PREVENTION OUTREACH WORKER

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision of the Casework Supervisor or other administering supervisor, this position performs work providing services through the child welfare department in Clear Creek County. The goal of the Prevention Outreach worker is to provide support to the Caseworkers as needed as well as to work with families in the community to increase support surrounding protective factors, decrease the risk associated with the likelihood of child abuse and neglect, and decrease the likelihood of entry or reentry into the child welfare system. 

Benefits: Retirement, Health, Dental, Vision, Wellness, Voluntary Life, Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital, Life & AD&D Ins, Short-term and Long-term Disability, PTO, Sick Leave, Education Assistance.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES:

Prevention Outreach Worker:

• Coordinate and supervise visitations between parents and their children and maintain documentation of observations during visitation.
• Carry a caseload of prevention cases, engage with families in crisis, and challenge clients efficiently and effectively.
• Maintain and cultivate partnerships with other community-based agencies through outreach.
• Contact families and discuss child welfare concerns. 
• Assess individual and family's needs to identify potential resources and/or services.
• Prepare and maintain case records, reports, and documents and comply with state and federal standards.
• Facilitate family engagement meetings
• Coordinate and complete home visits with clients, organize services such as life skills, daycare, financial assistance, physical and mental health, and legal services, and provide information on available services.
• Transport clients to services as requested.
• Participate in regular child welfare meetings, supervision, and training.
• Prepare and participate in the red team process.
• Complete home study evaluations for foster and kinship families.
• Coordinate and facilitate sobriety monitoring of clients
• Adhere to all County policies and procedures and all laws and regulations of the assigned area.
• Complete the yearly training requirements to maintain caseworker certification.
• Other related duties as assigned by the Casework Supervisor or the Department Director.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

A bachelor's degree from a higher education institution with coursework related to the job responsibilities of a child welfare social caseworker. Coursework examples include and are not limited to, the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques; and b. Professional, internship, or volunteer work experience in a human services-related agency

EXPERIENCE:

No prior caseworker experience is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of agency policies, laws dealing with child abuse, neglect, and other dependency conditions, regulations, procedures, basic service delivery and intervention functions, child development, and community resources.

• Therapy and Counseling — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions and for career counseling and guidance.  (e.g., problems of the elderly, mentally ill, mentally retarded, physically disabled, drug and alcohol abuse). 

• Knowledge of social group work principles and methods. 

• Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. 

• Knowledge of medical symptoms related to injuries or failure to thrive in children.

• English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Sociology and Anthropology — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

• Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively. 

• Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.  Skilled in observation with an eye to detail.

• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.  It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

• Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. 

• Skilled in writing, research, and data management. 

• Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

• Ability to testify effectively in court hearings.

• Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism. 

• Ability to accurately and effectively transmit and receive information that is necessary to the accomplishment of goals and objectives, including effective written and oral communication; ability to keep customers, subordinates, peers, and supervisors informed; and the ability to listen. 

• Able to maintain courteous and effective working relationships with the public, County departments, co-workers and other agencies. 

• Ability to be well organized and skilled in time management.

• Computer proficiency required in word processing and databases.

• Requires a level of knowledge and ability to accomplish tasks or projects in a consistent and accurate manner in a variety of situations.

NESESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have valid Colorado Motor Vehicle Driver's License

• Must pass background check:  Criminal & Traffic

Conviction of a crime will not be an absolute bar to employment

• Required legal authorization to work -

United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms.  The employee is required to:  stand, walk, bend, twist, stoop, or kneel.  Must be able to respond to the customers' needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination.  Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects in a range from 25 up to 40 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. 

• Work is performed in either office environment; or client's or foster parents' home when appropriate.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax/scan machines. 
• Possible exposure to conditions relating to - loud noise, all types of weather and non-weather conditions, exposure to extremes of temperatures, fumes, odors, dirt, dust.  Must be able to drive, and occasionally will operate a county vehicle in poor driving conditions.  Some extensive travel may be necessary.  Work can be a stressful environment during peak activity periods demanding full attention and coordination of numerous tasks simultaneously. 

SUPERVISORY:

None

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities.  Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.

Compensation details: 22.29-26.73

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