We are seeking staff with demonstrated expertise in family engagement, who are committed to working with parents/caregivers to address immediate safety concerns, strengthen parental protective capacities, and provide supportive resources/services that will allow children to remain safely at home. The successful candidate will be of the beliefs that children do best when they remain with their families and that most parents want to be good parents, and when adequately engaged and supported, have the capacity to appropriately care for their children and keep them safe. The successful candidate will also be adept at identifying parental strengths, and offer a direct approach when discussing worries and concerns that require our involvement Caseloads will be capped (8 cases) to provide opportunity for more intensive engagement work.

• Engagement of families; develops a strong, cooperative working relationship with families so that they understand what the protective concerns are and want to work together with the Department to keep their children safe.
• Assesses families' needs, including issues/concerns of domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, unmet medical/educational needs, mental health issues, environmental conditions, and caretaker's capacity to parent, provide for, and protect children.
• Assesses for safety and risk; understands and is able to apply "present or impending danger" criteria
• Recognize and respond to the diversity of families, in terms of structure, culture, race, religion, economic status, beliefs, values and lifestyles.
• Develops individual case plans and reports and monitor progress of such.
• Connects families with complex specialized therapeutic treatment and services
• Conducts multiple in-home visits with family members each month. Intervention is primarily non-court involved unless family functioning requires such.
• Maintains case records according to Federal, State, and County requirements.
• Collaborates with community agencies such as schools, mental health systems, probation, diversion, the medical community, police agencies, substance abuse treatment providers and extended family members to provide coordinated services to families.
• Writes court reports, attends legal hearings, testifies for Department, consults with attorneys regarding legal aspects of cases if needed
• Models respectful, professional behavior at all times.
• May be involved with various work groups/committees.
• Meets expected goals and outcomes.
• Performs related work as required.

• Adept at building rapport and engaging families.
• Strength based and solution focused.
• Knowledge of the Colorado Children's code and Volume VII for the Federal and State mandates which govern our efforts and provide the legal base of child welfare practice.
• Knowledge of human behavior principles, child development, family dynamics, and neglect and abuse dynamics.
• Knowledge of resources and alternatives to placement to aid in case direction.
• Knowledge of casework principles; ability to assess risk and safety and determine case direction.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in the use of the State automated child welfare information system.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently use the court to assist in getting treatment for clients as well as ensure due process.
• Ability to utilize personal vehicle or other mode of transportation to make visits to client's homes, travel to court and other public facilities.
• Ability to conduct home visits in unknown and uncontrolled settings which may include animals, feces, airborne contaminants, gang members, weapons, and other environmental hazards.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Experience: Three (3) years of full time professional social casework experience, acquired after the degree in a public or private social services agency, in an area appropriate to the position.
• Education and Training:
  • Bachelor's Degree in one of the human behavioral science fields.
  • An MSW may substitute for 2 years of the required experience.
  • Proof of education, (degree or transcripts,) and license (if candidate has received one) are required.