Our Mission: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence, and stability of individuals and families.

Our Vision: To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)

ACDHS uses an integrated Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design, continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long term stability and sustainability.

The Intake Social Caseworker B will apply learned and trained knowledge and abilities in professional casework under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff. The Intake Social Caseworker B performs complex case management work providing intake social work services to families where child abuse or neglect is present or suspected. Assignments include the provision of extensive assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, crisis intervention, resource mobilization and information and referral around all areas of child protection.

The ideal applicant will have high energy and enthusiasm with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. They should enjoy flexibility and variety in their job duties and have a desire to work with families and other professionals in a team setting.

* Responds to allegations of abuse and/or neglect. Conduct assessments to determine the safety of a child(ren). Determine whether adequate safety measures are present for the child(ren) to remain in the home or if the situation warrants out of home placement.
* Responsible for case management activities where there has been an allegation of severe neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, educational neglect, lack of supervision, and challenges in parent-child relationships.
* Responds to referrals of fatal or near fatal child abuse/neglect; some allegations also may involve egregious harm or serious bodily injury to a child.
* Provides immediate and short-term intervention while evaluating and assessing a family's needs. Complete assessments within 60 days and determine whether long-term support and services are necessary in order to achieve child safety and well-being.
* Collaborates with collaterals and community partners (ie. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, individual family supports, mental health, substance use and domestic violence providers, economic security and housing partners, etc.) to obtain information, coordinate services, case plan, achieve stability and mitigate safety concerns for children.
* Gathers and consolidate background information to present as documentation for court hearings and to assist in determining appropriate placement when a child needs to be removed from the home.
* Participates in meetings and serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team with schools, mental health providers, child protection review teams, and other professionals involved with the family.
* Attends court hearings; consult with attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, children, parents, witnesses, and others during court proceedings. Testify in court providing testimony of involvement with the family.
* Serves as an information and referral source to other employees and to the public.
* Responsible for entering documentation and all case contacts into Trails. Responsible for managing caseload and prioritizing work to ensure timeliness, as required by state and federal rules and regulations.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Ability to adapt to fast-paced and high-volume work environment and be able to handle high stress and complex situations while remaining calm and professional. Must be well versed in effective conflict resolution and possess ability to deescalate hostile situations and confidently make decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a positive and professional work environment. Establish and maintain professional working relationships with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, staff, peers, supervisors, providers, state officials, and other community partners.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to prioritize tasks, take initiative, and multitask.
• Ability to effectively present information, write reports and business correspondence and respond to court, managers, customers, other agencies, co-workers, and the general public via fax, telephone, and email. Ability to clearly articulate concepts, directives and goals to employees, professionals and state and community representatives.
• Ability to analyze and interpret governmental and legal regulations. Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and state and county computer systems. Ability to learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis.

• Educator/Teacher and or Para-professional Work: Providing support to underserved children in communities where services are essential, including engaging with families of learners.
• Refugee/Migrant Support: Offering aid and advocacy to refugees and/or migrants facing unique challenges.
• Residential Care/PRTF: Experience with children, youth or adults in residential care, day treatment or detention centers, emphasizing hands-on engagement with families.
• Domestic Violence Case Manager: Direct experience in managing cases related to domestic violence and supporting clients.
• Clinical Experience: Experience working with vulnerable/underserved children and families utilizing therapeutic tools or interventions.
• Medical Professionals: Ex. Nurses who have worked in the field with underserved populations providing public health education to families who are vulnerable and need assistance accessing services.
• Victim's Advocate: Experience working with children and families in the community providing support and resources.
• Probation Officer: Experience providing case management services to individuals, both youth and adults.
• Law Enforcement: Experience working in underserved communities, being called in the field to mitigate risk/de-escalation of citizens struggling with mental health, working with adults/youth in the community. Connecting with families in the community experiencing traumatic life events.
• Internships and Volunteering: Experience gained through internships or volunteering in any of the categories with a commitment of 20 hours per week or more (or 16 hours if internship was within child welfare county department).

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class "R" Colorado Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of employment.

• Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.
• Position is deemed essential and intake casework staff must be available for winter storm and other emergency events. Intake caseworker staff may be asked to be available to work on-call on a rotational basis including evenings, holidays and weekends.
• Must have already successfully completed the Colorado Pre-Service Training Academy program or if hired must successfully complete and pass all required State of Colorado training in order to be certified as a caseworker. Maintain Child Welfare Certification through 40 or more hours of yearly training.
• Work locations and facilities are subject to change based on business need.

• Vacation hours accrue for all active employees based on scheduled hours and years of service, as shown below:
  • 10 hours per month (with accrual increases every five years)
• Sick Time:
  • 8 hours per month
• 13 designated paid holidays annually (8 hours paid for each holiday)
• 1 additional floating holiday annually (8 hours paid for each holiday)

• Work involves a considerable period of time (20-40%) away from standard office environment, much of which consists of driving to and from home visits, collateral contacts and in transporting children and clients. At times more than normal physical exertion is required in transporting children. Work my occur in situations in which incumbent is threatened with physical harm by hostile/angry clients.

• Spends 50% of the time sitting and 50% of the time either upright or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).

Definitions:

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.