Children Services Intake Investigator

Children Services Intake Investigator

The primary focus of child protective services is safety for the child. This role involves conducting thorough investigations to ensure child safety, assessing situations involving children and families, and providing support to those in crisis. To meet this objective, the emphasis is on improving parenting skills, mental health and substance abuse counseling, domestic violence services, child development, and basic living skills such as housing, finances, and transportation.

Position: Children Services Intake Investigator

Benefits:

• 12+ Paid Holidays
• Immediate Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Coverage
• Access to County Vehicles for Work Purposes
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Plan with Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
• Discounts at Select Local Businesses
• Student Loan Forgiveness

Job Duties:

• Investigate Allegations of Child Abuse and/or Neglect
• Interview Both Adults and Children Regarding Allegations
• Gather Information Pertinent to the Safety of the Child
• Ensure Child Safety, which will include Removing Children from their Homes
• De-escalate Conflict
• Make Assertive Decisions for the Safety of the Child
• Develop and Maintain Strong Relationships with Families
• Significant Time Spent in the Field Completing Home Visits
• Refer Families to Community Resources
• Maintain Factual and Accurate Records
• Work Closely with Law Enforcement, the Court System, and Other Professionals
• Demonstrate Skillful Verbal Communication
• Provide Court Testimony
• Prepare Cases for Administrative or Judicial Procedures
• Display Strong Organization and Time Management Skills
• Prepare Written Documents, such as Safety Plans, Assessments, and Court Complaints
• Meet State Mandates and Other Established Deadlines
• Serve as On-Call Worker on Rotating Basis (Additional Pay Provided)

Wage: Starting at $20.45/hour

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human services-related studies
• OR bachelor's degree in any field and have been employed for at least two years in a human services occupation
• OR associate's degree in human services-related studies
• OR been employed for at least five years in a human services-related occupation
• For employment to continue, a person described in option 2, 3, or 4 above must obtain a job-related bachelor's degree not later than five years after the date of employment with the agency commences.
• Note: All liability and responsibility for determining "human services-related studies" or "human services-related occupation" rests with the employing agency.
• Per section 5153.122 of the Ohio Revised Code, each caseworker shall complete at least ninety hours of in-service training during the first year of the caseworker's continuous employment, consisting of courses in recognizing and preventing child abuse and neglect, assessing risks, interviewing persons, investigating cases, intervening, providing services to children and their families, and other topics relevant to child abuse and neglect. After the first year of continuous employment, each caseworker annually shall complete thirty-six hours of training in areas relevant to the caseworker's assigned duties.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be insurable under county insurance policy.

Unusual Working Conditions: This position possesses responsibility for the safety of children or adults by requiring the incumbent to make determinations as to whether these children or adults are in an "imminent risk of harm." These children and adults are incapable of protecting themselves from physical, mental, and/or sexual abuse. Injuries, if they do occur, are likely to involve temporary disabilities such as bruises or cuts.