Child Welfare Placement Worker

About the Role

These positions perform Home Finding services in the area of child welfare services. They recruit, locate, and evaluate prospective kinship and resource care homes; train new and active home providers; conduct periodic reviews of providers and initiate corrective action plans when needed. The role involves interaction with social work, mental health, court, and legal professionals, extensive written documentation of casework, frequent travel using a personal vehicle, and may require after‑hours and weekend emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Attend ongoing training to develop comprehensive knowledge of state and federal social welfare laws, rules, regulations, and evolving protocols regarding child abuse and neglect.
• Conduct interviews to identify safe placement options for victims of abuse or neglect by talking with and visually observing prospective providers, their homes, or facilities.
• Assess prospective placement candidates using established guidelines to determine if the children’s needs can be met under current requirements.
• Complete reviews of care providers to determine dynamics and problems that may have arisen since placement.
• Develop effective communication with new home providers that addresses safety, well‑being, and permanency of children.
• Attend court hearings, testify before the court, and make appropriate placements of children, including stays with relatives, foster homes, or residential treatment facilities.
• Evaluate the progress of families or living environments toward meeting objectives of safety, service, or treatment plans, determine the need to modify plans, and assess the eventual disposition of cases.
• Perform related work as required.
• Overtime hours and frequent travel may be required.
• Successful completion of a background check is required for employment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: None required.
• Special Requirements:
  • Valid West Virginia driver’s license and reliable personal transportation.
  • Accessibility to a phone.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to maintain detailed case records and extensive documentation.
  • Background check clearance.
  • At the appointing agency’s discretion, competitive applicants may receive a probationary appointment pending verification of qualifying training, examination, or certification.

Location

Counties of work: Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Marion, Monongalia, Ohio, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties (West Virginia).

About the Organization

The Bureau for Social Services champions the security, permanence, and welfare of children and vulnerable adults, empowering individuals and strengthening families. Formerly the Bureau for Children and Families, it operates under the West Virginia Department of Human Services, serving children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults facing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Workers receive extensive training to handle delicate situations with compassion and dignity, facilitating access to healthcare, essential social services, and benefits, and fostering safe, supportive, and healthy environments for at‑risk populations.