What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker I -Continuous Posting position at Dept of Children and Families?
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 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 multilingual 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 support 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.
IMPORTANT: Offers of employment are made based on agency staffing needs. Offices in the Southern Region consist of:
- Greater Waltham Area Office, 157 Overland Road, Waltham, MA 02451
- Coastal Office – 220 Forbes Road Rear, Braintree, MA 02184
- Taunton Office – 1 Washington Street, Suite 200, Taunton, MA 02780
- Brockton Office – 110 Mulberry Street, Brockton, MA 02302
- Fall River Office – 1822 North Main Street, Suite 400, Fall River, MA 02720
- New Bedford Office – 651 Orchard Street, Suite 400, New Bedford, MA 02744
- Barnstable Office – 181 North Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
- Plymouth Office – 44 Industrial Park Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
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.
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.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.
- Applicants at the Department of Children and Families must obtain the required license in Social Work within the first nine (9) months of employment.
Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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