Family Services Caseworker

Athens County Children Services

Protecting Children, Serving Families, Securing Futures

POSITION: Family Services Caseworker (posting #142072)

SALARY: $19.00 – $22.33/hr., commensurate with experience

The Family Services Caseworker provides intervention casework, support, and service coordination for families at risk of child abuse and/or neglect. Families may voluntarily seek services or are court ordered. . This position will require the worker to work with parents who have experienced their own childhood trauma that may have involved domestic violence, mental illness, poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, or physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect. This position may also require the worker to operate in environments that are isolated or potentially unsafe due to potential criminal activity such as drug dealing. Caseworkers may be exposed to angry or hostile clients.

This is a full‑time position working 40-hours per work week regularly scheduled within the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday, except legal holidays, with flexibility of early morning or evening hours as needed to complete job responsibilities. It is not uncommon for workers in this unit to work late hours. Some weekend work may be required. The supervisor may expect the worker to use an Alternative Work Site.

Excellent Benefits Include:

*$1000 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

*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.

APPLY on our website:

Employment Opportunities – Athens County Children Services (athenschildrenservices.com)

**Applications accepted until ALL positions filled.**

ACCS is an EEO & Trauma Informed Employer.

FULL-JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Definition

The Family Services Caseworker provides intervention casework, support, and service coordination for families at risk of child abuse and/or neglect. Families may voluntarily seek services or are court ordered. . This position will require the worker to work with parents who have experienced their own childhood trauma that may have involved domestic violence, mental illness, poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, or physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect. This position may also require the worker to operate in environments that are isolated or potentially unsafe due to potential criminal activity such as drug dealing. Caseworkers may be exposed to angry or hostile clients.

Reports To

Family Services Supervisor

Employment Status

This is a full‑time position working 40-hours per work week regularly scheduled within the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday, except legal holidays, with flexibility of early morning or evening hours as needed to complete job responsibilities. It is not uncommon for workers in this unit to work late hours. Some weekend work may be required. The supervisor may expect the worker to use an Alternative Work Site.

Principal Responsibilities

1) Perform Case Management Services

a) Prepare written case plans and effectively use the case plan to guide casework activities.

b) Intervene in crisis situations and provides conflict resolution and mediation services to the adolescent and family.

c) Maintain regular parent, child, foster parent, and collateral contacts in keeping with agency and ODJFS standards.

d) Arrange or provide support and transportation services needed by clients to comply with case plan.

e) Assist family in linking with community providers, support persons and community resources.

f) Attend meetings inside and outside of the agency addressing and assessing service needs of the youth and family.

g) Form and maintain positive, supportive relationships and good rapport with family served.

h) Work with the visitation center to arrange visitation between children, parents, and siblings.

i) Maintain confidentiality with case materials and case information.

j) Maintain professional appearance as required by agency dress code.

k) Maintain professional conduct and manner within, and outside the agency and when interacting with difficult clients.

l) Maintain an awareness of own values and their impact on practice.

m) Demonstrate a cooperative effort within the unit, the agency, and outside agencies.

n) Show effective use of time and resources.

 

2) Perform Assessments

a) Follow agency procedures for making child placements.

b) Complete all required placement paperwork.

c) Make required visits to substitute caregivers and child.

d) Demonstrates knowledge and practice of permanency planning philosophy and goals.

e) Maintain record and update all health information on all foster children and provide for regular preventative health care.

f) Provide effective supportive services and case management services to substitute caregivers aimed at preventing disruption and maintaining placement.

g) Assess the need to remove at-risk children and consult with supervisor.

h) Assess parent/child dynamics regarding the readiness for reunification.

i) Use preventative measures/assessments to identify and minimize trauma of separation of child and family.

j) Identify and evaluate relatives or significant others for placement needs of the child

k) Complete assessments within time frames established by agency policy or ODJFS rule.

l) Accurately assess family dynamics and individual situations regarding child safety and risk level.

m) Complete safety and unit family assessments to determine risk level when required.

 

3) Present Information

a) Prepare reports such as, court progress reports, child studies, case plans and amendments, referrals, and other required documents accurately, completely and within required time frames.

b) Prepare dictation, summaries and letters which are clearly written, complete and timely.

c) Obtain releases of information as necessary.

d) Obtain information related to the case from service providers and law enforcement.

e) Make daily updates to SACWIS.

f) Gather relevant evidence pertaining to complaint and secure necessary documentation.

g) Consult with supervisor and assistant prosecuting attorney regarding potential filings.

h) Work with legal to draft and file complaints and notify parents of emergency hearings.

i) Provide testimony in court under oath.

j) Maintain regular contact with Guardian ad Litem/CASA and parties to the case-on-case plan compliance and reunification efforts.

k) Caseworker demonstrates knowledge of dispositional alternatives and best practices.

 

4) Collaborate and Coordinate with Multiple Stakeholders

a) Form and maintain positive, supportive relationship and good rapport with family served.

b) Collaborate with professionals inside and outside of the agency addressing family needs or resource development.

c) Request involvement of substitute caregivers in case planning and case reviews.

d) Maintain regular contact with foster or kinship parents regarding child’s well-being, school progress, appointments, visitation, etc.

e) Remain open to learning from the client and understanding cultural, ethnic, sexual, and life-style differences.

f) Remain open to understanding how trauma can impact a parent’s participation in services and collaborate with service providers to identify the services that would best meet the needs of parents.

g) Attend required training within the first year of employment, unit trainings and the required number of in-service trainings thereafter.

 

5) Utilize Appropriate Supervision

a) Meet with supervisor regularly (bi-weekly) as scheduled to discuss work management, case direction, issues, and questions.

b) Share records, letters, case information with supervisor.

c) Ensure that supervisor is informed of decisions made independently. Present cases for review to supervisor on a regular basis.

d) Consult with supervisor on a regular basis regarding the assigned caseload or projects.

e) Share all records and casework activity with supervisor.

f) Discuss case dispositions and resolutions prior to entering into data systems.

g) Show balance between regular consultation with the supervisor and independence in decision making.

h) Utilize supervision during crisis situations and/or prior to removal of children from their homes.

i) Prepare an individualized training plan along with supervisor and show ability to evaluate own practice.

j) Participate in and contribute to agency meetings, discussions, and conferences.

k) Attend staff meetings and team meetings

l) Consult with supervisor and assistant prosecuting attorney when determining if court action is necessary.

m) Keep supervisor informed of critical issues that may arise between scheduled conferences.

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.
• 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.
• Effective engagement and communication skills.
• Knowledge of community resources for employment, education, housing, health care, mental health and community supports.
• 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, fax and scanner, and an electronic tablet.