Social Worker-CPS

• This recruitment will remain open until filled, with application review dates weekly.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment related to the position.

• Conducts complex case evaluations to assess risk/maltreatment/problems and determine appropriate action.
• Develop individualized safety plans with families to address immediate safety concerns.
• Assist clients in a person-centered and culturally appropriate manner in receiving appropriate assessment and ongoing services.
• Prepare safety/service plans; meet with clients regularly to review plans; rewrite plans as appropriate.
• Know of and interact with community resources to provide effective referral and intervention for clients.
• Participating in training needed to increase knowledge in social work processes, as well as knowledge of specific program areas.
• Seek court intervention when needed to protect the health/safety of vulnerable children or adults; prepare reports needed for court; testify in court as may be necessary; implement court orders.
• Consult with necessary professionals in multiple disciplines such as medicine, education, mental health, and others regarding assessment and case management decisions.
• Interprets programs to clients, refers clients to appropriate community services.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with the families, service providers, other professionals, as well as the court system.
• Act as a liaison with community and referral services.
• Prepare and maintain case records which meet federal, state, and local statutes/rules.
• Participate in team meetings, agency staff meetings, county meetings, and trainings.
• Comply with all rules and policies to maintain a safe work environment.
• Demonstrate reliable, predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In this job, you may come across private or confidential information about people we serve. This data is protected by law and should only be viewed or used when it’s truly needed for your work. You are expected to only look at private data when your job duties require it. Keep it secure and make sure others who don’t need to see it don’t have access. Stop accessing the data once your task is done, and store or dispose of it properly, following the rules in Minnesota’s Data Practices Act (Chapter 13). If your job duties change and you need access to different private data, that access should also be limited to only what you need to do your job.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT HIRE:
Education
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with a major in social work, psychology, sociology, or a closely related field
or
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in any field and one (1) year of experience as a social worker in a public or private social services agency.

Experience
See the above education minimum requirements.

Licenses and Other Requirements
A valid Minnesota driver’s license or the ability to obtain one upon start of employment.

REQUIRED MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES AT HIRE:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social work and the ability to apply them.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of social casework objectives, principles, and methods.
• Knowledge of social-economic factors, which promote stable family life, and understanding of the elements, which affect family security.
• Knowledge of the principles of community organization.
• Knowledge of physical and mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of social welfare research methods.
• Knowledge of family systems and dynamics.
• Ability to effectively apply casework knowledge and skills.
• Working ability to work constructively within an agency in the community setting and in effectively utilizing appropriate resources and services.
• Ability to work constructively in the development and coordination of community resources to meet special needs.
• Ability to manage time productively.
• Ability to prioritize caseloads.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Successful completion of Minnesota Child Protection/Child Welfare Orientation and Foundations training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA), and culturally responsive child welfare practices.
• Proficiency in the Minnesota Social Services Information System (SSIS) and electronic case documentation requirements.
• Experience with Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) proceedings, including court testimony, report writing, permanency planning, and collaboration with attorneys, guardians ad litem, and judicial officers.
• Considerable knowledge of federal and state welfare programs and laws.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of criminal statutes relating to child protection.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Public building and working with the public, both in the office and out in the community.

May involve regularly interacting with hostile, dangerous, unstable, and/or involuntary clients.

Exposure to the elements in the field includes icy roadways, unpaved roads, untrained or aggressive pets, unsanitary/unsafe living conditions, heat, rain, cold, and snow. Circumstances are often unknown until arrival.

HOURS

Generally, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Must possess physical dexterity and an ability to climb, crouch, crawl, bend, lift, carry, push, pull, sit, stand, walk, run, etc. Physical abilities are required in making home visits, caring for children, moving clients, etc.; some physical effort is required.

Amount Lifted:

Amount Lifted to 10 lbs.: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs.,17 min
Amount Lifted 11 to 40 lbs.: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min
Amount Lifted 41 to 101 lbs.: Not Present

Amount Pushed or Pulled:

Amount Pushed or Pulled 10 to 101lbs Not Present

Vision:

Near Vision: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours
Far Vision: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min
Depth: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min
Field of Vision: Rare: Range: 5 min to 48 min
color:inherit: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min

Contact With Others:

Works Alone: Occasional: Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min
Works with Others: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min
Works around Others: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours
Customer/Public Contact: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min
Clients with Behavior Challenges: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min
Talking/Reading: Constant: = Range: 5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours
Hearing: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min

Basic Body Positions:

Sitting: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min
Standing: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min Walking/Moving About: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min
Balancing/Crawling: Not Present
Crouching/Kneeling/Climbing: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min

Motor Skills:

Handling: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min
Grasping/Using Fingers: Occasional: Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min
Reaching: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min
Feeling: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min
Driving: Frequent: = Range: 2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min

Exposures To:

Mechanical/Pressurized/Electrical/Burning Equipment: Not Present
Explosive/ Radiant Energy: Not Present
Moving Equipment: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs, 39 min
Heights: Not Present
Fumes/Odors: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min
Dirt/Dust: Occasional: = Range: 49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min
Gases: Rare: = Range: 5 min to 48 min

See also Physical and Environmental Factors Form.

EXAMPLES OF EQUIPMENT USED

Computer, telephone, fax machine, laptop, photocopier, calculator, email, iPad, automobile, GPS, infant/child car seats (installation and use), county vehicles, on-call cell phone and other necessary software including Compass/Compass Copilot, SSIS, Microsoft Office, Tyler Host, MGA, and MMIS/MAXIS.

All of the above are essential functions of this job.

• Receive anniversary step increases for current earning potential of $83,694 annually ($42.92/hr). Additionally, receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement

Life Insurance– as a County employee, you will be covered by $40,000 of life insurance at no expense. Supplemental coverage is available for you, your spouse, and your dependents.

The official holidays for this Douglas County position are: *New Year’s Day *Martin Luther King Jr Day *Presidents’ Day *Memorial Day*Juneteenth*Fourth of July *Labor Day *Veterans’ Day *Thanksgiving Day *Day after Thanksgiving (in place of Columbus Day) *Christmas Eve*Christmas Day *Labor Day *Personal (Floating) Holiday.

Vacations:

Full-Time Employees will accrue vacation according to the following schedule:

0-4 years 10 working days
5–9 years 15 working days
10–14 years 20 working days
15–19 years 25 working days
Over 20 years 30 working days

Douglas County offers an exceptional benefits package to full-time employees including vacation, sick, funeral leave, and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package are health, dental, and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan) and supplemental insurance; deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (PERA).

Benefits may offered on a pro-rata basis or not offered for less than full-time employment.