Compensation Range

$32.99 - $42.88

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Job Description Summary

Continuous

This posting is intended for promotional opportunities within the Human Services Child Welfare dept only. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Recruiting at x4242.

The Weld County Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division is searching for a Child Protection Intake Caseworker to apply learned and trained knowledge and abilities in professional casework under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff. Assesses complaints regarding families in which children may be neglected, abused or exploited. Learns to assess family for safety and risk and determines the need for and level of intervention required by the Department of Human Services. Provides child protective services and case management to family until case is transferred or closed under direct oversight of assigned supervisor. This position is in-person and may be eligible for occasional telework options upon successful completion of initial training and demonstration of high work performance.

Please watch the Colorado Realistic Social Caseworker Job Preview video.
https://youtu.be/YWYG-Yj9dhE

Mission Statement: Engaging and partnering with the community to improve safety, health and well-being of individuals and families through the delivery of responsive and collaborative services.

Vision Statement: The people of Weld County are connected to the resources needed to thrive in the community and feel safe and empowered.

Weld County Department of Human Services’ greatest asset is our staff.

The Ideal Candidate for the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division will be someone who possesses the following traits:
1. Highly motivated
2. Passion for families and our community
3. Critical Thinker
4. Team Player
5. Innovative
6. Proactive
7. Adaptable
8. Collaborative

Entry Level:
$32.99 - $42.88 hourly

Journey Level:
$69,222.40 - $93,454.40 annually

Senior Level:
$72,696.00 - $98,134.40 annually

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Job Description

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned. (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.)
 

Entry Level: A training level position with intensive supervision and/or coaching by the County Department in which assignments are limited to fifty percent (50%) of the county’s average caseload or ten (10) assessments/cases at any given time, whichever is less, are planned and devised to develop and teach professional social casework techniques, basic foundations, and concepts appropriate to the assigned areas.

Journey Level:
A novice level position with intensive supervision and/or coaching by the County Department. Caseload will gradually increase throughout a 12-month period and will be capped to seventy-five percent (75%) of the county’s average caseload or fourteen (14) assessments/cases at any given time, whichever is less. Trainings plans are devised to develop and teach professional social casework techniques, basic foundations, and concepts appropriate to the assigned areas.

Senior Level:
A tenured level position with supervision and/or coaching by the County Department. Carries a full caseload and may mentor or coach new workers. Makes determination of need for protective service intervention with supervisory approval and files in court, as needed. Provides immediate crisis management and child welfare services to youth/children remaining in home including emergency referrals to community resources. Provides resources and referrals to families to other community agencies and services. Serves as liaison with other community agencies to facilitate services. Utilizes critical thinking skills with the support of a supervisor to determine next steps to assure safety for children.

Uses critical thinking skills and completes thorough assessments with families to determine possible abuse or neglect as outlined in Children’s Code and Volume 7. Initiates and completes in-depth assessment within state mandated time frames, assesses child/youth safety, and plans appropriate service intervention as follows. Makes home visit(s) to referred family; interviews identified youth and siblings and caregivers living in the home. Makes determination of need for protective service intervention with supervisory approval and files in court, as needed. Provides immediate crisis management and child welfare services to youth/children remaining in home including emergency referrals to community resources. Provides resources and referrals to families to other community agencies and services. Serves as liaison with other community agencies to facilitate services. Utilizes critical thinking skills with the support of a supervisor to determine next steps to assure safety for children.

Completes Institutional Assessments regarding day care homes and facilities, certified foster homes, certified kinship homes, group homes, and Residential Treatment Facilities when the institution is in Weld County when the victims are under the age of 10. Institutional assessments of kinship homes will only occur when a County Department of Human Services has custody of the child and the kinship home is in Weld County.

Prepares for and participates in case-specific court hearings, consulting with County legal staff as needed. Prepares court updates and letters in a timely and professional manner. Without legal representation, provides information on youth, case progress and advocacy in courtroom setting using strong communication skills.

Completes all case documentation accurately and timely. This includes records of contact, safety and risk assessments, assessments closure, and other assessments/case related documentation.

When necessary, places youth/children into the least restrictive out-of-home placements such as foster or kinship care when in need of emergency substitute care. Has clear and necessary communication with the care providers to ensure that they have the information needed to care for the children properly. Maintains contact with the care provider throughout the duration of the placement while you are the open caseworker.

Attends RED teams, family engagement meetings, group supervisions, staff meetings, staff training, regular supervisory meetings, and other agency or community meetings as requested. Maintains and increases knowledge and skills through attendance to meetings, conferences, training seminars and in-service training sessions. Performs additional duties as assign.

Applies skills and knowledge gained from successful completion of the State training for new caseworkers. Learns from assigned Child Welfare Intake Supervisor, Child Welfare Trainers and Child Welfare Intake mentors on how to perform required duties within the Child Welfare system in Weld County and understands Department guidelines and policies. Demonstrates an emerging level of competence through regular practice, trainer observation, and verification by the County Department as outlined in the request for certification.

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Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Entry Level:
• A bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution with course work related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker. Course work examples can include and are not limited to, the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques.

Preferred Education:
• A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field.
 

Journey Level:
• A bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution with course work related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker. Course work examples can include and are not limited to, the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques, AND
• Six (6) months professional or volunteer work experience in a human service-related agency, OR
• One (1) semester of internship in a child welfare setting.

Preferred Education and Work Experience:
• A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field
• One (1) year of experience working in a public or private social services agency.
• One (1) year of experience working in Child Welfare.
• One (1) year of experience working with Community Partners and knowledge of community resources.

Senior Level:
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field; OR
• Bachelor’s degree or higher degree with 30 semester hours, or 45quarter hours, of course work in development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures or therapeutic techniques such as social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and/or child development; AND
• Successful completion of one (1) year as a of Weld County child welfare caseworker as documented in the annual performance evaluation which shows a Meets standard or higher on core competencies and responsibilities; OR
• One (1) year child Welfare experience in another Child Welfare Agency and successful completion of 6 months as a journey level Weld County child welfare caseworker as documented in the annual performance evaluation which shows a Meets Standard or higher on core competencies and responsibilities.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
• Must possess ability to keyboard at 40 words per minute.
• Must have a valid Colorado Driver's License and Liability Insurance. Must provide own transportation and be willing to travel throughout Weld County.
• Must pass Human Services Background Checks. Background checks include CBI/FBI fingerprinting and will continue to be monitored throughout employment.
• Must possess a high level of flexibility and a strong understanding of Child Protection practices while adhering to guidelines.
• Must have demonstrable skills in critical thinking and independent judgment.
• Must obtain and maintain Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker Certification during the course of employment.
Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
• Ability to read and write Spanish in a proficient manner.
• Ability to interpret and translate between English and Spanish using professional language.

The Entry level position is non- exempt (Compensation to determine FLSA status) from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Journey & Senior level positions are exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore ineligible for overtime pay.

As an applicant for this position, you should be aware of Senate Bill 19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The act requires employers to announce the pay range for job openings.

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Use the link below to get a closer look at the generous benefits offered:

https://www.weld.gov/Government/County-Information/Join-Our-Team/Employee-Benefits

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Weld County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.