Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Social Worker I

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking dynamic, and mission-driven individuals to fill the critical role of Social Worker. Selected candidates will provide the necessary services to help children in need including homeless, foster, abused and neglected. In many situations, Social Worker’s interact with children and family members, including siblings, parents, extended relatives, and guardians in order to assess the needs of each child and determine the best course of action for improving the child/family environment.

Please Note: Diversity equity and inclusion are core values for the Department of Children and Families. DCF strives to continue to build the most diverse equitable and inclusive workforce possible to be representative of the communities we serve. DCF strongly encourages diverse and multi-lingual candidates to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Assess, evaluate, conduct initial and ongoing case management of children/family services, and needs.
• Develop, review, update and ensure implementation of strength-based service plans for each child in care or custody including risk assessment, safety plans and goals.
• Complete all documentation in accordance with agency and regulatory requirements.
• Attend home and foster care visits; transport children to health, social services or other agency-related appointments as required.
• Maintain ongoing communication with DCF staff and other constituencies, initiate court action when necessary.
• Empower families to make stable commitments to children by providing counseling and coordinating visits with biological parents and/or guardians and other relatives; develop a helping relationship and ensure needed supports and services are provided.
• Attend weekly supervision, weekly staff meetings, in-service training, and team meetings.
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism in the community, with clients, schools, courts and with referring agencies seeking to build and sustain positive relationships.

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and, 6) committed to continuous learning.

For more information about DCF:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-children-families

Pre-Offer Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants".

• Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

Please be advised that you have applied to a “Pipeline Posting.” Pipeline postings are used for high volume positions which require continuous hiring. Candidates who apply to this posting will remain active in the “pipeline” for 90 days and will be considered as openings arise. Although we cannot guarantee every candidate will be considered, as selection is based on job availability and individual staffing needs of the agency, candidates are strongly encouraged to reapply after 90 days.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $64,487.80 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

• If you are the selected candidate for this position, would you be willing to take the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) exam upon hire?
• What's your schedule availability for an interview?
• Do you have any work or volunteer experience working with children?
• Do you have reliable transportation to and from work?
• Executive Order #595 requires Executive Department employees to have received COVID-19 vaccination or to have been approved for exemption as a condition of employment. Finalists will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination or request an exemption due to a sincerely held religious belief or if the vaccine is medically contraindicated. Are you in agreement with this policy?
• Will you be able to reliably commute to the DCF Lawrence, MA office?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $64,488