Social Worker, Senior - Youth Justice Behavior Health

Full Job Description

The Health and Human Services area is seeking two Senior Social Workers to join the Youth Justice Behavior Health team.

These positions will be responsible for working closely with youth and their parent/guardians to address complex mental health needs while providing assessments, referrals, monitoring, and regular contact with the youth, families, and community providers.

Case managers work with youth who may be involved in multiple systems, such as Child Protection and Juvenile Justice.

In these roles you may interact with Child Protection, the Treatment Placement Screening team, Child Welfare, Corrections, and the Waiver system in addition to working with voluntary and involuntary parents/guardians who have children between the ages of 12-18 with mental health diagnoses and have experienced adverse childhood events.

Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program.

• Provide care management to families with youth receiving mental health treatment and that are involved in the youth justice system.
• Conduct assessments of youth and families to determine strengths, needs, and appropriate types and methods of service/treatment.
• Design and follow through on intensive long or short-term service/treatment plans.
• Provide resources and support to families and individuals.
• Provide preventive and direct support to youth who have mental health diagnoses, who may also have complex social and financial challenges/barriers.
• Interpret and explain policies, regulations, and programs to parents/guardians and the public.
• Refer and connect youth and families to appropriate community services.
• Make community visits to clients' homes, schools, treatment programs, and other related sites which could include in-state or out-of-state programs.
• Prepare and maintain records, correspondence, and reports.
• Work cooperatively across other departments such as Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Corrections.
• Write timely, detailed, and objective court reports to parties involved in Child Protection Courts.
• Prepare and appear at required in-person court appearances.
• Help guide families through the social services and corrections legal processes, including policies, statutes, and limitations.

• One of the following:
  • Master's degree or higher in social work or closely related field with course work emphasis in areas such as social work methods, human growth and behavior, and principles of social welfare.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services, and 18 semester (27 quarter) credits of graduate work in the above areas, and three years or more of full-time supervised experience as a social worker.
  • Licensed as a Graduate Social Worker by the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit.

• Licensure as a Mental Health Professional in the state of Minnesota.
• Experience:
  • Providing mental health services to children with complex mental health needs.
  • Providing trauma informed care to youth and families.
  • Developing and implementing individualized case plans.
• Knowledge of:
  • Substance use disorders in youth.
  • Best practices in children’s mental health assessment, interventions, and systems.
  • Culturally competent practices.
  • Statutory regulations related to children’s mental health.
• Ability to:
  • Embrace an environment that recognizes and respects cultural, lifestyle, and socioeconomic differences.
  • Build and nurture collaborative working relationship with a variety of customers and partners including youth, parents, employees, community partners, and the public.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.