Social Worker

About the role

This is an advanced-level position requiring knowledge of the theories, principles, and concepts of social casework practice (assessment and treatment oriented) related to all assigned program areas, including child and adult protection services.

Responsibilities

• Conducts investigations of alleged abuse, exploitation, neglect, and parent-conflicts; determines if situation warrants placing children outside the home; supervises placement of children in foster care and coordinates parent/child visits; and determines when and if to recommend that children return to the home.
• Conducts investigations into allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation involving adults and elders.
• Ensures familiarity with ICWA Federal Law and its implementation; communicates with referring entities and Tribal Information Services to ensure proper handling of ICWA cases and appropriate placement of Native children.
• Develops effective case plans and provides counseling services to families regarding parenting skills, family problems, parent-child relationships, and community-related issues.
• Assesses new child abuse, adult abuse, or re-abuse complaints and provides crisis intervention in these situations.
• Provides intake assessment and evaluation, ongoing case management services for conservatorship and guardianship cases, and treatment planning for adults unable to protect their own interests, family conflict, and youth-in-conflict cases.
• Determines the need for out-of-home placements of clients into foster care, kinship, or treatment; locates placements appropriate to client’s needs and monitors client’s progress.
• Makes home visits with clients, organizes services such as home care, day care, financial assistance, health (medical, physical, and mental), legal, and provides information on available services.
• Investigates high-risk, complex, and neglect cases; provides expert witness and court testimony; participates in ongoing court review.
• Coordinates services with the Foster Care Program Coordinator and may provide ancillary services such as recruitment of foster and day care homes, placement of clients, and monitoring quality of care in homes.
• Coordinates investigation of cases and provides technical expertise regarding investigation and court testimony.
• Actively collaborates with other Social Services staff and Tribal Court personnel to create and provide quality services.
• Develops, composes, and prepares reports for appropriate documentation of case plans, recommendations, contacts, assessments, etc.; creates intake forms, completes forms, and prepares correspondence.
• Assumes 24-hour on-call duties with other staff.
• Performs duties and responsibilities in a professional and ethical manner, maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
• Seeks and engages in continuing education to maintain required certifications, licenses, and professional knowledge.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, or related field and 2 years of experience in a social services/case management capacity OR MA/MS in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Advanced knowledge of the theories, principles, and concepts of social casework practice (assessment and treatment oriented) related to all assigned program areas.
• Knowledge of social group work principles and methods; medical symptoms related to injuries or failure to thrive in children; battered child syndrome; and laws dealing with child abuse, neglect, and other dependency conditions.
• Knowledge related to persons with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities as well as alcohol and other addiction issues.
• Knowledge of and experience with motivational interviewing techniques, crisis intervention methods, and relevant treatment modalities.
• Familiarity with available social services resources and organizations.
• Working knowledge of software programs including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Valid driver license for state of residency and insurable under Tribal vehicle insurance policy.
• Must pass a thorough background check including Criminal History and fingerprint check.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Preferred: TERO preference.