Indian Child Welfare Case Investigator/Case Worker

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION:Indian Child Welfare Case Investigator/Case Worker

LOCATION:Red Cliff Reservation, Indian Child Welfare Office

WAGE:$22.00 per hour, 40 hours per week

SUPERVISOR:Red Cliff Indian Child Welfare Director

THIS IS A REGULAR FULL-TIME NON-EXEMPT POSITION

JOB SUMMARY:

The primary goal of the Indian Child Welfare Department is to prevent the breakup of Red Cliff families and to prevent the permanent removal of Tribal Children from the custody of their parents. Red Cliff is seeking to hire an Investigator/Case Worker who is eager to empower families in our Tribal community and keep children safe by investigating alleged child abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. The person selected for this position will also be required to assist in screening in/out all reports and investigations and follow through on allegations of child abuse/neglect and to provide on-going case management services to families in the Tribal court system and families in crisis

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Investigate alleged abuse, neglect and/or abandonment of children to determine if abusive or unsafe conditions exist and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of children. 
2. Interview children and adults, including victims and/or perpetrators, concerning allegations of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to ascertain the validity of allegations, document living conditions, and determine the need to remove the children from an unsafe environment. 
3. Conduct follow-up interviews to the safety of children is maintained and support programs are in place. 
4. Accept referrals regarding minors alleged to be in need of care. 
5. Work collaboratively with the ICW Intake Social Worker in providing on-going case management services based up on all the findings of all Intakes and investigations in accordance to the Red Cliff Code of Law, Children’s Code Chapter 26
6. Develop case plans concerning any minor, if an investigation supports an administrative or

judicial finding that the minor is in need of care.

1. Make reports to the Children’s Court and to provide information or referrals to recognize child welfare agencies having an interest or service role concerning a Tribal child.
2. Maintain a confidential system of records, subject to disclosure to a non-party only upon order of the Children’s Court.
3. Subject to the approval of the Tribal Council, negotiate service agreements with other recognized child welfare agencies.
4. Comply with all reporting requirements for funding sources as well as required internal reporting requirements.
5. Conduct home visits on a regular basis.
6. Must be available on an on-call basis for emergencies/crisis interventions.
7. Meet with Family Service Staff and other Tribal/County Programs to provide case management for clients.
8. Attend and participate in staff and other meetings, Child Protection Team meetings, in-service training, and other events as directed by ICW Director.
9. Provide or refer to appropriate agency individual/family counseling services for youth and their families involved with the Indian Child Welfare Department.
10. Assist the prosecutor with filing petitions; conduct investigations and case studies as necessary.
11. Assist families in whatever way possible to carry out their court ordered plans and work cooperatively with County and other social service agencies to ensure that services provided are appropriate and culturally relevant.
12. Promote a working environment noted for effective cooperation and collaboration between programs, services and co-workers.
13. Provide telephone or in person testimony to off reservation child protection cases.
14. The above duties and responsibilities are not an all-inclusive list but rather a general representation of the duties and responsibilities associated with this position. The duties and responsibilities will be subject to change based on organizational needs and/or deemed necessary by the supervisor.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: None

KNOWLEDGE: 

Preferred: 

1. Working knowledge of Indian child Welfare Act (U.S. Code: Title 25 Chapter 21 §§1901- 1963) and the uniqueness of the Red Cliff Community. 
2. Considerable knowledge of the theories, practices and investigative techniques used in child protection and family support. 
3. Working knowledge of the federal Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (U.S. Code: Title 25 Chapter 34 §§3201-3211). 
4. Knowledge of Tribal and County service providers. Knowledge of the unique culture of Red Cliff and the extended family system. 
5. Working knowledge of other federal, tribal, state and local laws governing child protection.
6. Working knowledge of federal, tribal, state, county and community social service programs available for child protection and family support. Skills and communicating to elicit information and cooperation from groups or individuals. 

Required: 

1. Working knowledge of Tribal communities, cultural customs and Tribal operations. 
2. Ability to collect, organize and evaluate information to develop logical conclusions. 
3. Ability to interview children and adults to determine the validity of allegations. 
4. Ability to apply crisis intervention techniques. 
5. Ability to maintain composure during investigations, interviews, court direct examination and cross examination testimony.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Associates Degree in human services, social work, or related field, preferred. 
2. A minimum of one (1) year experience working with Children and Families in need of support and services preferred. 
3. Experience with children who have experienced trauma preferred. 
4. Training and or knowledge in ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) or obtain within probationary period. 
5. Training or knowledge of historical trauma and how it affects the Red Cliff community, preferred. 
6. Basic understanding of the extended family system as it exists in Red Cliff, preferred. 
7. Experience working closely with families, performing home visits, performing needs assessments preferred. 
8. Experience with AODA and how it affects the family system preferred. 
9. In-depth knowledge of Tribal and County Social Service Providers preferred. 
10. Case Management skills preferred. 
11. Must have a valid driver’s license, vehicle and appropriate vehicle coverage and maintain driver’s eligibility as a condition of employment. Be eligible to be put on the tribe’s vehicle insurance policy.

PERSONAL CONTACTS:  Considerable daily contact will be made with the ICW Director, general public, Tribal Leadership, Program Directors and staff, consultant(s), and the Tribal Community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work in an office-like setting; however, this position does require repetitive movements, lifting, standing, bending, kneeling, reaching and walking. Must be able to lift at least 20 pounds. There will be some bending, lifting and reaching in overhead storage, but mostly sedentary work

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Indian Child Welfare Office, Appearances in Tribal Court, Residences in the Tribal Service Area. The majority of work is a combination of office and a community or home-based environment. Additional work may be performed in a variety of settings to meet client/departmental needs.  All tribal buildings are smoke free.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:  The ability to travel and attend meetings and trainings; overnight and out of town, both locally & nationally.  Home visits to clients in the Red Cliff Service Area.

BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE:  The vision, goals and objectives of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa requires that the employee performs in both a professional and personable manner.  The manner in which the employee relates to fellow employees, customers and visitors is considered parallel in importance to technical knowledge and ability.  Respect and consideration given to the dignity of each customer, visitor and fellow employee is a requisite of successful job performance. Any behavior or attitude that tarnishes the name or image of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will be subject to immediate disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Indian preference will be applied in the case of equally qualified applicants, but all qualified applicants will be considered.

This job description is subject to change at employer’s discretion, after consultation with the employee.

APPLICATION SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS: The following items are required for this position:  

1. Completed Tribal Application, to include work history and references, available on the Tribal website.
2. Tribal Background Investigation Disclosure; available on the Tribal website.
3. Consent to Release Liability and Reference Information Form; available on the Tribal website.
4. Resume, required; cover letter, optional.
5. Post-secondary transcripts or certifications; if applicable.

Please download the forms from the links below.  Complete the forms and save them.  Then, please upload and attach them as "other" attachments with your application.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Human Resources Department

88455 Pike Road

Bayfield, WI  54814

www.redcliff-nsn.gov

hr-helpdesk@redcliff-nsn.gov

(715)779-3700 

The Red Cliff Tribal Council has a Drug Free Work Place Policy and adheres to the intent of the Drug Free Work Place Act.  All new hires are subject to a drug test prior to starting.

All applicants for employment with the Red Cliff Tribe will be subject to the background investigation and other requirements of RCCL Chapter 43, and are under a continuing obligation to supplement this application for employment with information concerning any convictions that occur after commencement of employment with the Tribe.

Salary : $22