / II : None assigned.

Essential Functions - Caseworker I : Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties, which may be found in positions of this class.

• Assesses allegations and safety risks of referral cases to include receiving referrals, completing intake and assessment forms, and assessing safety of home and / or need for out-of-home placement.
• Provides crisis intervention and on-going counseling as needed to assist families in decision-making and problem resolution; act as advocate for client.
• Coordinates client services and safety with other County departments, professionals, and outside collateral agencies (i.e. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, and foster care services).
• Designs a treatment or service plan to address risk and needs assessments, establishes goals and objectives, and coordinates client services and referrals.
• Prepares and presents case information and documentation to the courts, state review proceedings, and for communications with attorneys and / or other professionals.
• Refers clients to outside state and community resources.
• Monitors compliance or non-compliance; determines appropriate course of action.
• Appropriately handles emotionally charged people and situations, and deal with a variety of types of human suffering.
• Develops and writes a variety of documentation, completes necessary forms, and writes correspondence relevant to each case.
• Performs data entry and on-going case updates in the system as assigned.
• Accurate timelines for data system entry and reports are consistently met.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Essential Functions - Caseworker II : Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties, which may be found in positions of this class.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Education - Caseworker I / II : A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a Human Behavioral Science field or 5 years relevant experience in the field of Long Term Services and Supports can substitute need for Bachelor's Degree. Additionally, some combination of education and relevant experience would also fulfill the requirements.

Experience - Caseworker I : A minimum of one (1) year experience in human behavioral sciences field preferred.

Experience - Caseworker II :  A minimum of two (2) years full time casework experience in adult protective, child protective or juvenile services or in a related field.

Required Knowledge - Caseworker I : Scope and application of laws and regulations pertaining to physical abuse, sexual abuse, caregiver / self neglect, child / adult welfare, and elderly or disabled adult services. Principles, practices, and objectives as related to case management, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling. Assess risk; develop treatment or service plans, and counsel family and clients on methods of problem resolution. Maintain sensitive and confidential information.

Required Knowledge - Caseworker II :  Principles, practices, and objectives as related to case management, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling. Scope and application of laws and regulations pertaining to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, child / adult welfare, and elderly or disabled adult services. Assess risk; develop treatment or service plans, and counsel family and clients on methods of problem resolution. Maintain sensitive and confidential information.

Language Skills : Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in a variety of written formats. Must be able to interpret, apply, explain and enforce all applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences and levels of knowledge. Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and technical information derived from a variety of sources. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex and technical documents including contracts, court documents, complex management, and financial reports and respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to read, comprehend and translate information relayed in written or graphic format. Must be able to write policies, procedures, correspondences and other types of documents. Must have the ability to write speeches, articles and manuals and create presentations using original and innovative techniques and styles. Must have the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups and organizations and / or board of directors. Ability to prepare industry specific technical reports and budgeting information. Ability to effectively communicate with the public, federal, state and county officials, employees, community agencies and the public.

Interpersonal Skills Caseworker I / II : Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Have strong customer service orientation and work collaboratively within a team environment. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Must have the skill to organize workflow and accomplish established objectives. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must maintain appropriate professional boundaries in relationships with customer / clients and the general public.

Mathematical Skills : Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Skills : Must be able make rational decisions through sound logical and deductive processes and make sound judgments, decision making, problem solving, while planning directing and monitoring the work of the agency. Must be able to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend or implement best options in support of strategic goals and objectives. Consider concrete and abstract variables. Must have the ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in difficult and complex cases and present material in a clear and logical form, including oral and written presentations, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions. Must be able to successfully manage multiple projects and complete work under pressure pursuant to deadlines.

Office Technology / Computer Skills : Must be able to effectively use modern office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must have fundamental experience with word processing, database manipulation, spreadsheets, email, and the knowledge to save and retrieve documents from a variety of destinations and sources. Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County.

Physical Demands : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch. Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other devices and objects. The employee must frequently lift and / or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from field and meetings as required. Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations.

Work Environment : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Ability to tolerate and be productive in a quiet to moderate noise level in the work place. Employee will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field such as driving and inclement weather and potentially hostile clientele. Exposure to computer screens. May visit client homes and encounter a variety of housekeeping standards and household pets. May be exposed to potential communicable health conditions and angry, hostile, frustrated individuals and those with behavioral and / or cognitive challenges. May travel to rural areas.

Special Requirements Caseworker I / II : Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record. Willingness to work outside of traditional business hours to meet the needs of clients. Willingness to travel overnight and long distances for trainings or the transportation of clients. Must complete drug testing, finger print background check and Central Registry / TRAILs background check. Successful completion of NIMS IS 100 and 700 within one (1) year of employment. Work flexible hours, including holidays and weekends, when performing duties of positions. Act as a credible witness when testifying in court. In Child Welfare : Must successfully complete or have completed the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) provided New Caseworker Training, Fundamentals of Child Welfare within first four months of hire. In Adult Protection : Must successfully complete or have completed the CDHS provided Adult Protection Academy within 6 month of hire.

Other Duties : Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.