Child Protective Service Worker Senior

Elevate Your Impact as a Lead Advocate!

Are you an experienced caseworker ready to take on higher-level responsibilities and serve as a pillar of expertise for your team? We’re looking for a Child Protective Service Worker Senior to handle our most complex cases and provide peer leadership within the unit. This role is designed for the seasoned professional who excels in high-stakes clinical decision-making, mentors junior staff, and serves as a primary liaison between the agency and the judicial system.

• Advanced clinical expertise in identifying chronic neglect, severe physical abuse, and complex family dynamics.
• Proven mentorship abilities
  , with a track record of guiding Associate and entry-level workers through difficult field situations.
• Superior analytical skills to review case data, identify trends, and develop creative solutions for families with significant barriers to success.
• A mastery of the legal system
  , including the ability to draft sophisticated court documents and provide expert testimony in high-profile proceedings.

Under general supervision, perform complex Child Protective Services casework. Work requires advanced judgment concerning multifaceted cases involving the abuse/neglect/exploitation of minors. Requires attendance of necessary training to keep up with evolving case work procedures. Demonstrate effectiveness to train, assign, and review the work of others as a lead worker. This level of child protective service work is characterized by serious and complicated casework that requires advanced judgment of possible dangerous situations to both worker and client.

Personal vehicle required for travel. Overtime and on-call during non-regular business hours required. Must be available and have access to telephone. Performs related work as required. This position is for the Bureau of Social Services.

• Manage a specialized caseload involving high-risk or high-profile cases that require advanced intervention strategies.
• Serve as a Lead Worker, providing technical assistance, coaching, and peer review of documentation for Associate and regular-level CPS workers.
• Conduct “Joint Investigations” with law enforcement and medical specialists in cases of severe trauma or criminal intent.
• Draft and present complex permanency plans to multidisciplinary teams, advocating for the long-term stability of children.
• Act as a hearing officer or agency representative in administrative reviews and high-level court hearings when the Supervisor is not available.

• Valid WV driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to maintain detailed case records and extensive documentation.
• Strong commitment to completing background check and required training.
• Two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in a public or private health or human services agency.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Additional education may substitute for the required experience based on a year-for-year basis, as determined by the Office of Shared Administration Equivalency Chart.
• One (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience as a Centralized Intake Worker, Adult Protective Service Worker, Child Protective Service Worker or Youth Service Worker may substitute for the required experience (internal applicants only).
• Applicants hired into this classification must obtain licensure as a Social Worker from the West Virginia Board of Social Work within a timeframe established by the appointing agency. Until licensure is obtained, they may not perform duties that require a licensed social worker under state law or Board regulation.

• Take the lead on the most challenging and rewarding cases, utilizing your advanced skills to protect the children in critical need.
• Serve as a subject matter expert, influencing office-wide best practices and helping to train the next generation of social workers.
• Enjoy competitive benefits, including generous leave, comprehensive health coverage, retirement options, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs.
• Advance your career in a…