Children Services Ongoing Caseworker

JOB SUMMARY

The position of Children Services Ongoing Caseworker brings the right candidate a rewarding career helping children and families. Challenges bring forth opportunities for the candidate to employ critical thinking skills and experience significant growth, both personally and professionally. The caseworker will be a collaborative member of the team, providing ongoing support and resources to children and families in need, assessing situations of potential child abuse or neglect, and partnering with various agencies to promote child welfare. The ideal candidate will possess strong conflict management skills and have experience working with children and families in crisis situations. If you are seeking to make a positive difference in your community, please reach out to us.

POSITION

Children Services Ongoing Caseworker

BENEFITS

· 12+ Paid Holidays

· Immediate Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual

· Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Coverage

· Access to County Vehicles for Work Purposes

· Deferred Compensation Plan

· Retirement Plan with Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

· Discounts at Select Local Businesses

· Student Loan Forgiveness

· Employee Assistance Program

· Hybrid Schedule may be Available Upon Successful Completion of Probation

JOB DUTIES

· Work Closely with Families who have had their Child(ren) removed from their Home

· Take Steps to Ensure Child Safety, which may Include Removing Children from their Homes

· Focus Majority of Time Working with Families on Reunification Goals

· Ensure Safety Concerns are Corrected within the Home

· Collaborate on Decisions as to Whether or Not a Child can Safely Return Home

· Develop and Maintain Strong Relationships with Families

· Significant Time Spent in the Field Completing Home Visits

· Refer Families to Community Resources

· Monitor Case Plan Participation to Reunify Families

· Maintain Factual and Accurate Records

· Conduct Family Team Meetings

· Work Closely with Law Enforcement, the Court System, and Other Professionals

· Demonstrate Skillful Verbal Communication

· Provide Court Testimony, which may Include Testifying at Hearings to Terminate Parental Rights

· Prepare Cases for Administrative or Judicial Procedures

· Display Strong Organization and Time Management Skills

· Prepare Written Documents, such as Case Plans, Assessments, and Reviews

· Meet State Mandates and Other Established Deadlines

· Serve as On-Call Worker on Rotating Basis (Additional Pay Provided)

WAGE

· Starting at $20.45/hour

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in human services-related studies

· OR bachelor’s degree in any field and have been employed for at least two years in a human services occupation

· OR associate’s degree in human services-related studies

· OR been employed for at least five years in a human services-related occupation

*For employment to continue, a person described in option 2, 3, or 4 above must obtain a job-related bachelor’s degree not later than five years after the date of employment with the agency commences.

*Note: All liability and responsibility for determining “human services-related studies” or “human services-related occupation” rests with the employing agency.

· Per section 5153.122 of the Ohio Revised Code, each caseworker shall complete at least ninety hours of in-service training during the first year of the caseworker’s continuous employment, consisting of courses in recognizing and preventing child abuse and neglect, assessing risks, interviewing persons, investigating cases, intervening, providing services to children and their families, and other topics relevant to child abuse and neglect. After the first year of continuous employment, each caseworker annually shall complete thirty-six hours of training in areas relevant to the caseworker’s assigned duties.

· Must have Valid Driver’s License

· Must live within 45 minutes of our agency

Unusual Working Conditions: This position possesses responsibility for the safety of children or adults by requiring the incumbent to make determinations as to whether these children or adults are in an “imminent risk of harm.” These children and adults are incapable of protecting themselves from physical, mental, and/or sexual abuse. Injuries, if they do occur, are likely to involve temporary disabilities such as bruises or cuts. Serious mistakes in terms of failing to remove children or adults from homes could conceivably, although extremely infrequent, cause death (e.g. suicide) or a permanent disability. Additionally, the position involves performing duties which require taking some special safety precautions, such as when contacting and negotiating with a family suspected of child abuse and/or neglect. However, performing this duty does not require the use of protective clothing. Exposure to these situations are likely to result in threats of injury, which are rarely acted upon. However, the position involves regular exposure to environmental factors (e.g. cold, excessive heat, noise, fumes, vibration, dirt, bugs) during interviews and meetings conducted outside of the office. This position may involve lifting or carrying children, and exposure to contagious diseases.

HOW TO APPLY

• Submit a resume by mail, in person, or by email. Emails can be addressed to Chelsea Wentling at

Mail: Hancock County Job and Family Services

Attn: Chelsea Wentling

P.O. Box 270

Findlay, OH 45839

In Person: 7814 CR 140

Findlay, OH 45840

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability or age.