Lead Worker (Caseworker Specialist I)

Full-time, hybrid position located in Blanding, Utah. Background check and valid Utah driver’s license required.

About the Role

Advance your career in social work while continuing to be an integral part of a team working together to achieve safety, well-being, and permanency for abused or neglected children, and strengthening families in our communities. As a Lead Worker (Caseworker Specialist I), you will assess the needs of children, youth, and families, facilitate meaningful change, and assist your supervisor in mentoring team members.

Responsibilities

• Mentorship & Coaching: Assist and/or mentor team members with coordinating services with the court, community partners, placement providers, and other collateral agencies. Coach team members in assessing and documenting client needs and developing and implementing service plans.
• Case Management: Manage a caseload of CPS, Ongoing, and/or Home-based cases. Write detailed case documentation including investigation summaries, child and family assessments, service plans, risk assessments, social summaries, activity logs, and case histories.
• Supervisory Support: Assist the supervisor in providing consultation, case staffing, and assessing needs for ongoing agency involvement. Provide input on performance evaluations and disciplinary actions occasionally.
• On-Call Demands: Perform 24-hour on-call services as needed under supervisor's direction (subject to geographic employment location and/or agency demand).

Requirements

• Possess a valid Utah driver’s license.
• Proven ability to interact professionally with all levels of management, manage a diversified workload, and handle challenging situations.
• Strong working knowledge of all aspects of SAFE, community/agency resources, and applicable child welfare laws, rules, regulations, and Practice Guidelines.
• Must be able to stand, walk over rough surfaces, bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, and lift moderately heavy items up to 50 lbs (such as recurrently lifting or carrying a child).

Preferred Qualifications

• Active status as a current Utah Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) employee.
• An active and in good standing Social Service Worker (SSW) license or higher mental health licensure in the State of Utah (such as CSW, LCSW, LPC, or LMFT).
• Three or more years of professional work experience with the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) if no SSW license is held.
• Active, working knowledge of core program areas such as CPS, foster care, and home-based services.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Family & Human Development, Criminal Justice, Gerontology, or a closely related field.

Working Conditions

This position involves exposure to risks and environmental stressors found in potentially dangerous or unusual situations, including:

• Entering clients' homes.
• Working around contagious diseases/infestations (e.g., head lice, bed bugs, scabies).
• Exposure to chemicals/illegal substances.
• Possible physical or verbal attack.

Benefits

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.
• Work/Life Balance: Great health benefits, retirement plans, generous paid time off, and a balanced work schedule to afford quality time with family.

About the Agency

The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) works to keep children safe from abuse, neglect, and dependency, protect adults from domestic violence, and strengthen families. For more information about DCFS, visit their website.