CASEWORKER III

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision of the Casework Supervisor or other administering supervisor, this position performs senior level work providing a full range of intake and/or ongoing social casework services for a variety of Title XX program areas such as child abuse, neglect cases, youth-in-conflict cases, and adult protection.  May also provide for the provision of ancillary services such as recruitment and supervision of foster and daycare homes and the placement of clients into foster and daycare homes and institutions.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES:

  • Conduct investigations of alleged physical abuse, neglect and parent conflicts and determines if situation warrants placing children outside the home.
  • Supervise placement of children and coordinates parent/child visits and determines when and if to recommend that children return to the home.
  • Develop effective case plans, provides counseling and referral services to families.  
  • Assess any new child abuse or re-abuse complaints and provides crisis intervention in these situations.
  • Provide intake assessment and evaluation, ongoing counseling services, and case planning to a variety of other cases including adult protection, family conflict and youth-in-conflict.
  • Determine the need for recommending placement of clients; locates placement appropriate to client’s needs; and monitors client’s progress in placement.
  • Make home visits with clients, organizes services such as life skills, daycare, financial assistance, physical and mental health, legal services, and provides information on available services.
  • May provide ancillary services such as recruiting new foster parents and conducting daycare licensing studies and certifications.
  • Monitor quality of care provided in foster homes.
  • Prepare court reports providing updates and recommendations based on clinical assessment, gives expert testimony.
  • Develop and write reports for appropriate documentation of case plans, recommendations, contacts, assessments, etc.  Develop case file information; completes forms and writes correspondence.
  • Participate in weekly rotating on-call schedule for after normal business hours.
  • Adheres to all County policies and procedures, and all laws and regulations as they pertain to assigned area.
  • Other related duties as assigned by the Casework Supervisor or the Department Director.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

A Master’s degree in one of the human behavioral science fields, or a Bachelor’s degree in one of the human behavioral science fields with four (4) years of experience. 

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of two (2) years casework experience.  One year of the required experience must be full journey level work.  Also, a BSW or MSW degree with an approved internship with a county department of social services may be substituted for the required work experience 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

  • Knowledge of agency policies, laws dealing with child abuse, neglect and other dependency conditions, regulations, procedures, basic function of service delivery and intervention, child development, and community resources.
  • Therapy and Counseling — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.  (e.g. problems of the elderly, mentally ill, mentally retarded, physically disabled, drug and alcohol abuse).  
  • Knowledge of social group work principles and methods. 
  • Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. 
  • Knowledge of medical symptoms related to injuries or failure to thrive in children.
  • English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Sociology and Anthropology — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
  • Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively. 
  • Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.  Skilled in observation with an eye to detail.
  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.  It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. 
  • Skilled in writing, research, and data management. 
  • Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Ability to testify effectively in court hearings.
  • Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism. 
  • Ability to accurately and effectively transmit and receive information that is necessary to the accomplishment of goals and objectives including effective written and oral communication; ability to keep customers, subordinates, peers, and supervisors informed; and the ability to listen. 
  • Able to maintain courteous and effective working relationships with the public, County departments, co-workers and other agencies. 
  • Ability to be well organized and skilled in time management.
  • Computer proficiency required in word processing and databases.
  • Requires a level of knowledge and ability to accomplish tasks or projects in a consistent and accurate manner in a variety of situations.

NESESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have valid Colorado Motor Vehicle Driver’s License

Must pass background check:  Criminal & Traffic

Conviction of a crime will not be an absolute bar to employment

Required legal authorization to work - United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms.  The employee is required to:  stand, walk, bend, twist, stoop, or kneel.  Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination.  Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects in a range from 25 up to 40 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. 

  • Work is performed in either office environment; or client’s or foster parents’ home when appropriate.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax/scan machines. 
  • Possible exposure to conditions relating to - loud noise, all types of weather and non-weather conditions, exposure to extremes of temperatures, fumes, odors, dirt, dust.  Must be able to drive, and occasionally will operate a county vehicle in poor driving conditions.  Some extensive travel may be necessary.  Work can be a stressful environment during peak activity periods demanding full attention and coordination of numerous tasks simultaneously. 

SUPERVISORY:  None

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities.  Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.




The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties, and responsibilities.  Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).