Assessment Caseworker

Athens County Children Services

Protecting Children, Strengthening Families, Securing Futures

POSITION: Assessment Caseworker (posting #142123)
SALARY: Starting at $39,520/year, commensurate with experience

Provides assessment, crisis intervention, referral for services involving child abuse, neglect, and dependency reports, and provide on-going casework services for an assigned case load of families and children.

FULL-TIME positions, 40-hours per work week

Excellent Benefits Include:

• $1,000 Sign-On Bonus*
• Medical, dental, and vision insurances
• Paid $30,000 life insurance policy
• OPERS (Ohio Public Employees Retirement System)
• 12 paid holidays
• 2 weeks paid vacation time
• Possibility of vacation cash out
• Possibility of hybrid work environment
• Monthly phone stipend reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Achieve Civil Servant status after 180-day probationary period

Required Qualifications 

Associate’s degree in human services related studies or 5+ years of employment in human services related occupation
Valid driver’s license and Ohio Revised Code (ORC) compliant auto insurance
Candidate must pass a comprehensive background assessment

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related degree
Licensed Social Worker
Knowledge of local services
Child protective services experience

APPLY on our website:
Employment Opportunities – Athens County Children Services (athenschildrenservices.com)

*Sign on bonuses of $1,000 will be issued to new employee hired after 9/30/2022 in any permanent front line caseworker position with payment as follows: $1,000 on first full payroll after hire, with a required signed agreement noting repayment by the employee if the employee leaves the agency prior to the end of a 180 day probation.

**Applications accepted until ALL positions filled.**

ACCS is an EEO & Trauma Informed Employer.

**FULL JOB DESCRIPTION**

General Position Description

To be responsible for providing assessment, crisis intervention and referral for services involving child abuse, neglect, and dependency reports. To provide on-going casework services for an assigned case load of families and children.

Reports To

Assessment Unit Supervisor

Employment Status

This is a full-time position working 40-hours per work week, regularly scheduled within the hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm., Monday thru Friday, except legal holidays, with flexibility of early morning and evening hours as needed to complete job responsibilities. Some weekend work may be required. The supervisor may require the worker to utilize an Alternative Work Site.

Principal Responsibilities 

1) Provide Case Management Services

Prepares written service or case plans which include timelines goals and objectives and effectively uses the case plan to guide casework activities.
Form and maintain positive relationships and good rapport with family and service providers.
Maintains regular parent, child, and collateral contacts in keeping with agency and ODJFS standards.
Assist family in linking with community providers, support persons and community resources.
Refer victims and families to the Athens County Victim Assistance Program and Child Advocacy Center.
Coordinate investigation with local law enforcement professionals.
Intervene in crises situations.
Refer child for any necessary medical exams.
Demonstrates knowledge of placement resources and their appropriate use.
Provide effective supportive services and case management services to substitute caregivers aimed at preventing disruption and maintaining placement.
Request involvement of substitute caregivers in case planning and case reviews.
Complete Interview Summary for all court involved abuse and sexual abuse cases.
Complete necessary documentation for the prosecution of offenders.
Attend meetings inside and outside of the agency addressing service needs of the family.
Refer child and family to needed community resources.
Open cases for ongoing family services or Alternative Response in the agency.
Request and participate in agency case reviews and/or family team meetings.
Prepares reports, referrals, and other required documents accurately, completely and within established time frames.
Prepares dictation, summaries and letters which are clear, logical, complete, and timely.
Obtain releases of information as necessary.
Make daily updates to SACWIS.
Maintain all written documentation current within two weeks of case activity.
Provide on-call agency service for afterhours coverage as determined by the on-call rotation.
Participate in office coverage for the team.
Participate in screening meetings.

2) Perform Assessments

Receive, investigate, and assess reports regarding children who may be at risk of abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or dependency.
Assess the need to remove at risk children.
Use preventative measures to alleviate trauma of separation of child and family.
Evaluate relatives or significant others for placement needs of the child.
Follow agency procedures for selecting outside placement resource. (i.e. emergency on-call foster home, group home, regular or therapeutic foster care homes)
Complete all needed paperwork for placement and makes required visits to substitute caregivers and child. Complete assessments within time frames established by agency policy or ODJFS rule.
Interview all principals of a case.
Make needed contacts with collateral persons and witnesses in all cases.
Accurately assess family dynamics and situations.
Complete case resolution and case dispositions based on all pertinent information.
Complete safety and family assessments to determine risk level.

3) Present Information

• Gather relevant evidence pertaining to complaint and interviews witnesses. (i.e., physicians, law enforcement, psychologists)
• Consult with Assistant Prosecuting Attorney as needed.
• File complaints and notify parents of emergency hearings.
• Provide testimony in court under oath.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the court system, procedures, legal requirements, terminology, and protocol for providing professional witness testimony.
• Provide a listing of potential witnesses to the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney as needed.
• Cooperates with the assigned prosecuting attorney on the prosecution of felony and misdemeanor charges regarding child maltreatment

4) Collaborate and Coordinate with Multiple Stakeholders

• Identify individuals who may have knowledge or are currently working with the child or family.
• Gather needed information from involved individuals and professionals.
• Utilize information to assist in making assessment on the case.
• Coordinate services with other community providers.
• Collaborate with ACCS staff when conducting abuse investigations on cases already open for family services.
• Share case information with Athens County Children Services (ACCS) employees and other individuals as appropriate.
• Maintain contact with Guardian ad Litem and parties to the case.
• Displays professional behavior and ethics
• Maintain confidentiality of cases within the agency.
• Maintain a professional appearance as required by the agency dress code.
• Maintain professional conduct and manner within and outside the agency and when interacting with difficult clients.
• Give training and presentations upon request within the community.

5) Utilize Appropriate Supervision

• Regularly meet with supervisor as scheduled to share, consult, discuss work management, case activity, case direction, issues, and questions.
• Discuss case dispositions and resolutions prior to entering into data systems.
• Meet with supervisor prior to case closing.
• Show balance between over-dependence on supervisor and independence in decision making.
• Utilize supervision during crisis situations and/or prior to removal of children from their homes.
• Prepare an individualized training plan along with supervisor and show ability to evaluate own practice.
• Participate in and contribute to agency meetings, discussions, and conferences.
• Discuss information entered into data systems and monitored for quality and compliance.
• Attend staff meetings and required in-service training.
• Develop intervention and action plans for families to share during the conference.
• Keep supervisor informed of critical issues that may arise between scheduled conferences.
• Remain open to learning from the clients and understanding cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, and life-style differences.
• Attend trainings or seminars focused on abuse and sexual abuse investigations or prosecutions.
  Other Duties and Responsibilities

This position requires that the Caseworker be flexible in performing infrequent duties, not already listed, which are necessary to support the mission of the agency.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of trauma in its various forms and how it impacts a parent’s perception of services, use of resources, ability to interact with agency staff, parent-child visitation, and other service providers.
Ability to maintain relations with other social agencies, public officials, and general public.
Knowledge of child development and the effects of abuse and neglect.
General knowledge of parenting skills and appropriate disciplining techniques.
Knowledge of child behavior patterns and environmental factors.
Awareness of local cultural norms and values.
Proficiency in interviewing skills, listening, and obtaining information.
Ability to gather knowledge of family’s strengths and concerns and problem identification.
Evaluation and assessment of family dynamics and child safety.
Knowledge of social work methods, techniques, and applications.
Knowledge of legal requirements, terminology, and court procedures.
Time management and organizational skills.
Effective written and verbal skills.
Ability to handle high levels of stress.
Demonstrate knowledge of crisis-intervention and mediation skills.
Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, standards and ODJFS rules.
Effective engagement and communication skills.
Knowledge of community resources for employment, education, housing, health care, mental health and community supports.
General knowledge of educational testing tools, specialized academic placements, student rights.
Ability to prioritize and follow case activities which expedite case movement through the system
General knowledge of medical terminology.
Knowledge of current ORC laws and local court procedures.
Ability to prepare accurate and informative social case records.
Basic knowledge of child welfare practice and goals.
Ability to work independently, with a team, and with supervision.
Knowledge of the Ohio’s legal definitions of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, dependency, and endangerment.
Knowledge of the need to maintain regarding the agency’s caseload.
Knowledge of assessment /investigation procedures and possess effective investigative skills.
Ability to gather information through interviews and the use of assessment tools.
Ability to work with families in their own home and providing services as to where the family “is at” respecting the family at that level, using your skills and resources to move the family to a level of functioning that they can manage on their own.
Knowledge of the impact of drugs on individuals and families and methods of intervention.
Ability to break down information in incremental steps through discussion and demonstration and share this with the family.
Ability to develop relationships with families and support staff.
Ability to work with the public.
Knowledge of permanency planning issues, theories, and principles.
Apply ethical standard as established by the NASW.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet program goals, responsibilities, and deadlines.

Equipment Operated

Computer, Multi-line telephone system, cellular telephone, copier, and scanner and an electronic tablet.

Physically Demanding and Hazardous Working Conditions Inherent in This Job Description

The physical demands and hazardous working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is almost continuously required to sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee may continuously repeat the same hand, arm, or finger motion many times as in typing. The position frequently requires non-stop typing on the computer. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds, such as files or computer reports. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet deadlines with time constraints and to interact with the public and other workers.

The employee will encounter irate or upset individuals.

The employee will encounter persons with limited social skills, limited reading and writing skills or unsanitary environments. It is not uncommon to work with individuals who are addicted to one or more drugs.

Workplace Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is acceptable to this environment. However, the noise level can vary depending upon daily activity but will remain within the acceptable noise level range. The employee continuously is interacting with the public and staff. The employee will be required to meet multiple demands from several people.

Required Training

The Caseworker is to attend all required Core training within the first year of employment. An additional 12 hours of domestic violence training is required in the first two years. ACCS staff are to attend safety training as offered by the RTC and any other agency scheduled training. Caseworkers are expected to upgrade knowledge and skills through advanced training as recommended by their supervisors.

Caseworkers are expected to use computer programs including Microsoft Suite, SACWIS, Traverse, HRIS, travel reimbursement software, cloud-based communication systems, and any other computer programming that will be utilized by the agency in the future. Orientation to these programs will be provided by the agency.

General Conditions of Employment

Other conditions of employment as explained in the Agency Policy Manual.