Social Caseworker - Children, Youth Family Services

Social Caseworker - Children, Youth, & Family Services Vision

El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.

We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.

• Service Focused
• Collaborative
• Accountable
• Trustworthy
• Transparent

Come join our team to help your community and make meaningful connections! We strive to protect our most vulnerable citizens while aiming to keep families together and help them to become self-sufficient. This is a child protection position; child protection includes engaging families. It is reasonable to anticipate the need for flexibility in work hours periodically to accommodate client schedules.

$57,800.00 - $62,800.00 annually (Anticipated Hiring Rate: $60,538.40 annually). The average workday hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, schedule subject to change. Hybrid schedule may be available upon successful completion of the initial evaluation period; subject to change.

Please be advised that this position may close without advanced notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

• Interview clients and develop appropriate treatment plans; initiate and/or participate in home studies, and provide intensive casework services to families and children; investigate allegations of child abuse and assess imminent danger for children; make referrals to community resources and collateral contacts.
• Monitor and report clients' progress and provide service recommendations/referrals. Ensure that needed services are being provided, that treatment plans are being followed through in a timely manner and determine the appropriateness of the placement and services provided.
• Address child safety issues in the home to mitigate safety concerns; ensure that children in the department's custody or supervision receive necessary interventions.
• Provide crisis management and coordinate support services for clients to resolve problems and conflicts.
• Act as a liaison for the DHS and consult with other caseworkers and community professionals on case situations, treatment/case plans, issues, and problems.
• Provide casework and assessment services for teams within the Practice Unit.
• Attend and testify in court hearings and mediations as needed; complete appropriate paperwork, documentation, reports, reviews, etc. for court hearings, monitor clients' compliance with court orders; serve temporary custody notices and petition the court for verbal orders.
• Prepare for and participate in meetings and staffings.
• Document all contacts and ensure that all paperwork and documentation are accurately completed and filed; complete necessary case information reports, input updates into the database.
• Arrange and provide transportation for clients to appointments, therapy, school, court hearings, pre-placement visits, etc.
• Ensure compliance with Federal, State and County laws, outcome measures, rules, and regulations; review cases to ensure case plans are developed and implemented.
• Provide support to Practice and Support and Services teams within the CYFS Division as needed.
• Collect and report statistics and data on unit and outcomes and performances.
• Facilitate meetings as needed.
• Perform other duties as required.

This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of casework practices, procedures, and guidelines.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with co-workers, clients, other agencies, community professionals, 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 accurately and efficiently complete paperwork, reports, and documentation.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to use standard office equipment to include 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 coursework related to child welfare social caseworker responsibilities. Course work examples can include…