This is a blended position which includes completion of duties involved in on-going child welfare case management and adoptions services. Child Welfare case management services protect children from child abuse, neglect, and exploitation; to prepare and implement case management plans for the treatment of child abuse, the protection of victims; to participate in legal actions arising from child abuse case activities; and to perform related duties as assigned.

These examples of typical duties do not include all possible tasks for this classification and do not limit the assignment of related tasks. Regular attendance according to the department's approved work schedule is required for all Sherburne positions.

• Effectively engage individuals and families to assess and evaluate needs and strengths, including safety and risk.
• Collaborate with agencies and clients to determine eligibility, need, and level of service for identified clients.
• Construct and implement a Case Plan, which includes necessary assessments, defines goals and objectives, and provides for the direction of service.
• Coordinate and provide direct services and advocacy to clients and families.
• Facilitate access to and integrate community resources on behalf of the client.
• Evaluate, document, and monitor progress toward goals and objectives.
• Maintain and apply knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, and statutes and professional practice.
• Complete agency, state, and federal required documentation as related to client activity according to mandated timelines.
• Close cases based on eligibility or client desire to discontinue services.
• Provide immediate response in crisis situations. Maintain safety for clients and community.
• Develop and implement a safety plan for clients to maximize their safety and minimize community risk.
• Prepares legal documents and testifies at court, as necessary.

• Provide information about the types of children available including genetic background, history of neglect and/or abuse, and behavioral, physical, and emotional problems.
• Assess with the family the appropriateness of adoption and the type of child best suited for them.
• Provide stepparent adoption assessments to complete court finalizations.
• Provide information and advocate for families requesting Northstar Adoption Assistance modifications.
• Coordinate the exchange of information between the birth parents and adoptive parents on a minor child.
• Provide supportive services for adoptive families regarding adoption related issues, including support group and grant coordination.
• Recruit adoptive homes for waiting children.
• Utilize knowledge of resources to make decisions as to which resources are most appropriate to meet client needs and to make referrals (both verbally and in writing) to resources.
• Obtain and coordinate information to determine needs of the client, taking into consideration the diagnostic assessment, social history, physical status, emotional needs, family support and community resources.
• Utilize counseling skills to assist crisis clients in discussion of problems related to individual or family dynamics or problems.
• Prepare the child and/or family members for the Court process.
• Provide testimony in court regarding the matter before the court, the role of health and human services.
• Submit all reports and information to the Court in a timely manner.
• Submit all necessary documentation for children being adopted under Northstar Adoption Assistance to the Department of Human Services and the court for finalization.

Education: BA/BS in Social Work or closely related field.

Must have a valid MN driver's license and reliable vehicle.

Experience:
Social Worker I: Minimum of completed Social Work internship or closely related field
Social Worker II: Minimum of 1 year of Social Work experience or equivalent education plus work experience

Desirable experience: Social Worker CORE/Foundation training, Signs of Safety training, Corner House training, SSIS training, previous Social Work Investigations/Assessments or Case Management experience. Child Welfare IV-E Scholar.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skills needed include interviewing, information collection, assessment, counseling, program development, advocacy skills, report writing and resource development, maintain objectivity.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of all Federal/State laws, Department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of court processes, mental health, maltreatment, and delinquency.
• Demonstrate by personal example the service excellence and integrity expected from all employees.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including sharing knowledge with others and participating in new employee training.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with human services staff, other county employees, clients, and the public.
• Confer regularly with and keep one's immediate supervisor informed on all important matters pertaining to assigned job accountabilities.
• Represent the County in a professional manner to all clients, professionals, and community members when doing the County's business.
• Ability to handle confidential and data privacy issues appropriately.
• Ability to handle contentious issues appropriately.
• Ability to solve problems and determine appropriate course of action.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrams or schedule forms.
• Ability to manage crisis situations.

• Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's vision, mission, and values.
• Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and county-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
• Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Informs immediate supervisor of all-important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
• Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
• Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
• Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

Hiring Salary Range:
Social Worker I: $28.91 - $34.69/hour (Grade 12)

Social Worker II: $30.93 - $37.11/hour (Grade 13)

Union: Teamsters

Hours of Work
Usual work schedule of 40 hours per week generally during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; may include occasional evening and weekend hours.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment
Must be able to endure extended travel, up to 8 hours or more per day. Must be able to provide own means of transportation when county vehicles are not available. May be required to travel to remote areas and in all weather conditions.
Must be able to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (15-25 pounds).

Typical Working Environment:
80% Inside Work (office and field work), 20% Travel. (These percentages are an estimate and may vary based on job duties.)
Work is performed both in the office and in the field (some examples of settings include client’s: homes, apartments, hospitals, group homes, schools, shelters, correctional facilities, and treatment facilities). Headaches, eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury in the office. Field visits to clients’ homes may expose employee to unsanitary conditions, communicable illnesses, infrequent exposure to health hazards, unpredictable and/or unsafe environments.
Likelihood of verbal abuse and threats from hostile, frustrated clients and may include unpredictable situations.

Sherburne County offers an exceptional benefit plan including Paid Time Off starting at 21 days per year and increasing to a maximum of 33 days per year; 10 paid holidays; benefit plan including health, life, dental, vision, short-term, and long-term disability, and long-term care insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (PERA). Some benefits are pro-rated for employees working more than 30 but less than 40 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week do not receive benefits.