Lead Social Caseworker -Permanency-Hybrid Work Model

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)

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.

The lead social caseworker position is expected to take and provide leadership with and among the team, and act on behalf of the supervisor when the supervisor is not available. This position provides guidance to fellow co-workers, interns, and acts as a consultant to other agency staff. The lead social caseworker will perform assigned lead casework over team members and assist the supervisor to establish unit goals, plans, and specific unit functions. In addition to acting as team lead, the incumbent also performs the duties of a full case carrying caseworker. A lead social caseworker will perform senior level case work by providing social work services with assignments including the provision of extensive assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, crisis intervention, resource mobilization and information and referral around all areas of child or adult protection. They will provide intensive case work services for high profile, complex and serious cases.

Anticipated Hiring Range - Min: $66,755.78- $76,622.52.

DUTIES:

• Carry full workload in addition to providing guidance and leadership to follow co-workers, interns, and agency staff.
• Support the training and development of new or less experienced caseworkers that encourages professional growth and commitment to excellence and help to create and implement a system that helps caseworkers manage their workloads at a high volume and fast pace.
• Assist supervisor and perform supervisory roles in their absence, supporting directives and maintaining effective communication with the supervisor. Keep supervisor apprised of issues that my impact the team.
• Demonstrate competencies and critical decision-making skills when working with assessments or cases and lead by example and set a precedent for other caseworkers.
• Models and coaches to best practice and taking on an active and positive role on the team and in the agency. Encourage and model both taking and demonstrating responsibility.
• Staying abreast of and adhering to agency policies and procedures.
• Conscious of resources and striving to maximize their use. Acts as a liaison to contracted providers.
• Assist with program management and opportunities to pilot new opportunities.
• Involvement in agency committees, acts as liaison with external services or substitutes for the supervisor on meetings and committees. Attend monthly team leader meetings.

• Strong communication and listening skills within the organization and with the community.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to use various electronic systems and Microsoft programs.
• Ability to document accurately and professionally.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field*andtwo (2) years of professional child welfare casework experience.

OR

A Master of Social Work or a human behavioral science field*andone (1) year of professional child welfare experience.

* In order to meet the minimum educational requirements of a human behavioral science degree, the applicant must have a degree with major course work (equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours) in either development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures or therapeutic techniques such as social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and child development.

Categorically Eligible Degrees:
For the purposes of meeting minimum educational requirements, the following degrees obtained from an accredited university will be considered "categorically eligible," meaning no review of transcripts is required - Bachelor of Arts and/or Master of Arts degree in the following areas of study: psychology, sociology, social work, counseling, child development.

Areas of study that will be considered to meet the minimum educational requirements as outlined in Volume VII:

1. Psychology
2. Sociology
3. Social Work
4. Counseling
5. Child Development
6. Criminal Justice courses relevant to child welfare: This includes courses covering topics in juvenile justice, family law, family conflict, general court procedures, interviewing techniques, dispute resolution, and mediation.
7. Foreign language courses
8. Anthropology courses relevant to cultural development and history, linguistic development, and communications. Physical anthropology courses do not count toward minimum requirements.
9. History courses relevant to family and cultural development

• Three (3) years of child welfare social casework experience.

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 appointment.

• Will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.
• Completion of supervisory academy and obtaining state certification.

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

• Spends 30% of the time sitting and 70% 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.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.

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.