Lead Social Caseworker – Children, Youth & Family Services (Generalist)

Open to El Paso County Employees only

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families? Do you bring a strong background in leadership and child welfare? Join our team as a Children, Youth and Family Services Lead for our team! We're seeking an experienced candidate with strong skills in leadership, time management, documentation, and maintaining professional relationships with not only medical providers and hospitals, but with law enforcement, Safe Passage, and schools. Expectations for this position will include daily variability in tasks and reporting locations. This role demands flexibility, problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration within various outside agencies. In this position, you will be building a collaborative partnership by working side by side with outside agencies. If you’re ready to take on a role that combines people management, collaboration, and meaningful impact, apply today to join our team. Together, we can build a brighter future for the youngest members of our community!

• Provides lead work for a team, including assisting with training, technical support, orienting new employees, providing guidance and mentoring, and resolving complex problems and issues to meet the needs of clients. Provides input and support to the leadership regarding applicable performance evaluations.
• Fosters a team atmosphere that is inclusive and supportive.
• Provides casework and assessment services for teams as directed. Reviews and ensures incorporation of treatment and work plans from the court, caseworkers, providers, and community partners.
• Interviews clients and develops appropriate treatment plans as needed. Initiates and/or coordinates home studies and provides intensive casework services to families and children related to assigned functional area. As assigned, reports and/or investigates allegations of child abuse and assesses imminent danger for children; makes referrals to community resources and collateral contacts.
• Monitors clients' progress and ensures that needed services are being provided, that treatment plans are being followed through in a timely manner, and determines the appropriateness of the placement and services provided. Ensures services are being provided effectively and in a timely manner for the safety and wellbeing of the child.
• Provides crisis management and coordinates support services for clients to resolve problems, barriers, and conflicts.
• Acts as a liaison for the DHS and consults with other caseworkers and community professionals on case situations, treatment/case plans, issues, and problems.
• Attends and testifies in court hearings and mediations; completes appropriate paperwork, documentation, petitions, reports, reviews, etc., for court hearings; monitors clients' compliance with court orders; serves temporary custody notices and petitions the court for verbal orders.
• Prepares for and participates in meetings and staffings. Mediates any disagreements during meetings and staffings; builds consensus to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child.
• Addresses child safety issues in the home to mitigate safety concerns as assigned; ensures that children in the department's custody or supervision receive necessary interventions.
• Documents all contacts and ensures that all paperwork and documentation are accurately completed and filed; completes necessary case information reports, inputs updates into database.
• Arranges and provides transportation for clients to appointments, therapy, school, court hearings, pre-placement visits, etc.
• Acts as a liaison for the Department of Human Services (DHS); consults with appropriate parties to include DHS staff, providers, and community partners.
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and County laws, outcome measures, rules, and regulations; reviews cases to ensure case plans are developed and implemented.
• Provides support to Practice and Support and Services teams within the CYFS Division as needed. 
• Assists with collecting, monitoring, and reporting team statistics, data, and outcomes.
• Facilitates meetings as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.

 
Supervision Exercised: This classification requires functioning as a lead worker performing essentially the same job duties as those directed and includes overseeing work quality, training, instruction, and scheduling work. May include providing input on hiring/disciplinary action and work objectives/ effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed.
Supervision Received: This classification requires functioning as a lead worker performing essentially the same job duties as those directed and includes overseeing work quality, training, instruction, and scheduling work. May include providing input on hiring/disciplinary action and work objectives/ effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of casework practices, procedures, and protocol; working knowledge of child safety and family engagement.
• Demonstrated leadership skills preferred.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with co-workers, clients, other agencies, the courts, and the public. Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to efficiently plan, schedule, and organize.
• Ability to assess situations and make prudent and appropriate decisions. Ability to apply conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead and train others; ability to objectively assess the performance of others.
• Abilities in interviewing and investigative techniques and practices.
• Ability to accurately and efficiently complete paperwork, reports, and documentation timely. Ability to utilize supervision in making casework decisions.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment. 
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computer, fax machine, copier, and telephone.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a higher education institution with course work related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker as stated in Volume 7. Course work examples can include and are not limited to, the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques.
• Two years of professional caseworker or case management experience in a public or private human services agency.
  • Bachelor’s degree of social work, a Master’s degree of social work, or a Master’s degree in a human behavioral science field with at least 10 semester or 18 quarter hours in courses relevant to child welfare may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance as stated within El Paso County’s Personnel Policies Manual.
• Must obtain and maintain necessary certifications as applicable to position.
• Colorado State Child Welfare Caseworker Certification or the ability to successfully complete and pass initial examination within ninety days of employment.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation to include fingerprinting, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, and physical examination. College transcripts required prior to the date of hire.

Duties are performed in an office environment, client's homes, schools, jails, and court; must be able to climb stairs in or outside of these environments and able to walk up and down driveways and sidewalks. Hybrid remote work environment dependent upon Department discretion and business needs. May be exposed to hostile family situations/individuals, and unsanitary and hazardous conditions. Reliable transportation is required as you will be utilizing your own registered and insured personal vehicle to transport clients as needed; mileage reimbursement is available upon request. This position may require a 24/7 on-call and after-hours rotational schedule. Local and non-local travel, including possible out-of-state travel, may be required. Occasional lifting of files, supplies, children: exerting 20 lbs. – 50 lbs. occasionally; 10 lbs. – 25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly.

The classification specification above is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities and minimum qualifications; specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and environmental conditions will vary depending on the needs of the department/office and the particular assignment. Changes to this document may only be made by a member of the Human Resources Department.

Salary : $58,380 - $87,590