Social Worker - Child Protection

Salary : $27.76 - $37.05 Hourly

Location : Milaca, MN

Job Type : Full-time

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 00776

Department : Community and Veterans Services Office

Opening Date : 01 / 07 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Description

The Social Worker provides professional, person-centered services to clients as part of a comprehensive program to effectively address service needs, maximize functioning, protect and preserve the welfare of individuals and the community. Identifies client needs, funding sources, creates and develops service plan; implements, monitors, and evaluates services plans.

This position operates under the AFSCME-CVS bargaining unit. Complete 2024 pay scale is $27.76 / hr-$37.05 / hour; bargaining contract has not yet been settled to determine rates of pay for 2025 and beyond. For a complete position description, click

Primary caseload will be Child Protection.

Essential Functions

This job description indicates the normal type and level of work expected of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

• Interviews clients to assess their service needs in order to determine safety and well-being; coordinates comprehensive care, assessments, and case management, including formulating specific recommendations relating to internal and external resource utilization; referrals to service providers; assesses service outcomes, and responds to licensing applications. Assesses, develops, and implements services plans to provide services to residents in a wide range of areas, including but not limited to, adult and child protection, mental health, developmental disabilities, foster care and child care licensing, truancy, delinquency, early intervention, brain injury, elderly services, substance use disorder assistance, etc. within established state, federal, and county guidelines and procedures.
• Provides intake services as assigned, obtaining information to facilitate the identification of client service needs, respond to inquiries and requests for services, initiate timely screenings to determine the need for immediate action, and provide resource information to the public. Assess problems, make decisions, determine appropriate response based on knowledge of internal and external resources, and implement plan of action.
• Conducts timely investigations in response to reports of neglect or abuse; interviews alleged victim and alleged perpetrator of maltreatment, as well as other people who may have pertinent information such as school personnel or medical professionals. Gathers and analyzes data, evidence, and reports. Utilizes information and interviews obtained to make determinations of maltreatment against alleged perpetrators. Coordinates with Law Enforcement, County Attorney's Office, and other community agencies to meet the needs of victims. Forensic Interviews of alleged victims may be required at times. Conducts investigations for day care and foster care licensing purposes. Completes home studies and responds to complaints and requests regarding childcare providers and foster care providers.
• Assesses and formulates plans to address behavioral, safety, and cognitive need of clients.. This includes specific recommendations relating to internal and external resources, service outcomes, evaluation schedules, and plan revisions to effectively promote positive quality care in the least restrictive setting.
• Manages active caseload, which includes but is not limited to : provides direct contact in office and field, provides counseling, advocacy, and service coordination for on-going case management to achieve service plan objectives. Functions as lead on teams or projects and provides direction and consultation to other staff and service providers as assigned. .
• Navigates agency, state, and federal computer systems including SSIS to complete required documentation related to client activity to ensure the accurate and timely recording, retention, and retrieval of case files. Makes recommendations to utilize e budgeted crisis, waiver, and other funding streams appropriately to assist in meeting the needs of clients.
• Utilizes the authority of the courts, law enforcement, and DHS Commissioner to provide services to clients in need of protection by initiating court proceedings and court actions. Prepares documents to initiate court action and complete court reports. Attends and testifies at state and tribal court hearings. Interprets and complies with court orders and monitors client compliance with court orders. Works collaboratively with court services in Children in Need of Protective Services (CHIPS), permanency, delinquency, criminal matters, court visitor requests, guardianship matters, and civil commitments; periodic reviews; and emergency guardianship. Represents the Commissioner of DHS and / or the Agency for all appeals, hearings, and court actions regarding maltreatment, licensing, and service determinations. Act as legal guardian, conservator or rep-payee for vulnerable adults or children as appointed.
• Provides immediate response in crisis situations to determine if children and / or vulnerable adults are in imminent danger; works closely with law enforcement and foster care providers to find appropriate placements as necessary. Maintains safety of clients and community by developing and implementing plans to maximize safety and minimize community risk. Effectively engages individuals and families to assess needs and strengths, including safety, risk, and conflict resolution. Locates emergency housing options, including facilitation of transportation if necessary.
• Utilizes appropriate community agencies to collaborate in providing services, support, and other needs of community. Includes coordination of appointments, meetings, schedules, and client needs to determine most effective ways to meet the needs of the community. Transports clients to appointments, services, agencies, etc. to meet basic needs, which may include moving children and adults to various placements, hospitals, programs, facilities, housing, etc., which may require travel throughout the state and out-of-state. May include moving of clients' belongings as part of transport.

Minimum Qualifications

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based on a review of training and experience. Top candidates will be invited to participate in oral interviews.

This is a continuous posting and will remain open until filled. First review of applications will be 1 / 14 / 2025 and ongoing thereafter.

Permanent part-time employees are eligible to earn pro-rated holiday, vacation and sick time benefits.

The following is intended to be a general overview of benefits provided for full-time positions. Insurance benefits become effective the first day of the month following the month of hire. Further details and a complete copy of the applicable contract / policy language are available at the time an employment offer is extended. If you have any questions about the benefits, please contact the Administrative Services Office at

Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Benefits Provided

Employees fall under the General, Police & Fire, or Correctional defined benefit plan depending on their position. PERA rates and handbooks available on-line :

Contribution amounts are based on the employee's pay each pay period.

Employer Contribution 7.5%

Employer Contribution : 16.2%

Employer Contribution : 8.75%

Paid Time Off

Holidays : Full-time employees have approximately 14.5 paid holidays per year, including floating holidays, subject to the terms of the Personnel Policy or Collective Bargaining Agreement as applicable.

Vacation : Full-time employees earn 11 to 23 days per year, depending on tenure. Part-time employees earn pro- rated accruals.

Sick Time : Full-time employees accrue 12 sick days per year. Part-Time employees earn pro-rated accruals.

Medical Insurance

Employees have three (3) medical insurance plans to choose from, within three (3) different networks. The rates shown are effective 1 / 1 / 2024 through 12 / 31 / 2024.

Single Employee Cost HSA Contribution Family Employee Cost

RTS Medica Passport

2000-25% HSA $0 $187.50 $1,073.84

850-40 $0 N / A $1,365.40

400-35 $56.00 N / A $1,514.20

RTS Medica Elect

2000-25% HSA $0 $291.67 $783.36

850-40 $0 N / A $1,038.48

400-35 $0 N / A $1,168.68

RTS Medica VantagePlus

2000-25% HSA $0 $312.50 $725.26

850-40 $0 N / A $973.10

400-35 $0 N / A $1,099.58

Employees may choose to contribute additional funds to their HSA each year, up to the IRS limit of $4,150 for singles, and $8,300 for families. Once age 55, employees can contribute an additional $1,000 (to either single or family). The IRS limit applies to the total of employer and employee contributions combined.

Employees may choose to have their employer HSA contribution (if eligible) go into a VEBA account.

Dental Insurance

There is no cost to employee for single coverage. Family coverage costs the employee $74.22 per month.

Vision Insurance

Vision coverage is available and paid for by the employee at the following monthly rates :

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's) Available

Plan options include medical and dependent care FSAs, as well as a premium only plan (pre-tax deduction of medical and dental premiums). These amounts cannot be changed during the year unless there is a qualifying life event. All funds must be used by claims deadline.

Deferred Compensation Program Available

Deferred Compensation Plans are available through Nationwide : https : / / preauth / index.html

Life Insurance

There is no cost to the employee for $15,000 in basic life insurance coverage. Rates for voluntary additional coverage for employee or spouse vary according to age category :

Age of Employee Or Spouse Employee Monthly Cost Per $1,000

Under age 35 .06

35-39 .10

40-44 .12

45-49 .17

50-54 .25

55-59 .45

60-64 .68

65-69 1.29

70-74 2.08

Dependent Life & Child Life Insurance Packages Available

Child life is available as a $10,000 policy on each child; the cost is $1.30 per month. Dependent care is available as a $2,500 policy on all tax dependents; the cost is $0.66 per month.

Long-term Disability Insurance Plan Available

Rates vary according to age and coverage amount.

Age Price per Month / Per $100 Monthly Benefit

Under age 25 .26

25-29 .33

30-34 .40

35-39 .48

40-44 .65

45-49 .94

50-54 1.25

55-59 1.51

60 1.53

Short-term Disability Insurance Plan Available

Rates vary according to age and coverage amount.

Age Price per Month / Per $100 Weekly Benefit

Under Age 25 11.20

25-29 8.90

30-34 9.60

35-39 8.90

40-44 8.00

45-49 8.80

50-54 9.40

55-59 12.00

60-64 13.80

65 15.50

Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Confinement Insurance Available

Do you have a valid driver's license?

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or a closely related field?

Please list the field of study in which you possess a degree.

Do you have a Master's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or a closely related field?

Please list the field of study in which you possess a degree.

Are you a licensed social worker? (Note : Licensure is NOT a requirement for this position).

If yes, list your license number :

Which of the following best describes your years of experience working with children, families, or vulnerable adults in a community-based setting?

Please explain how you obtained your experience as noted above, including where this work was performed and what duties were performed. If not applicable, list "N / A."

Which best describes your highest level of professional experience working as a social worker?

Please explain how you obtained your professional experience as a social worker, as indicated in the above question. Include employer name and examples of work performed. If not applicable, list "N / A."

Do you have any experience interviewing and / or conducting investigations?

Please explain how you obtained your experience as noted above. If not applicable, list "N / A."

Please indicate the following software / systems that you are PROFICIENT in using (select all that apply) :

Why are you interested in this position, and in working for Mille Lacs County?

Required Question

Salary : $3,050 - $5,000