0501_human Services Professional - Child Protection/child Welfare

Human Services Program Delivery Services

The first level of the Human Services Program Delivery Services is responsible for performing professional and/or program management duties for significant community programs, support areas or service offerings with significant impact on County operations. Incumbents have appreciable latitude for determining the appropriate actions, decisions, or processes to use due to their professional knowledge and experience. Responsibilities may include drafting internal procedures for assigned programs; planning programs; evaluating the impact of changes in regulation on programs; assisting with program budget; investigating reports of maltreatment of a family member; family safety network planning, safety planning with individuals, completing mental health assessments and reporting the results; assisting clients in determining level of support required; and providing support to clients with mental illnesses to live independently.

Job Responsibilities

Human services professionals are mandated reporters, and this responsibility permeates throughout all job duties. They must assess for, plan for, and monitor health, safety, and well-being, especially among vulnerable adults, youth, and children.

Plans and implements community programs, to include implementing program procedures; monitoring regulations to assess impact on programs; developing program budgets, to include researching funding sources; determining program eligibility; and ensuring compliance with program requirements and applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.

Performs case management duties, to include investigating reports of maltreatment, conducting home visits, completing assessments, scoring, and reporting assessment results, assisting clients with determining the level of support required, developing, and implementing support and crisis intervention plans, coordinating, and providing referral services, and monitoring client progress.

Enters, updates, researches, compiles, reviews, and analyzes information to prepare and maintain reports, plans, applications, records, and other documentation; ensures informational accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.

Coordinates with community groups and other internal and external staff, departments, and/or agencies, and attends meetings, to conduct trainings and provide education, coordinate program services and operations, provide consultation, testify in court, respond to complaints, resolve conflicts, and/or facilitate related departmental operations.

Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Positions assigned to Child Protection may be responsible for:

• Responsible for screening and investigating reports of child abuse or neglect, assessing the safety of children in vulnerable situations, and coordinating interventions to ensure their protection.
• Work closely with families, schools, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to develop and implement plans to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
• Performs highly critical social work duties in involuntary and voluntary child protection cases.
• Performs screening of alleged child maltreatment reports which includes knowledge of MN child maltreatment intake, screening and response path guidelines to determine if the intake statutorily meets criteria to be screened in.
• Evaluates immediate (within 24 hours of receipt of report) and long-term safety through in person contact. Makes home visits to determine needs of individuals and families for services and safety of children, involving frequent travel to client locations, agencies, or provider locations.
• Implements and performs all assessment, investigation and case management requirements, time reporting, documentation and monitoring strict timelines to meet state mandates and the needs of the client. This includes, but is not limited to, SDM tools, maltreatment determinations, assessment closing data, out of home placement plans, child protection plans, child welfare targeted case management plans and safety plans. Ensures best interests have been met, child is in the least restrictive setting and a relative search has been conducted.
• Consults and coordinates with psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, community affiliates, hospitals, attorneys, resource families and schools in connection with case objectives. Cooperates with local law enforcement and correction agencies in child abuse and neglect cases.
• Prepares written and verbal reports and recommendations in connection with court cases and proceedings. Provides expert testimony within court hearing and trials and interpret and implement judicial findings and court orders. As a guardian, act and make decisions that ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of a child when Care, custody and control has been court ordered to the agency.
• Completes continuing education to remain compliant with state and federal position requirements which includes keeping up to date on current research, methods, interventions, cultural inclusion strategies, and innovations in treatment modalities and funding sources. Training on being HIPPA compliant/confidentiality, mandated reporter practices, and evolving technologies.

Education and/or Experience

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field. Two years of related experience or more is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

· Safety assessment with ability to both immediately respond to high safety needs as well as plan and monitor long-term safety planning;

· Critical thinking skills;

· Interview, assessment, engagement, consultation, and evaluation techniques;

· Mental health, disability related and aging principles, current methods, and trends;

· Adult and child protection investigation procedures as per State statute;

· Social services principles and techniques;

· Problem solving techniques;

· Community resources;

· Case management principles and practices;

· Crisis intervention strategies;

· Computers and related software applications;

· Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations;

· Customer service principles;

· Specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment;

· Modern office technology.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

· Providing ongoing client contact and assessments;

· Effective engagement strategies including solution focused interviewing and/or motivational interviewing skills;

· Managing social work caseloads;

· Applying applicable federal and state policies and regulations;

· Identifying and recognizing behaviors associated with child development, complex trauma, mental disorders, learning disabilities, substance abuse, and domestic violence;

· Conducting interventions;

· Managing crisis interventions;

· Safety networking planning and monitoring;

· Recognizing symptoms, signs and side effects of substance use and/or abuse;

· Directing and focusing therapy to address identified problem(s);

· Working with a diverse population with multiple psychological problems;

· Preparing reports;

· Networks with community resources and providers;

· Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications;

· Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class typically require reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally.

Incumbents may be exposed to other environmental conditions, such as, challenging behaviors, imminent danger, and threatening environments; incumbents may also be expected to travel to external locations/organizations.

Additional Information

2026 Salary Information

GRADE LEVEL: UC41

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $66,456.00 - $89,315.20

HOURLY PAY RANGE: $31.95 - $42.94

In addition to competitive starting wages that are based on experience and education Meeker County also offers the following benefits:

· 24-hour vacation bank upon hire for FT employees pro-rated for PT employees

· Paid vacation and sick leave

· 12 Paid holidays

· Retirement pension through MN PERA

· Student Loan Assistance Program

· Tuition Reimbursement

· Employment with Meeker County qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

· Employee Referral Program

· Catastrophic Medical Leave Program

· Employee Recognition Program

· $20,000 Basic Life Insurance at no-cost to eligible employees

· County contribution towards Health Savings Accounts

· Medical Insurance

· Spending Accounts (HSA, VEBA & FSA)

· Dental Insurance

· Life Insurance

· Short Term Disability