Social Worker-Children and Family Intake (Internal only)

This posting is open only to Dakota County Government employees.

About the role

Child and Family Intake Social Workers are responsible for the receipt, documentation, and screening of all alleged child maltreatment reports in Dakota County. Intake Social Workers also have substantial knowledge of various services throughout the county and take referrals for children's mental health, the Parent Support Outreach Program, and child welfare services. Working hours may require some weekend and holiday screening hours to ensure timely screening of child protection concerns.

Responsibilities

• Gather information and evaluate whether reports of abuse or neglect meet statutory criteria for assignment to child protection, and if so, the type and timeframe of response indicated by the report.
• Engage families, individuals, and professionals to assess and evaluate concerns and resources of families potentially needing services, including safety and risk.
• Conduct effective interviews with people seeking services for themselves or others in order to discern the appropriateness of referrals for county services and specific community resources to meet needs.
• Provide immediate response and direction in crisis situations to address imminent safety concerns for children, families, and community. Establish an immediate safety plan for children to maximize their safety.
• Determine eligibility for voluntary county social services addressing family and child needs (children's mental health, child welfare, Parent Support Outreach Program).
• Arrange and coordinate access to direct services and advocacy for children and families.
• Educate agency and community stakeholders on county services for children and families and mobilize partners in opportunities for integrated service responses across agencies.
• Communicate with other departments, law enforcement, the County Attorney's Office, and Minnesota departments as indicated by the nature of reports encountered in intake to ensure effective multiagency responses and operational decisions.
• Complete all agency, state, and federal required documentation related to intake work in the manner directed and according to mandated timelines.
• Demonstrate a commitment to support cultural diversity County wide, actively support the County's diversity initiatives, and work to address the needs of diverse and underserved communities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services field.
• One year full-time professional experience in a social services agency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services.
• Previous experience in Minnesota child protection strongly preferred.
• Experience in screening and assessment in a Social Service program area.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of community resources, county services, and funding sources.
• Interviewing, negotiation, and listening skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of child and human development, family dynamics and systems, including crisis management, cultural competency, and the impact of traumatic experiences.
• Skill in conveying critical information accurately, completely, and concisely in writing.
• Basic knowledge of medical diagnoses, medications, and basic medical terminology, as well as basic medical insurance processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of statutes, rules, and policies pertaining to social work and core job functions, especially maltreatment of minors and children's mental health.
• Ability to navigate multiple information systems (SSIS, MGA, Shared Master Index, MAXIS, OnBase, et cetera).
• Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a hybrid model at this time, both remotely and in County office buildings. Some travel may be required. Lifting equipment of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, printer, telephone, calculator, and copy and fax machines.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year).
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday.
• Pension with a generous employer contribution.
• Ability to work from home some of the time.

Pay

Grade 108 salary range.

Schedule

Full-time. Hybrid; mix of telework and in-person at the Western Service Center, Apple Valley.