General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
HOURS: Part-time, 24 hours per week (0.6 FTE)
Working hours will require some weekend screening hours
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $32.39 - $36.44/hour (108 Salary grade)
FULL SALARY RANGE: $32.39 - $50.61/hour
LOCATION: Hybrid; mix of telework and in-person at the Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: AFSCME
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 5/29/2024
Dakota County offers rewarding career opportunities that make a real difference in people's lives. From maintaining roads to maintaining property records, protecting the environment to protecting our children's health, finding homes for those in need to finding justice for crime victims - the work we do touches the lives of each of our residents every day. We're proud of what we do. You can be too. Join our team of nearly 2,000 and launch a career where you can truly "Be More."
We offer more than just careers that make a difference; we also offer competitive benefits, work life balance, and convenient work locations. Will you be the next person to join us at Dakota County?
Child and Family Intake Social Workers are responsible for the receipt, documentation, and screening of all alleged child maltreatment reports in Dakota County. Intake Social Workers also have substantial knowledge of various services throughout the county and take referrals for children's mental health, the Parent Support Outreach Program, and child welfare services.
Some weekend and after-hours work may be required to ensure timely screening of child protection concerns.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or Human Services related field
AND
One year full-time professional experience in a social services agency OR Two years full-time paraprofessional experience in a social services agency.
AND
Valid Driver's License
PREFERRED EDUCATION BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or Human Services
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Previous experience in Minnesota child protection strongly preferred; experience in screening and assessment in a Social Service program area also desirable.

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.
1. Engage families, individuals, and professionals to assess and evaluate concerns and resources of families potentially needing services, including safety and risk.
2. Conduct effective interviews with people seeking services for themselves or others in order to discern the appropriateness of referrals for county services and specific community resources to meet needs.
3. Gather information and evaluate whether reports of abuse or neglect meet statutory criteria for assignment to child protection, and if so, the type and timeframe of response indicated by the report.
4. Provide immediate response and direction in crisis situations to address imminent safety concerns for children, families, and community. Establish an immediate safety plan for children to maximize their safety.
5. Determine eligibility for voluntary county social services addressing family and child needs (children's mental health, child welfare, Parent Support Outreach Program).
6. Arrange and coordinate access to direct services and advocacy for children and families.
7. Educate agency and community stakeholders on county services for children and families and mobilize partners in opportunities for integrated service responses across agencies.
8. Communicate with other departments, law enforcement, the County Attorney's Office, and Minnesota departments as indicated by the nature of reports encountered in intake to ensure effective multiagency responses and operational decisions.
9. Complete all agency, state, and federal required documentation related to intake work in the manner directed and according to mandated timelines.
10. Demonstrates a commitment to support cultural diversity County wide, actively supports the County's diversity initiatives, and works to address the needs of diverse and underserved communities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-10 are essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Extensive knowledge of community resources, county services, and funding sources.
• Interviewing, negotiation, and listening skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of child and human development, family dynamics and systems, including crisis management, cultural competency, and the impact of traumatic experiences.
• Skill in conveying critical information accurately, completely, and concisely in writing.
• Basic knowledge of medical diagnoses, medications, and basic medical terminology, as well as medical insurance processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of statutes, rules, and policies pertaining to social work and core job functions, especially maltreatment of minors and children's mental health.
• Ability to navigate multiple information systems (SSIS, MNCIS, MAXIS, OnBase, et cetera).
• Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English.