Childrens Services Worker (Childrens Services Caseworker) (4641-12)

About the role

Be part of our Team! We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a second-chance employer and a recovery friendly workplace.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of the team responsible for ensuring children are safe.
• Supports children and families by keeping children safe and advocating for families.
• Completes assessments of child safety in response to Intake Reports of physical and sexual abuse, neglect and dependency within mandated timeframes and in accordance with federal, state and agency policy.
• Conducts and engages in face-to-face interviews with all children in the household of assessment, parent(s)/caregiver(s), and alleged maltreater(s) to make continuous decisions regarding child safety.
• Controls for child safety immediately when a child is determined unsafe by confirmation of Present or Impending Danger Safety Threats; Completes Safety Plan Analysis questions to determine least restrictive safety plan that is able to control for specific family circumstance and conditions; Confirms Safe Environment for all out of home safety plans and placements; Works with specialized staff to access appropriate placements and prepare children and families for placement; discusses and partners with family to develop case plan specific to increasing their protective capacities and decreasing active safety threats in home; completes necessary referrals.
• Maintains regular contact with supportive service providers to ensure coordination and effectiveness of services; ensures frequent and ongoing contact for parent/child parenting time; visits regularly with parent/caregivers and child(ren), including assessment of safety at every visit, per agency policies and required state standards; continues ongoing monitoring of case progression until the case is transferred or closed; completes necessary paperwork and SACWIS functions to transfer or close case as appropriate and deemed necessary for case progression.
• Completes necessary paperwork and documentation on a timely basis for case activities, which shall include but is not limited to: case reviews, safety assessments, case plans, placements, court reports, court complaints, SACWIS activity notes and placement changes.
• Demonstrates proficiency in mobile technology to aid in maintaining written documentation of assessment activities within required time frames including but not limited to: Safety and Family Assessments, Activity Logs, and Present Danger and Impending Danger Safety Plans.
• Reviews prior agency history completes background and criminal checks on parent(s) and alternative caretaker(s).
• Maintains Children’s Services File.
• Consults with Hamilton County Prosecutors Office, executes requests for legal actions, testifies to and demonstrates support of agency’s position regarding case, and prepares for, attends, and participates in necessary court hearings.
• Attends conferences, reviews, supervision and training (these activities may include family conferences; transfer conferences; semi-annual reviews; individual and group supervision sessions; section and staff meetings, relevant training, etc.).
• Participates in organizational improvement projects, strategic planning meetings, and practice advancement efforts as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Attends conferences and training.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human services-related field or Bachelor’s degree in any field and has two (2) years’ work experience in a human service-related occupation.
• A bachelor's or master's in a human services-related field would be required within 5 years.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued in the state of residency. Must have the use of an insured automobile.
• A criminal records check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the FBI is required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: ORC/OAC as relevant to Children’s Services Practice*, Assessment and Children’s Services Policy and Procedure*, Hamilton County Policy and Procedures*, government structure and process*
• Skills in: Family centered, strength-based approach when engaging children and families; interpretation and application of training, instructional and procedural materials; professionally handling crisis and stressful situations; adaptable/flexible, strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to think critically and problem-solve.
• Ability to: Professionally and respectfully communicate, work independently or autonomously on most tasks, clinically analyze and draw conclusions from information collection; understand written and verbal instructions; prepare concise and accurate written documents and reports; maintain confidentiality, work cooperatively with other agency staff, supervisors and administrators, external professionals and partners; develop good rapport with families and children.

Skills

• Knowledge of: ORC/OAC as relevant to Children’s Services Practice*
• Assessment and Children’s Services Policy and Procedure*
• Hamilton County Policy and Procedures*
• Knowledge of government structure and process*
• Interviewing, trauma informed practices, case management, child welfare practices and procedures*
• Skill in: Family centered, strength-based approach when engaging children and families*
• Interpretation and application of training, instructional and procedural materials*
• Professionally handling crisis and stressful situations*
• Adaptable/flexible, strong written and verbal communication skills*
• Ability to think critically and problem-solve*

Benefits

Highly Competitive Employee Benefits Package and Generous Paid Time Off 11 Paid Holidays, Immediately Begin with 40 hours Paid Vacation if No Prior Service. Ohio Public Employee Retirement System which includes 14% Employer Contribution AND a defined benefit option. Highly Competitive and Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, HRA, Dental, Vision, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Parental Leave, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility, Commuter Stipend or Free On-Site Parking, Wellness Incentives, robust Employee Assistance Program, access to Free Medical and Rx through Marathon Health, plus expansive Behavioral and Mental Health Resources, and More!

Pay

Starting Hourly Base Pay: $26.52

Schedule

Hybrid work schedule

Location

Job & Family Services
1701 Patricia McCollum Way
Cincinnati, OH 45237