JOB SUMMARY:

Plans, organizes and manages the day-to-day operations of the protective services unit, comprised of several levels of case workers and others with responsibility for assessing and determining safety of clients across various human services programs; develops and implements revisions to programs offered based on new practice or revised rules, laws or regulations; collaborates with outside agencies to enhance delivery of services to clients. This position requires a thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations of various programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Carries out management and supervisory responsibility in accordance with practice, policies, procedures and applicable laws including: interviewing, hiring and training, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Plans long-range goals and objectives for the unit.

Provides information, advice, feedback, or assistance to others within the department to refine work outputs or resolve problems.

Organizes and schedules work flow, including maintaining coverage during staff vacancies or leaves.

Reviews paperwork completed by staff for approval; checks work for accuracy; returns documents to staff members for corrections.

Keeps current on new federal, state and county practices, policies and procedures; develops and implements changes as needed to ensure unit is following requirements.

Schedules meetings with other department members to exchange information on issues of concern to the entire department, including new agency rules and regulations, safety issues or problem cases.

Authorizes court-related actions to ensure safety of clients, including the need to seek temporary protective custody of children, file dependency and neglect actions on behalf of children, or seek conservatorship or guardianship of at-risk adults.

Authorizes expenditures of funds for services that meet a client’s needs; explores alternatives with subordinate personnel; and directs employees to seek other financial assistance if appropriate.

Participates in meetings and/or serves on boards of other agencies; networks with community partners and resources to ensure appropriate use of community resources; participates in development of new methods/programs for community agencies to assist clients.

Conducts meetings with clients to assess needs, develop treatment plans, monitor progress toward goals; and schedules and coordinates case management meetings between family members, other service agencies or facilities as needed.

Prepares for and gives expert testimony in court as required.

Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development through required continued education and by attending seminars and training programs as well as reading trade and professional journals and publications.

Serves as Assistant Director in Director’s absence; may serve as other Human Services Managers in their absence.

Performs work of the professional caseworker, including but not limited to, conducting investigations, providing intake and/or on-going social casework services for at risk children, adults, and families, developing treatment plans, and providing counseling and crisis intervention as needed.

Reviews and develops treatment plans and / or case service plans, safety plans, support plans for adults or children, including family coordination, out-of-home placements, and community services.

Prepares and reviews case presentations for court. Attends hearings and assists Attorney in court hearings.

Coordinates RED team meetings and case consultation meetings.

Facilitates Foster Care, APS and other review / audit meetings. Conducts quality assurance reviews to prepare for all case audits.

Provides management of resource activity (family foster/adoptive home licensing and monitoring, Kinship, ICPC and ICAMA).

Provides management of CORE services programs and acts as point of contact with contract providers.

Assists in the development of policies and procedures for the various child and adult protection programs as required.

Acts as an official representative of the County in a professional manner with local, state, and national agencies and organizations. Participates in community task forces to better serve at risk children and adults and families as needed.

Responds to emergency calls related to child protection services as needed.

Provides information, advice, feedback, or assistance to others within the department to refine work outputs or resolve problems.

Keeps current on new federal, state and county policies and procedures; develops and implements changes as needed to ensure division is following most recent requirements.

Schedules meetings with other department members to exchange information on issues of concern to the entire department and to coordinates services and functions of the agency.

Participates in annual budget preparation; provides recommendations regarding unit’s needs; keeps Director informed of program expenditures.

Maintains records and files; prepares statistical and other reports as required.

Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Colorado Bureau of Investigation Proper System Usage Training within 30 days of hire.
• The following Incident Command System Training is required within one year of hire: ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800
• Pre-employment background check and drug screening by employer during the hiring process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Social Work with major coursework in human behavioral sciences or a related field, a master’s degree preferred.
• Five years of progressively responsible related experience; or any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job to include supervisory or lead work experience.
• Must have completed New Workers training within six months of hire and Supervisory training within one year of hire.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver’s License.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, New Worker’s Certification and supervisory training for child protection and adult protection programs.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain SAFE supervisor and worker training for licensing foster / adopt homes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• All knowledge, skills and abilities may not be required of all incumbents.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation.
• Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision.
• Thorough, advanced knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice.
• Addiction, domestic/family violence, developmental disabilities and mental health issues and signs/symptoms.
• Child and adult protection issues, investigative procedures and laws.
• Therapeutic theories and practices relating to families and children.
• Child development, life stage development, attachment and bonding theories and appropriate parenting practices.
• Policies, procedures, philosophies, rules, ethics and regulations governing the services to clients.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Community resources available to assist clients.
• Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

Ability To:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.
• Coordinate and facilitate family decision making processes.
• Exercise effective organizational skills and work in a diversified environment.
• Make decisions regarding therapeutic, educational, medical, or other interventions to assist a family and maintain the best interests of the client.
• Supervise and mentor professional and support staff in a productive and positive manner.