Children’s Services Worker (Ohio START Caseworker) (4386-12)

Be part of our Team! We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a second-chance employer and a recovery friendly workplace.

Are you interested in serving our community and helping to protect our county’s most vulnerable children?  At Hamilton County Children’s Services, this is what we do every day.  We are looking for compassionate, tenacious workers who are dedicated to ensuring children are safe.

Want to learn more about what a caseworker does?   https://www.hcjfs.org/work-here/you-belong-here/

You will support children and families by keeping children safe and advocating for families. We offer a comprehensive training program for all new hires, including classroom training, shadowing, virtual reality experience, coaching, and engagement with our regional training center. This is a critical role that directly impacts the outcomes of the children and families whom we serve.  This role may be a good fit if you excel in interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and enjoy fast paced work environments.  This position provides:
No on call duty
Hybrid work schedule
Culture promoting growth and learning
Tuition reimbursement
Free and close downtown parking for office days
We look forward to learning more about you and your passion for this work!  Please see the full job description below.

Highly Competitive Employee Benefits Package and Generous Paid Time Off

11 Paid Holidays, Immediately Begin Accruing Paid Vacation and Sick Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
Ohio Public Employee Retirement System which includes 14% Employer Contribution AND a defined benefit option.
Highly Competitive and Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, HRA, Dental, Vision, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility, Free On-Site Parking, Wellness Incentives, robust Employee Assistance Program, access to Free Medical and Rx through Marathon Health, plus expansive Behavioral and Mental Health Resources, and More!

DEADLINE TO APPLY:  Open Until Filled

WORK LOCATION:
Job & Family Services
222 E. Central Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45202

WORK HOURS:
(Potential for Hybrid Remote Work Schedule)

STARTING SALARY: $25.75 hourly

NOTE: Applicants for positions with Hamilton County Job and Family Services are subject to background screening in accordance with the document: “Offenses that May Disqualify Candidates for Employment.” Convictions from this list may disqualify a candidate for employment with HCJFS.

Applicants for Children’s Services positions cannot provide foster care for children in the custody of Hamilton County.

REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION):
Bachelor’s degree in a Social Work or Human Services related field
Must possess a valid driver’s license issued in the state of residency
Must have the use of an insured automobile.
A criminal records check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the FBI is required.
JOB DUTIES (SUMMARY):
Provides intensive case management services to parent/caregivers by utilizing the Ohio START (Sobriety, Treatment, and Reducing Trauma) intensive, wraparound intervention program while adhering to all aspect of a traditional child welfare worker. The program is targeted at parent/caregivers who have co-occurring child maltreatment and substance abuse. The Ohio START caseworker maintains a case from the assessment phase throughout the ongoing phase until reunification is complete or the case is transferred to a traditional ongoing case worker due to the parent/caregiver’s unwillingness to engage in services. Ohio START case workers carry a case load of no more than 12 cases due to the intensive nature and face to face contact requirements to support the parent/caregiver’s strides towards recovery.
Responds to screened in Intake Reports. Responds to the priority of the report within mandated time frames.  Conducts face to face interviews with all children in the household of assessment, parent/caregiver(s) and alleged maltreater(s).  Information collected during these interviews shall include pertinent information regarding alleged maltreatment, surrounding circumstances, adult and child functioning, parenting practices, and discipline to ensure an accurate safety determination. Additional information collection through collateral contacts necessary to complete the safety assessment and determination of child safety. Determine presence or absence of safety threat(s) in consultation with the Supervisor. Confirms a safe environment and implements necessary safety intervention when applicable.
Ensures the safety, permanency and well-being of the child(ren); continually assesses for safety of child(ren) by conducting  home visits and interviews with child(ren), parents, caretakers, and all collaterals who may have pertinent information regarding the family; gathers information from service providers and parent/caregiver(s) to assess the parent/caregiver(s) change in behavior and increased protective capacities;  develops safety planning for child(ren) when  a safety threat is identified; secures out of home legal placements for child(ren) when necessary; develops case plans with family and provides casework services in the home of family, and out-of-home placements; provides casework services to children in placement and meets regularly with substitute caregivers; maintains regular contact with supportive service providers to ensure coordination and effectiveness of services; works with utilization management team and networks to access appropriate placements and prepare children and families for placement; arranges regular visitation between guardians and children in placement.
Completes all assessments, case plans, and other various mandated documentation in required timeframes. Prepares Request for Legal Action and provides court testimony. Utilizes and completes screening tools (UNCOPE, ACES and CTAC) to assess for substance abuse and trauma. Completes all needed caregiver and child service referrals. Responsible for maintaining written documentation of case activities; completes activity logs, placement changes and case plans; responsible for other mandated paperwork as outlined by state regulations and agency policy; reviews prior Children’s Services history, completes background and criminal checks on parent(s) and alternative caretaker(s); obtains school and medical records as well as records from community service providers.
Attends and participates in necessary court hearings; supervision and training; family team meetings; case reviews; semi-annual reviews; individual and group supervision sessions; section and staff meetings, Ohio START training/meetings and any other relevant training or agency meeting.
Attends and participates in necessary court hearings; supervision and training; family team meetings; case reviews; semi-annual reviews; individual and group supervision sessions; section and staff meetings, Ohio START training/meetings and any other relevant training or agency meeting.
Attends conferences and training.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (*Indicates can be developed after employment)
Knowledge of: agency policies and procedures; case management; child welfare practices and procedures, substance abuse treatment and recovery.
Skill In: Strength based approach when engaging children and families; interpretation and application of agency and *Ohio START training, professionally handling crisis and stressful situations.
Ability to:  professionally and respectfully communicate, define problems, collect data, establish facts then analyze and draw valid conclusions based on the collected information; execute verbal instructions technical in nature; prepare concise and accurate written assessments and documentation; handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with community service providers and stakeholders; maintain confidentially, work cooperatively with other agency staff, service providers and community partners.
ESSENTIAL JOB FACTORS:
Must undergo a background check via the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI). Must have a car, valid driver’s license issued by the state of residency and required auto liability insurance.
HAZARDOUS and/or WORKING CONDITIONS:
Lift and carry children; lift and carry child car seats; lift and carry infant carrier; stand entire length of home visit (an hour or longer)
Conduct home visits during warmest months of the year (no air conditioning)
Significant walking during home visit, and frequent walking to and from court
Frequently enter and exit motor vehicle
Frequently climbing and descending stairs
Sitting for extended periods while driving
Stooping, bending, crouching
Able to quickly exit hazardous/dangerous situations that could involve violent clients, violent relatives, vicious animals, insects, rodents, unstable structures, etc.
Able to lift and carry large case files and occasionally push a cart containing case files
BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED:
Background checks consistent with requirements in OAC 5101:2-5-09 must be completed at employment and every ten years following, including but not limited to the following systems:
State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)
State Child/Abuse Neglect Central Registry Check for any state in which the applicant resided within the last five years
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification Investigation (BCI)
FBI
National Sex Offender Public website (WWW.NSOPW.Gov) Code 5101:2-5-09 must be conducted for each prospective employee