Title:  Social Caseworker B (Human Services)

DUTY STATEMENT:

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, the ability to work productively and professionally as a member of a team or work group and to interact appropriately with internal and external contacts, are basic requirements of all positions at Arapahoe County. Supports the County's strategic plan and goals.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Permanency Social Caseworker B will apply learned and trained knowledge and abilities in professional casework under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff. The Permanency Case Worker is responsible for working with families through the closure of their case by providing continued assessment of needs and safety, provides recommendation and implementation of services as followed by a treatment plan, assists family in building of a positive support network and sustainability plan with the goal of permanency and wellbeing for the children, youth and family.

DUTIES:

• Provides professional ongoing case management by working with family and other professionals to develop and modify treatment plans that address the root cause of the referral, monitor case progress, and identify barriers to permanency and work with family to eliminate barriers, implement additional services that promote increased parental protective capacities with the goal of preventing re-incidence.
• Collaborates with families and collaterals such as law enforcement, medical personnel, CASA’s, GAL’s, treatment providers, schools, and family support networks to obtain additional information and coordinate services, schedule, or participate in any crossover or transfer meetings.
• Monitors progress of supervised visits between children and families, to include working with Arapahoe County Visitation staff to understand parenting needs to include in treatment plan when possible.
• Collaborates with Foster Care Coordinator and/or Kinship Navigator to maintain successful placement ensuring that Foster Family and/or Kinship Family understands the goal and steps for permanency and actively participates in Foster Care Reviews and audits as required.
• Establishes rapport with family, attends family meetings, service reviews and staffing to develop knowledge of the case. Provides timely communication and reviews all pertinent documentation/reports to ensure effective services.
• Works to ensure permanency for children/youth within 12 months of case open and completes at least monthly face-to-face contacts with children and families to ensure effective assessment and decision-making related to case disposition. Responsible for making all efforts to achieve permanency for youth and children through permanent custody, guardianship, and adoption when children/youth are not able to return home.
• Provides case-specific documentation including development of family service plans, court documentation, TRAILS entries of face-to-face contact notes and other documentation, assessment completion, placement paperwork, service referrals, visitation assessments and other related tasks within regulated timeframes.
• Gathers and consolidates background information to present as documentation for court hearings, as progress reports in judicial reviews, or as summaries in facilitating appropriate placements. Attends court hearings and testifies in court as necessary, confers with lawyers, children, parents, witnesses, and significant others in reference to their respective roles.
• Participates in scheduled supervision, team meetings, unit meetings and division meetings. Perform as an active team member in RED team, Family Team Meetings, and other professional development work groups. Complete required and continuing education annually and obtains training or additional professional knowledge when needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Ability to adapt to fast-paced and high-volume work environment and be able to handle high stress and complex situations while remaining calm and professional. Must be well versed in effective conflict resolution and possess ability to deescalate hostile situations and confidently make decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a positive and professional work environment. Establish and maintain professional working relationships with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, staff, peers, supervisors, providers, state officials, and other community partners.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to prioritize tasks, take initiative, and multitask.
• Ability to effectively present information, write reports and business correspondence and respond to court, managers, customers, other agencies, co-workers, and the general public via fax, telephone, and email. Ability to clearly articulate concepts, directives and goals to employees, professionals and state and community representatives.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and state and county computer systems. Ability to learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and one (1) year of professional casework, case management, or human services experience in a public or private human services agency. 

OR

• A bachelor's degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and successful completion of a child welfare internship within a County Department of Human Services or a related Human Services Agency with direct contact and service to children and families in the community.

OR

• A master's degree from an accredited institution in social work or a human behavioral science field* with no experience.
• * In order to meet the minimum educational requirements of a human behavioral science degree, the applicant must have a degree with major course work (equivalent to 15 semester credit hours or 25 quarter hours) in either development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures or therapeutic techniques such as social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and child development.

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of employment.

Post-Employment Requirements:

• Will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)background check.
• Permanency caseworker staff may be asked to be available to work on-call on a rotation basis.
• Must have already successfully completed the Colorado Pre-Service Training Academy program or if hired must successfully complete and pass all required State of Colorado training in order to be certified as a caseworker. Maintain Child Welfare Certification through 40 or more hours of yearly training.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work locations and facilities are subject to change based on business need.
• Position is deemed essential and permanency casework staff must be available for winter storm and other emergency events.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 50% of the time sitting and 50% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.