Child Welfare Case Manager

Job Summary

Do you have a desire to better the lives of the children of Sherburne County?  

Join our professional team of Social Workers in the Child Welfare unit of Sherburne County Human Services!

Child Protection case management services protect children from child abuse, neglect and exploitation; to prepare and implement case management plans for the treatment of child abuse, the protection of victims; to participate in legal actions arising from child abuse case activities; and to perform related duties as assigned.
 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These examples of typical duties do not include all possible tasks for this classification and do not limit the assignment of related tasks. Regular attendance according to the department's approved work schedule is required for all Sherburne positions.

Initial Intake Screening, Assessment and Arrangement for Health & Human Services  

• Accept referrals.
• Interview walk-ins or call-in requests for services.
• Complete necessary paperwork.

Case Management
 

• Effectively engage individuals and families to assess and evaluate needs and strengths, including safety and risk.
• Collaborate with agencies and clients to determine eligibility, need, and level of service for identified clients.
• Construct and implement a Case Plan, which includes necessary assessments, defines goals and objectives, and provides for the direction of service.
• Coordinate and provide direct services and advocacy to clients and families.
• Facilitate access to and integrate community resources on behalf of the client.
• Evaluate, document, and monitor progress toward goals and objectives.
• Maintain and apply knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, and statutes and professional practice.
• Complete agency, state, and federal required documentation as related to client activity according to mandated timelines.
• Close cases based on eligibility or client desire to discontinue services.
• Provide immediate response in crisis situations. Maintain safety for clients and community.
• Develop and implement a safety plan for clients to maximize their safety and minimize community risk.
• Prepares legal documents and testifies at court, as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: BA/BS in Social Work or closely related field.
 
 Must have a valid MN driver's license and reliable vehicle.

Experience:  
Social Worker I: Minimum of completed Social Work internship or closely related field
Social Worker II: Minimum of 1 year of Social Work experience or equivalent education plus work experience

Desirable experience: Social Worker CORE/Foundation training, Signs of Safety training, Corner House training, SSIS training, previous Social Work Investigations/Assessments or Case Management experience. Child Welfare IV-E Scholar.
 

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skills needed include interviewing, information collection, assessment, counseling, program development, advocacy skills, report writing and resource development, maintain objectivity.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of all Federal/State laws, Department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of court processes, mental health, maltreatment, and delinquency.
• Demonstrate by personal example the service excellence and integrity expected from all employees.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including sharing knowledge with others and participating in new employee training.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with human services staff, other county employees, clients and the public.
• Confer regularly with and keep one's immediate supervisor informed on all important matters pertaining to assigned job accountabilities.
• Represent the County in a professional manner to all clients, professionals, and community members when doing the County's business.
• Ability to handle confidential and data privacy issues appropriately.
• Ability to handle contentious issues appropriately.
• Ability to solve problems and determine appropriate course of action.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrams or schedule forms.
• Ability to manage crisis situations.

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees
 

• Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's vision, mission, and values.
• Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and county-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
• Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Informs immediate supervisor of all-important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
• Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
• Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
• Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

Hiring Salary Range: 
Social Worker I: $29.92 - $35.91/hour (Grade 12)
Social Worker II:  $32.01 - $38.41/hour (Grade 13)

Union: Teamsters

Vacancies: 2
Interviews: Selected candidates will be informed via email by 12/26/24 to self-schedule 10-minute phone interviews on 12/30/24.
 

Hours of Work 
Usual work schedule of 40 hours per week generally during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; may include occasional evening and weekend hours.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment
Must be able to endure extended travel, up to 8 hours or more per day. Must be able to provide own means of transportation when county vehicles are not available. May be required to travel to remote areas and in all weather conditions.
Must be able to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (15-25 pounds).
 
Typical Working Environment:
80% Inside Work (office and field work), 20% Travel. (These percentages are an estimate and may vary based on job duties.)
Work is performed both in the office and in the field (some examples of settings include client’s: homes, apartments, hospitals, group homes, schools, shelters, correctional facilities, and treatment facilities). Headaches, eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury in the office. Field visits to clients’ homes may expose employee to unsanitary conditions, communicable illnesses, infrequent exposure to health hazards, unpredictable and/or unsafe environments.
Likelihood of verbal abuse and threats from hostile, frustrated clients and may include unpredictable situations.