A combination of education and experience will be considered This position will work in the area of Child Protection. Provide direct case management services to individuals and families in the areas of adult and child protection, mental health, developmental disabilities, foster care licensing, brain injury, and elderly services. Case management services include assessment of need, care planning and implementation, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, authorization of client service agreements, community referrals, supportive services and service coordination. Employees work under general supervision and within established procedures, methods and policies. They are often physically removed from their Supervisor and are only subject to periodic supervisory checks. Social Workers duties will include any or all of the following: 1. Provide direct services or referrals for the following: a. Vocation/employment services. b. Direct services to emotionally, chemically, physically, or socially impaired individuals. c. Services to delinquent children. d. Provide intensive transition services to the target population being discharged from higher level of care to the community setting, coordinate and assure access to needed services to facilitate discharge. e. Coordinate preventive services. f. Casework services for rehabilitation and care of children. g. Service intervention for situations that become known to the agency. h. Advocacy services for abuse victims and their families. i. Case management services for residents identified in need of services. j. Individual and/or family counseling when appropriate. 2. Complete an assessment by gathering and assessing multidimensional information about the individual s and/or family s situation using appropriate social worker knowledge and theory with a focus on Person-centered and strength-based assessment to develop a plan that determines the appropriate level of care, funding mechanisms, placements needs and/or service options while involving all relevant parties. 3. Conducts immediate investigations for the safety and protection of children and adults in imminent danger, conducts forensic interviews of suspected sexual abuse, develops plans for safety of these populations, and responds to crises after normal business hours if necessary. These services are frequently provided in the home or community environment where conditions may be hostile and /or unsanitary. De-escalation skills are required to respond to situations prior to assistance arriving. 4. Prepares social histories with emphasis on psychosocial factors, adoption, or foster home placements. 5. Supervises board and lodge, foster home, treatment, and relative placements. 6. Interprets policies and regulations on behalf of clients. 7. Provide transportation to clients as applicable and necessary. Also required to drive frequently throughout Minnesota and outstate areas. 8. Seek appointment for legal guardians or custodians for specific clients and in those roles, accepts responsibility for making decisions regarding living arrangements, education, employment and medical needs. Act as a representative payee with legal authority to manage and direct use of client s personal funds. Act as an Authorized Representative, assisting clients with their financial assistance cases. 9. Conduct drug and alcohol analysis. 10. Exposure to individuals who are irrational or potentially dangerous as a result of chemical use or mental illness. Clients are required to complete a case plan via court order or other external influences and can be in an adversarial relationship with case manager. 11. File petitions, testifies in Court, and maintains Court involvement when necessary to assure client safety. Advises the Court through written reports and expert testimony on the matters of protection, custody, adoption, emergency guardianship, pre-petition screenings, civil commitment. Monitors compliance of civil commitment and CHIPS (Child(ren) In N ed of Protection or Services) orders. 12. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, relatives, the Court, law enforcement, schools, community-based providers, and the public to enhance safety, efficiency and knowledge base. Uses these external and internal resources as appropriate. 13. Documents intake interventions and opens a new case or files information for future reference. 14. Follows all governing agencies policies, laws, statutes, procedures, and practices in assessment and documentation. Adjusts to ongoing requirements and assures protocols, practices, timelines, and documentation meet required standards. 15. Follows lead agency policies and procedures in assessing, planning, coordinating, billing, determining eligibility and monitoring cases. 16. Staffs cases with the inter-agency team for disposition. Keeps supervisory and administrative staff informed of problematic situations for backup purposes and uses staff as a team when possible. 17. As assigned, represents the department on various advisory committees and state, county or local work groups. 18. Represent the Commissioner of Human Services for all licensing appeals, hearings, court actions related to foster care and child care licenses. 19. Complete reports, documentation or correspondence for the public, Department of Human Services, Court, Mental Health Initiative, grants, county board reports. 20. Participate on the County Emergency Response Team if there is a disaster or emergency in the County. 21. Provide on-call coverage as required, including a rotating schedule for weekends, evenings, and holidays. 22. Keeps abreast of changes in current practice standards, ethics, policies, laws and procedures affecting the social service area. Provides training across units and ensures quality and comprehensive services are received. 23. Gives input in developing agency policies and procedures in assessing, planning, coordinating, and monitoring cases for staff and clients. 24. Performs duties outside the job description as assigned by supervisor. DEADLINE: Open until filled