Our Mission:  Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence and stability of individuals and families.

Our Vision:  To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)

The Intake Social Caseworker B will apply learned and trained knowledge and abilities in professional casework under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff.  The Intake Social Caseworker B performs complex case management work providing intake social work services to families where child abuse or neglect is present or suspected. Assignments include the provision of extensive assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, crisis intervention, resource mobilization and information and referral around all areas of child protection.

ACDHS uses an integrated Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design, continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long term stability and sustainability.

The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse and building strong communities.

ACDHS has openings for Social Caseworker B (Intake) positions working for the Child and Adult Protection Services (CAPS) Division. The Child and Adult Protection Services Division provides protective services to children and adults, as well as foster care, adoption, adolescent services, teen 

parent programs and other services that help create strong, effective families.

The ideal applicant will have high energy and enthusiasm with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. They should enjoy flexibility and variety in their job duties and have a desire to work with families and other professionals in a team setting.

DUTIES

• Responds to allegations of abuse and/or neglect.  Conduct assessments to determine the safety of a child(ren).  Determine whether adequate safety measures are present for the child(ren) to remain in the home or if the situation  warrants out of home placement.

• Responsible for case management activities where there has been an allegation of severe neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, educational neglect, lack of supervision, and challenges in parent-child relationships.  

• Responds to referrals of fatal or near fatal child abuse/neglect; some allegations also may involve egregious harm or serious bodily injury to a child.  

• Provides immediate and short-term intervention while evaluating and assessing a family’s needs.  Complete assessments within 60 days and determine whether long-term support and services are necessary in order to achieve child safety and well-being. 

• Collaborates with collaterals and community partners (ie. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, individual family supports, mental health, substance use and domestic violence providers, economic security and housing partners, etc.) to obtain information, coordinate services, case plan, achieve stability and mitigate safety concerns for children.

• Gathers and consolidate background information to present as documentation for court hearings and to assist in determining appropriate placement when a child needs to be removed from the home.
• Participates in meetings and serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team with schools, mental health providers, child protection review teams, and other professionals involved with the family.

• Attends court hearings; consult with attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, children, parents, witnesses, and others during court proceedings. Testify in court providing testimony of involvement with the family.

• Serves as an information and referral source to other employees and to the public.

• Responsible for entering documentation and all case contacts into Trails.  Responsible for managing caseload and prioritizing  work to ensure timeliness, as required by state and federal rules and regulations.

REQUIREMENTS (Skills, Abilities and Competencies):

• Ability to adapt to fast-paced and high-volume work environment and be able to handle high stress and complex situations while remaining calm and professional. Must be well versed in effective conflict resolution and possess ability to deescalate hostile situations and confidently make decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a positive and professional work environment. Establish and maintain professional working relationships with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, staff, peers, supervisors, providers, state officials, and other community partners.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to prioritize tasks, take initiative, and multitask. 
• Ability to effectively present information, write reports and business correspondence and respond to court, managers, customers, other agencies, co-workers, and the general public via fax, telephone, and email. Ability to clearly articulate concepts, directives and goals to employees, professionals and state and community representatives.
• Ability to analyze and interpret governmental and legal regulations.  Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and state and county computer systems. Ability to learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis.

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  Behavioral Competencies:  

  Accountability

  Accessibility

  Inclusivity

  Integrity

  REQUIREMENTS

  Education and Experience:   

• Bachelors of Arts or Bachelors of Science in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Guidance and Counseling and/or Child Development, plus one (1) years of post-degree paid experience in social casework; or, 
• Masters in Social Work

• SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

  Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of employment. 
• Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.

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  Post-Employment Requirements: 

• Position is deemed essential and intake casework staff must be available for winter storm and other emergency events.   Intake caseworker staff may be asked to be available to work on-call on a rotational basis including evenings, holidays and weekends.
• Must have already successfully completed the Colorado Pre-Service Training Academy program or if hired must successfully complete and pass all required State of Colorado training in order to be certified as a caseworker. Maintain Child Welfare Certification through 40 or more hours of yearly training.
• Work locations and facilities are subject to change based on business need.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment. 

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

  The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

   

• Spends 50% of the time sitting and 50% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

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  Definitions:

  Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

  Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

  Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

  The salary grade listed is the full salary range for the Social Caseworker B position. Please note that the hiring salary will typically be near the lower end of the pay range listed.

  NOTE: If you are interested in applying for any of our Social Caseworker positions and/or are considering a career as a Social Caseworker please copy and paste this link into your web browser or click on the Casework Career Preview Video link on the top left of the main job listing page to view the Casework Career Preview Video.
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SF9pkWQByE&feature=youtu.be

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  Toll Free Applicant Technical Support:  If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (i.e. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627.  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt uploading (attaching) it.