Lead Social Caseworker – Children, Youth Family Services

Job Summary

To be considered, applicants must upload their unofficial transcripts with their completed application. Are you passionate about working with children and families in the community? Do you have a strong sense and ability to assess the safety of children while engaging parents and offering services? Do you like to work with community partners, law enforcement, medical professionals, and other community resources to help change lives and help families work toward their successes?

If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! As a Children, Youth & Family Services lead caseworker, you will play an essential role in working to help address child safety and provide services for families in El Paso County. In this position, you will assess child abuse and neglect referrals with families within a second-shift intake unit. You will be a part of a dynamic, supportive team with the opportunity to work closely with the community and families to resolve concerns reported through the state child abuse and neglect hotline.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to help families by assessing their needs while addressing allegations of child abuse or neglect and offering resources, guidance, and support to help them thrive. Hiring Range: $64,800.00 - $68,800.00 annually. Anticipated Hiring Rate: $67,548.00 annually. 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.

The average workday hours are Monday-Friday 3:00 pm – 12:00 am. Schedule is subject to change. Hybrid schedule may be available upon successful completion of the initial evaluation period; subject to change. Due to the sensitive nature of this role, additional background checks may be required, including a Government Program Fraud check, Child Welfare Abuse & Neglect database (TRAILS) check, and Child Welfare Caseworker Falsification check.

• 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,…