Permanency Caseworker I/Social Service Worker-DCFS Western Region (Salem)

Full Job Description

Becoming a Caseworker I or Social Service Worker at the Utah Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) can be a life changing event!

If you have a social work background and a passion to work with children and families, Child & Family Services is the place for you. Together we can make a difference through service!

Responsibilities

DCFS Permanency Caseworkers and Social Service Workers strive to keep children with their own families whenever safely possible by assessing their and their families' needs, getting them connected to available resources, and conducting in-home services of appropriate intensity and duration.

They work to reunify children who have been removed from their homes whenever possible or find enduring safety and permanency for them through alternative options.

To accomplish this, caseworkers work closely with the subject matter experts, are provided with regular professional supervision, and complete DCFS Practice Model Training while performing the following tasks:

• Investigating reports of abuse, exploitation, and/or neglect; assessing risks, strengths, barriers; and determining appropriate actions governing a client's situation.

• Working with families to create plans for children’s safety and for ongoing services.

• Coordinating and referring services to children and families offered by community resources, placement providers, collateral agencies, the courts, and community partners.

• Supervising visits between parents and children to ensure safety.

• Conducting in-home visits to assess safety and track progress.

• Facilitating Child and Family Team Meetings with the family, their formal and informal supports.

• Testifying in court hearings regarding actions, findings, procedures, and protocols.

• Preparing detailed case documentation that includes: intake records, investigation summaries, assessments of safety, risk and family functioning risk service plans, court reports, case history, and activity logs.

• May include performing 24-hour-on-call services as needed under supervisor's direction. 24-hour on-call service assignments may be based on, and subject to, geographic employment location and/or agency demand.

• Other duties as assigned.

• Understands human development across the lifespan, and resources in the community, and has the ability to provide support and interventions in a culturally responsive way.
• Is adept at interacting professionally with all levels of management while managing a diversified workload and challenging situations.
• Deals with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism.
• Communicates effectively, clearly, and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Has four years of full-time education OR professional work experience related to working with children, parents, and/or families, OR a combination of education and professional work experience.
• Possesses a current valid driver's license.

Qualifying professional work experience:

• Previous or current employment with the DHHS; working with residential youth or adults participating in programs related to domestic violence, abuse, or homelessness; working in a domestic violence or homeless shelter, or with any agency providing mental or behavioral health services; any public or private school in an educational or social work-related role; foster or kinship provider, contracted DHHS service provider, or other fields closely related to child welfare), or a combination of experience and education to equal four years.

• If work experience was not full-time, the equivalent must be calculated in comparison to full-time. For example, two years of half-time work would be equivalent to one year of full-time work.

• Holds an SSW or higher or higher licensure in good standing (required by statute UCA58-60-103).
• Understands human development across the lifespan, and resources in the community, and has the ability to provide support and interventions in a culturally responsive way.
• Is adept at interacting professionally with all levels of management while managing a diversified workload and challenging situations.
• Deals with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism.
• Communicates effectively, clearly, and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Has four years of professional work experience related to working with children, parents, and/or families or a combination of education and experience to equal four years.
• Possesses a current valid driver's license.

• Are current or previous employees of the Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS)
• Have completed an internship with DCFS
• Have four years or more years of professional work experience related to working with children, parents, and/or families, OR holds a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, family and human development, human services, criminal justice, bachelor of science in health education and promotion, or closely related degree, OR a combination of professional work experience and education

Why You Should Join Our TeamBecome an integral part of a Utah Division working together to keep children safe and strengthen families in our communities.

Experience a sense of achievement for a job well done and enjoy work life balance!

We offer great health benefits and retirement plans, generous paid time off, and a balanced work schedule to afford quality time spent with your family.

Click here to see what makes working for the State of Utah awesome: Compensation & Benefits.

The Agency

The goal of Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is to have communities where children grow up safe from abuse, neglect and dependency, where adults are protected from domestic violence, and where parents can be strengthened in their capacity to keep their family safe.

For more information about DCFS, Click Here

Additional Information

• Only applicants invited to interview will be notified.
• May require 24-hour on-call services/time. 24-hour on-call services response time to be determined by the agency.
• Department of Human Resource Management rules regarding promotions and transfers apply to current employees.
• Travel required; you may be required to use your personal vehicle to perform the duties of this position; approved mileage is reimbursable through State Finance.
• All DCFS job offers are contingent upon passing a Background Screening Application (BSA).
• Must have a valid driver's license.

• Moderate - Some of the work performed requires some physical exertion. You may be required to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend; crouch; stoop; stretch; reach; lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.), e.g. lifting a small child in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.

• High Risk - Risks found in potentially dangerous or unusual environmental stress situations, e.g. working at great heights, working in extreme outdoor weather conditions, being subject to possible physical attack, etc.
• Some special risks which may require the use of special safety precautions e.g., entering clients homes, maybe working around contagious diseases, i.e. parasitic infections caused by head lice, bed bugs, scabies, etc. or chemicals, i.e. illegal substances, etc.