Social Worker I/II - Ongoing Child Protection

JOB SPECIFICS

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Child Protection Social Worker to join our Adolescent Services team. This position works primarily with older youth and their families who are experiencing complex challenges such as runaway behaviors, truancy, parent–child conflict, mental health concerns, chemical health issues, and disrupted adoptions.

This role provides comprehensive case management focused on safety, stability, and permanency for adolescents. The social worker will partner closely with youth and caregivers to assess needs, develop individualized case plans, and implement solution-focused interventions that strengthen family relationships, reduce safety risks, and support youth well-being.

The Child Protection Social Worker will collaborate with schools, mental health providers, community partners, law enforcement, and placement providers to coordinate services and ensure youth receive the support they need to succeed. Youth may be living at home or in out-of-home placement, and the position includes regular travel within the metro area and to other parts of the state to meet with youth and families. The role also includes court involvement and documentation related to child protection proceedings.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong skills in engagement, assessment, crisis intervention, and problem solving. The ability to navigate complex family dynamics while maintaining empathy, cultural humility, and a strengths-based approach is essential.

The ideal candidate has a solid understanding of adolescent development, trauma-informed practice, and the unique experiences of youth involved in the child welfare system. They will be committed to advocacy, equity, and empowering youth and families to build stability and move toward wellbeing and positive permanency outcomes.

• Paid work experience as a social worker working with adolescents
• Experience interacting with and providing services to individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• One year of paid social work experience in a county agency
• Paid work experience within the juvenile court system
• Completed MN Child Welfare Foundations Training
• Certified in Motivational Interviewing

JOB SUMMARY

The Social Worker I is an entry level position responsible for identifying and assessing complex individual, family and community problems and strengths, selecting case work, group methods or community resources and implementing plans to protect vulnerable people, promote independence and prevent abuse or neglect.

A Social Worker I may be assigned duties in any of the following units: Family/Children, Licensing, Chemical Health, Adult Mental Health, Development Disabilities, Adult Family Services, Adult Protection, Minnesota Family Investment Program/WorkForce Center or Housing.

EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field, or equivalent. There may be additional requirements based on area of assignment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field and one year of related experience as a Social Worker is highly desirable.

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.

• Support and prioritize a welcoming and respectful workplace that fosters diversity and encourages contributions from all individuals.
• Provide inclusive and equitable service to all members of the community with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrate support for the County’s diversity, equity and inclusion program.
• Promotes a culture of continuous quality improvement in the workplace.
• Demonstrates knowledge of, or ability to learn, quality/continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles, techniques, practices and ethics of Social Work.
• Demonstrates knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills at conducting interviews.
• Demonstrates knowledge of relevant laws, policies and resources.
• Demonstrates knowledge of social and economic problems and family systems.
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal and court proceedings.
• Demonstrates ability to assess vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals and families.
• Demonstrates ability to develop clear and reasonable services and plans.
• Demonstrates ability to coordinate implementation of services and plans with families, other agencies and the community at large.
• Demonstrates ability to counsel and offer supportive services to individuals and families including those in crisis.
• Demonstrates ability to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to complex situations.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate client intake.
• Receive referrals, conduct interviews and investigate to identify and assess problems or need for intervention/service.
• Develop, write, implement and monitor strength-based individual and family service plans to correct/eliminate identified problems.
• Determine appropriate resources and referrals to community-based care and services.
• Develop and implement abuse prevention plans to address vulnerabilities.
• Determine and implement intervention services.
• Assess risks to self and others (abuse or neglect and dangerousness).
• Intervene in crisis situations.
• Coordinate and secure emergency services.
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts.
• Provide client case management.
• Collaborate and consult with others (professional staff and community agencies) regarding clients, community services or programs.
• Open and maintain client case records and files according to established standards and timelines.
• Prepare necessary correspondence, required narratives, eligibility reviews and other incoming/outgoing communication about the client.
• Provide appropriate information regarding case openings, closings, and denials.
• Provide testimony or written recommendations in county or district court or in administrative appeal hearings regarding client cases.
• Advise clients of possible resources, rights and responsibilities under programs or services.
• Develop, coordinate and deliver program information to the general public, special interest groups and professional organizations.

Performs other duties as assigned.
Essential functions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Semi-sedentary involving office and outside field work. Lifting requirement may include lifting up to 20 pounds. Exposures may include but not be limited to disagreeable odors, communicable diseases, bodily fluids and behavior challenges. Use of general office equipment to include telephone, cell phone, pager, personal computer, laptop computer, electronic recorder, calculator, etc. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.