Social Services Worker 2 - PCN #14007

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Has primary responsibility for Adult Protective Services (APS) program. Receives & investigates reports of alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly adults (i.e.: interviews in person or by phone, in office & in the field, assesses risk & need & determines &/or makes recommendation of interventions within scope of law & applicable standards); conducts intensive interventions counseling with protective service customers & their families; formulates plans by which needed assistance may be obtained, makes referrals &/or arrangements for assistance; maintains case with periodic follow-up’s as specified. Prepares & presents cases for court intervention when determined appropriate (i.e. completes court required paperwork & documentation & timely files or presents same in court, testifies, works &/or consults with County Prosecutors’ Office); provides, makes arrangements for &/or coordinates specific protective services as determined or court ordered (i.e. maintains knowledge of & relationship with social, mental health & medical services for adults); maintains case files (i.e. written or electronic records & documentation of all referrals received, investigation & related case activity as required by law or agency procedures). Serves as agency liaison to the community re: elder abuse (i.e.: provides information by phone or in person, attends meetings to provide information, coordinates with community programs to identify & resolve elders’ needs).

Additional responsibilities include:

Responds to incoming agency calls & in-person visits to gather and document thorough information pertaining to allegations of child and elder abuse, neglect and/or dependency provided by the community in order for a screening decision maker to determine agency response for investigation of the allegations in accordance with State & Federal laws, rules & regulations & within best practice standards. Completes appropriate investigation referral forms and enters data as appropriate in the required systems. Answers inquiries received in person & by telephone to provide information regarding agency procedures & child welfare reporting & investigation processes. Maintains records on activities in manner specified by law, rule or supervisor.

Assists in the location of social service programs (e.g.: housing, mental health, crisis intervention, food assistance, etc.) by making collateral contacts & referrals internally & externally to agency staff, other agencies & community resources in accordance with State & Federal laws, rules & regulations. Assists staff by completing routine correspondence & forms, filing, processing forms & court orders, copying, & answering general inquiries on the phone & in person.

Investigates claims of abuse and neglect of children AND/OR maintains caseload of children/families who have previously been determined to require the protective assistance of the services of the agency (i.e., ongoing clients) as determined appropriate AND/OR manages caseload of foster care and/or adoption assessment and placements.

Must be available for assignment in the on-call schedule rotation to provide 24-hour emergency social worker services (e.g., on weekends, holidays, after business hours); attends & participates in evening appointments & meetings.

Remains informed of current procedures pertinent to duties; participates in staff development activities; attends meetings, training & conferences as assigned by director or designee to meet & maintain agency, state & federal training standards or mandates.

Maintains regular & predictable attendance.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Any other duties as assigned by the director or designee

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHILDREN SERVICES CASEWORKER POSITIONS:

Per Section 5153.112 of the Ohio Revised Code, applicants of a Public Children Services unit must have one of the following:

• A bachelor’s degree in human services-related studies, or
• A bachelor’s degree in any field and have been employed for at least two years in a human services occupation, or
• An associate’s degree in human services-related studies, or
• Been employed for at least five years in a human service-related occupation.

For employment to continue, a person described in Option 2, 3, or 4 above must obtain a job-related bachelor’s degree not later than five years after the date of employment with the agency commences.

NOTE: All liability and responsibility for determining “human services-related studies” or “human services-related occupation” rests with the employing agency.

Per Section 5153.122 of the Ohio Revised Code, each caseworker shall complete at least one hundred and two (102) hours of in-service training during the first year of the caseworker’s continuous employment, consisting of courses in recognizing and preventing child abuse and neglect, assessing risks, interviewing persons, investigating cases, intervening, providing services to children and their families, and other topics relevant to child abuse and neglect. After the first year of continuous employment, each caseworker annually shall complete thirty-six hours of training in areas relevant to the caseworker’s assigned duties.

The applicant must have a valid driver’s license, required auto insurance, and an acceptable motor vehicle report.

• State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)
• Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification Investigation (BCI) / FBI
• Local Law Enforcement

SCOJFS is seeking qualified individuals who are interested in making a positive impact for children and families in the communities of Hocking, Ross and Vinton Counties. Please consider joining our team!

In addition to a rewarding career, the agency offers a full benefits package.

SCOJFS Benefits:

• Competitive Pay
• Opportunities for career advancement within a broad range of service areas
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Bereavement, Personal, Sick and Vacation Time Off
• Group Health Insurance plans, with optional dental and vision coverage available
• Wellness Program and Incentives
• Optional Flexible Health Spending Account
• Employer paid Employee Assistance Program
• Employer paid $10,000 life insurance policy
• Additional Supplemental Life Insurance Options
• Eligible Employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Enrollment in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
• Options to enroll in one or both of the available Deferred Compensation Plans
• Flexible schedules are available to most positions

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to complete the online application on the SCOJFS career page. Please visit our website at scojfs.org to learn more. (Job opportunities are listed under Administration/About SCOJFS.)

You may click on the link below to apply now!

SCOJFS Job Opportunities

SCOJFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact the SCOJFS Human Resources Department at 740-772-7630 or scojfshr@jfs.ohio.gov.