Child and Adult Protective Services Caseworker

Child and Adult Protective Services Caseworker

Job Title:Child Welfare Intake Caseworker
Department: Department of Human Services
Reports To:Child and Adult Protective Services Supervisor
Classification:Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation Range: $60,000-$70,000 annually (additional compensation for on-call)
Benefits:Employee Benefits | Lake County, CO

Why join our team?
Join a workplace where public service meets opportunity. At Lake County Government, employees are empowered to grow, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact every day. We offer a supportive environment that values innovation and connection, with reliable compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to helping you succeed both professionally and personally.

Cultural Expectations

• Assume Good Intent:
  
  Approach each interaction with a positive mindset and openness to understand others.
• Model Professionalism:
  
  Maintain high standards in behavior and communication that reflect our values.
• Apply County-Wide Lens:
  
  Consider the broader impact of decisions on our community and organization as a whole.
• Be Solutions-Oriented:
  
  Focus on finding constructive solutions rather than dwelling on problems or challenges.
• Practice Servant Leadership:
  
  Prioritize the needs of others, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Support Meaningful Work-Life Balance:
  
  Encourage boundaries that support personal well-being while achieving professional responsibilities.

This position is primarily responsible for conducting intake assessments for Child Protective Services (CPS), with assistance in overflow casework tied to Adult Protective Services (APS). The positional duties include intake, screening, investigations, and ongoing services for families and vulnerable adults in Lake County. The caseworker is responsible for ensuring the safety and stability of families and at-risk adults through collaboration with community partners, advocacy, and intervention.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Conduct investigations of CPS and APS referrals to determine whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred, including observation, interviews, and coordination with family members and community partners.
• Develop and implement effective, individualized case plans for families and at-risk adults by leveraging family, friends, and local support systems to promote client safety and well-being.
• Accurately document all case activities including assessments, contacts, and plans using the TRAILS electronic case management system for CPS and CAPS for APS.
• Advocate on behalf of clients and work collaboratively with law enforcement, legal entities, healthcare providers, the school system, and other professionals.
• Determine appropriate protective actions, which may include removal from unsafe environments. Provide court testimony when necessary.
• Participate in screening and evaluating incoming CPS and APS referrals with the Protective Services Supervisor and team to determine assignment eligibility.
• Maintain compliance with state and agency requirements, including successful completion of the Adult Protection Academy and Child Protection Academy with ongoing required annual training.
• Support APS in a caseworker capacity during overflow periods, assisting with intake, assessment, and follow-up as assigned.

Not Applicable

State Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a Social Science such as social work, counseling, psychology, or sociology.
• An applicant may be eligible if they have an adjacent degree to a social science, for instance, communication, political science, nursing, or public administration. The county is required to petition the state for acceptance of this degree. This will be evaluated with previous experience in casework.

On Call Requirement:
This role is on call on a rotating basis. Compensation is at a flat rate per day.

• Difficulty of Work:
  • Work is performed in a variety of cases that will have similar and dissimilar problems. Each case is substantially different and often…