Our Mission: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence, and stability of individuals and families.

Our Vision: To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)

ACDHS uses an integrated Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design, continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long term stability and sustainability.

The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse and building strong communities.

The Intake Social Caseworker B will apply learned and trained knowledge and abilities in professional casework under the direct supervision and oversight of identified Child Welfare staff. The Intake Social Caseworker B performs complex case management work providing intake social work services to families where child abuse or neglect is present or suspected. Assignments include the provision of extensive assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, crisis intervention, resource mobilization and information and referral around all areas of child protection.

• Anticipated Hiring Range – Min: $60,625.76- $73,817.38.
DUTIES:

• Responds to allegations of abuse and/or neglect. Conduct assessments to determine the safety of a child(ren). Determine whether adequate safety measures are present for the child(ren) to remain in the home or if the situation warrants out of home placement.
• Responsible for case management activities where there has been an allegation of severe neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, educational neglect, lack of supervision, and challenges in parent-child relationships.
• Responds to referrals of fatal or near fatal child abuse/neglect; some allegations also may involve egregious harm or serious bodily injury to a child.
• Provides immediate and short-term intervention while evaluating and assessing a family’s needs. Complete assessments within 60 days and determine whether long-term support and services are necessary in order to achieve child safety and well-being.
• Collaborates with collaterals and community partners (ie. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, individual family supports, mental health, substance use and domestic violence providers,economic security and housing partners, etc.) to obtain information, coordinate services, case plan, achieve stability and mitigate safety concerns for children.
• Gathers and consolidate background information to present as documentation for court hearings and to assist in determining appropriate placement when a child needs to be removed from the home.
• Participates in meetings and serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team with schools, mental health providers, child protection review teams, and other professionals involved with the family.
• Attends court hearings; consult with attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, children, parents, witnesses, and others during court proceedings. Testify in court providing testimony of involvement with the family.
• Serves as an information and referral source to other employees and to the public.
• Responsible for entering documentation and all case contacts into Trails. Responsible for managing caseload and prioritizing work to ensure timeliness, as required by state and federal rules and regulations.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Ability to adapt to fast-paced and high-volume work environment and be able to handle high stress and complex situations while remaining calm and professional. Must be well versed in effective conflict resolution and possess ability to deescalate hostile situations and confidently make decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a positive and professional work environment. Establish and maintain professional working relationships with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, staff, peers, supervisors, providers, state officials, and other community partners.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to prioritize tasks, take initiative, and multitask.
• Ability to effectively present information, write reports and business correspondence and respond to court, managers, customers, other agencies, co-workers, and the general public via fax, telephone, and email. Ability to clearly articulate concepts, directives and goals to employees, professionals and state and community representatives.
• Ability to analyze and interpret governmental and legal regulations. Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and state and county computer systems. Ability to learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):
Accountability Accessibility Inclusivity Integrity
Education and Experience:
A bachelor's degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and one (1) year of professional casework, case management, or human services experience in a public or private human services agency.

OR

A bachelor's degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and
successful completion of a child welfare internship within a County Department of Human Services or a related Human Services Agency with direct contact and service to children and families in the community.

OR

A bachelor's degree in social work or a human behavioral science field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and one (1) year of volunteer experience in a public or private human services agency working at least 20 hours per week.

OR

A master's degree from an accredited institution in social work or a human behavioral science field* with no experience.

OR

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in an unrelated field (such as biology, physics, geology, etc.) with a minimum of 15 semester credit hours or 25 quarter hours in a human behavior science field* and a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in casework, case management, or human services in a public or private agency.

OR

A master’s degree from an accredited institution in an unrelated field (such as biology, physics, geology, etc.) with a minimum of 15 semester credit hours or 25 quarter hours of coursework in a human behavior science field*, coursework taken during bachelor’s degree will meet this education requirement and a minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in casework, case management, or human services in a public or private agency.


* In order to meet the minimum educational requirements of a human behavioral science degree, the applicant must have a degree with major course work (equivalent to 15 semester credit hours or 25 quarter hours) in either development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures or therapeutic techniques such as social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and child development.

Categorically Eligible Degrees:
For the purposes of meeting minimum educational requirements, the following degrees obtained from an
accredited university will be considered “categorically eligible”. Bachelor of Arts and/or Master of Arts degree in
the following areas of study.

Areas of study that will be considered to meet the minimum educational requirements as outlined in Volume VII:

1. Psychology
2. Sociology
3. Social Work
4. Counseling
5. Child Development
6. Criminal Justice courses relevant to child welfare: This includes courses covering topics in juvenile justice, family law, family conflict, general court procedures, interviewing techniques, dispute resolution, and mediation.
7. Foreign language courses
8. Anthropology courses relevant to cultural development and history, linguistic development, and communications. Physical anthropology courses do not count toward minimum requirements.
9. History courses relevant to family and cultural development.

Examples of relevant work experience include, but are not limited to:

• Educator/Teacher and or Para-professional Work: Providing support to underserved children in communities where services are essential, including engaging with families of learners.
• Refugee/Migrant Support: Offering aid and advocacy to refugees and/or migrants facing unique challenges.
• Residential Care/PRTF: Experience with children, youth or adults in residential care, day treatment or detention centers, emphasizing hands-on engagement with families.
• Domestic Violence Case Manager: Direct experience in managing cases related to domestic violence and supporting clients.
• Clinical Experience: Experience working with vulnerable/underserved children and families utilizing therapeutic tools or interventions.
• Medical Professionals: Ex. Nurses who have worked in the field with underserved populations providing public health education to families who are vulnerable and need assistance accessing services.
• Victim's Advocate: Experience working with children and families in the community providing support and resources.
• Probation Officer: Experience providing case management services to individuals, both youth and adults.
• Law Enforcement: Experience working in underserved communities, being called in the field to mitigate risk/de-escalation of citizens struggling with mental health, working with adults/youth in the community. Connecting with families in the community experiencing traumatic life events.
• Internships and Volunteering: Experience gained through internships or volunteering in any of the categories with a commitment of 20 hours per week or more (or 16 hours if internship was within child welfare county department).

NOTE: Please attach your official (preferred) or unofficial transcripts of your completed undergraduate and/or graduate degree and list of professional references to your application in the required attachment section.

• Anticipated Hiring Range – Min: $60,625.76- $73,817.38.
Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks
• of employment.

Post-Employment Requirements:

• Will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)background check.
• Position is deemed essential and intake casework staff must be available for winter storm and other emergency events. Intake caseworker staff may be asked to be available to work on-call on a rotational basis including evenings, holidays and weekends.
• Must have already successfully completed the Colorado Pre-Service Training Academy program or if hired must successfully complete and pass all required State of Colorado training in order to be certified as a caseworker. Maintain Child Welfare Certification through 40 or more hours of yearly training.
• Work locations and facilities are subject to change based on business need.

Work - Life Balance:

• Vacation hours accrue for all active employees based on scheduled hours and years of service, as shown below:
  • 10 hours per month (with accrual increases every five years)
• Sick Time:
  • 8 hours per month
• 13 designated paid holidays annually (8 hours paid for each holiday)
• 3 additional floating holiday annually (8 hours paid for each holiday)
• 6 additional exempt days annually for exempt employees only (8 hours paid for each exempt day)

• Anticipated Hiring Range – Min: $60,625.76- $73,817.38.

NOTE: While this is a hybrid option position the schedule would be five working days, consisting of three days in the office and two remote days. This position requires flexibility with scheduling to meet family and county needs. This position is expected to be in the field for up to 80% of the time.

• Anticipated Hiring Range – Min: $60,625.76- $73,817.38.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work involves a considerable period of time (20-40%) away from standard office environment, much of which consists of driving to and from home visits, collateral contacts and in transporting children and clients. At times more than normal physical exertion is required in transporting children. Work my occur in situations in which incumbent is threatened with physical harm by hostile/angry clients.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 50% of the time sitting and 50% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).

Definitions:
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Privacy Rights 24
https://arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Privacy%20Act%20Statement.pdf

Privacy Rights 25
https://arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Noncriminal%20Justice%20Applicant%20Privacy%20Rights.pdf