Childrens Services Worker (Intake Worker After Hours) (3345-12)

Job Duties (Summary)

• Responds in the field in accordance with the priority of the report and mandated time frames.
• Conducts face to face interviews with all children in the household of assessment, parent/caregiver(s) and alleged maltreater(s) to make a decision regarding child safety.
• Completes intake assessment of reports alleging child maltreatment by telephone and/or face-to-face contact.
• Collects sufficient information regarding the alleged maltreatment, surrounding circumstances, adult and child functioning, parenting practices and discipline.
• Utilizes interpersonal skills to professionally and respectfully engage each individual in sharing behaviorally-specific and detailed information.
• Researches previous agency history, criminal history, court involvement and other applicable information providing a comprehensive summary for all individuals associated with report.
• Maintain written documentation of assessment activities.
• Clinically evaluates information obtained creating a screening recommendation by identifying the presence or absence of Present or Impending Danger threats or alleged maltreatment and/or a need for agency involvement.
• Review presence or absence of safety threat(s) in consultation with Intake Supervisor.
• Implement necessary safety intervention when applicable.
• Prepares Request for Legal Action and provides court testimony.
• Completes appropriate jurisdictional referrals to other Public Child Welfare agencies or law enforcement agencies as required.
• Participates in required Unit Meetings and Agency Trainings as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of: ORC/OAC as relevant to Children’s Services Practice, Intake & Screening Policy and Procedure; office practices and procedures; agency policies and procedures; government structure and process; interviewing; child welfare practices and procedures; safety decision making.
• Skill in: Strength based approach when engaging children and families; interpretation and application of training, instructional and procedural materials; professionally handling crisis and stressful situations.
• Ability to: Professionally and respectfully communicate, analyze and draw conclusion from informed information collection, understand manuals and verbal instructions technical in nature; prepare meaningful, concise and accurate written reports; handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with officials and general public; maintain confidentiality, work cooperatively with other agency staff and supervisors.

Physical and/or Mental Requirements

• Lift and carry children, child car seats, and/or infant carrier;
• Frequently walk to and from court;
• Frequently climbing and descending stairs;
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time;
• Frequently stoop, bend, crouch;
• Frequently lift and carry large case files and occasionally push a cart containing case files.

Hazardous and/or Working Conditions

• Potentially hazardous/dangerous situations which could involve upset/violent clients;
• Animals or insects in family homes;
• This position requires some tasks that must be completed in the HCJFS offices, in court, or in the field;
• It is not eligible for full-time telework.