Children's Services Worker (Intake Worker After Hours)

Children's Services Worker ( Intake Worker After Hours) (3345-12)
Are you interested in serving our community and helping to protect our county's most vulnerable children? At Hamilton County Children's Services, this is what we do every day. We are looking for compassionate, tenacious workers who are dedicated to engaging families and ensuring that children are safe.
Want to learn more about what a caseworker does?
You will support children and families by answering incoming calls to the 241-KIDS hotline from mandated reporters, families and others in the community reporting suspected child maltreatment. You respectfully and thoroughly gather and document information, assist callers with questions and provide information about community resources. You will be responding in the field as needed on emergent reports to assess safety and meet mandated time frames. Your calm demeanor, active listening skills, and clear and professional communication will be an asset in this position.
This is a critical role that directly impacts the outcomes of the children and families whom we serve. This role may be a good fit if you excel in interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and enjoy a fast-paced work environment. This position provides:

• Hybrid work schedule
• Culture promoting growth and learning
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free and close downtown parking for office days

We look forward to learning more about you and your passion for this work! Please see the full job description below.
Be part of our Team! We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a second-chance employer and a recovery friendly workplace.
Highly Competitive Employee Benefits and Generous Paid Time Off
11 Paid Holidays, Immediately Begin Accruing Paid Vacation and Sick Time, Earned Personal Days, and Paid Parental Leave.
Ohio Public Employee Retirement System which includes 14% Employer Contribution AND a defined benefit option.
Highly Competitive and Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, HRA, Dental, Vision, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility, Free On-Site Parking, Wellness Incentives, robust Employee Assistance Program, access to Free Medical and Rx through Marathon Health, plus expansive Behavioral and Mental Health Resources, and More!
STARTING BASE RATE: $26.00
You can increase your hourly base rate of pay for experience up to (8%), MSW (5%), and/or LSW/LISW (2%).
DEADLINE TO APPLY : Open until Filled
WORK LOCATION: Job & Family Services 222 E. Central Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45202
WORK HOURS: Full time - 80 hours biweekly, 4 ten hour shifts per week. Hours may include evenings, weekends and holidays. Current need is mid-shift and second shift weekdays and weekends. (Potential for Hybrid Remote Work Schedule)
NOTE:
Applicants for positions with Hamilton County Job and Family Services are subject to background screening in accordance with the document: "Offenses that May Disqualify Candidates for Employment." Convictions from this list may disqualify a candidate for employment with HCJFS.
Applicants for Children's Services positions cannot provide foster care for children in the custody of Hamilton County.
EDUCATION, LICENSURE, AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in human services-related field or
• Bachelor's degree in any field and has two (2) years' work experience in a human service-related occupation. A bachelor's or master's in a human services-related field would be required within 5 years.
• OR Master's degree in Social Work OR Human Services related degree
• Must have a car, valid driver's license issued by the state of residency, and required auto liability insurance.
• Must have cell phone availability during working hours (Cell phone stipend eligible)

JOB DUTIES (SUMMARY):

• Responds in the field in accordance with the priority of the report and mandated time frames. Conducts face to face interviews with all children in the household of assessment, parent/caregiver(s) and alleged maltreater(s) to make a decision regarding child safety.
• Assessment shall include pertinent information collection from all parties regarding alleged maltreatment, surrounding circumstances, adult and child functioning, parenting practices, and discipline to ensure an accurate safety determination. Visits are conducted in homes, schools, hospitals, and other community settings as required

• Completes intake assessment of reports alleging child maltreatment by telephone and/or face-to-face contact. Collects sufficient information regarding the alleged maltreatment, surrounding circumstances, adult and child functioning, parenting practices and discipline. Utilizes interpersonal skills to professionally and respectfully engage each individual in sharing behaviorally-specific and detailed information. Responsible for information collection through hospitals, law enforcement, etc. to complete an assessment of child safety. Completes intake assessment on reports of elder abuse and/or neglect by telephone and face to face contact.
• Researches previous agency history, criminal history, court involvement and other applicable information providing a comprehensive summary for all individuals associated with report. Maintain written documentation of assessment activities.
• Clinically evaluates information obtained creating a screening recommendation by identifying the presence or absence of Present or Impending Danger threats or alleged maltreatment and/or a need for agency involvement. Review presence or absence of safety threat(s) in consultation with Intake Supervisor. Implement necessary safety intervention when applicable.
• Prepares Request for Legal Action and provides court testimony.
• Completes appropriate jurisdictional referrals to other Public Child Welfare agencies or law enforcement agencies as required. Participates in required Unit Meetings and Agency Trainings as required.
• Performs other related duties as required. Attends required training and unit meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (*Indicates can be developed after employment)

• Knowledge of: ORC/OAC as relevant to Children's Services Practice, Intake & Screening Policy and Procedure*; office practices and procedures; agency policies and procedures; government structure and process;* interviewing; child welfare practices and procedures; safety decision making.
• Skill in: Strength based approach when engaging children and families; interpretation and application of training, instructional and procedural materials; professionally handling crisis and stressful situations.
• Ability to: Professionally and respectfully communicate, analyze and draw conclusion from informed information collection, understand manuals and verbal instructions technical in nature; prepare meaningful, concise and accurate written reports; handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with officials and general public; maintain confidentially, work cooperatively with other agency staff and supervisors.

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None
PHYSICAL and/or MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Lift and carry children, child car seats, and/or infant carrier;
• Frequently walk to and from court;
• Frequently climbing and descending stairs;
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time;
• Frequently stooping, bending, crouching;
• Frequently lift and carry large case files and occasionally push a cart containing case files.

HAZARDOUS and/or WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Potentially hazardous/dangerous situations which could involve upset/violent clients
• Animals or insects in family homes
• This position requires some tasks that must be completed in the HCJFS offices, in court, or in the field; it is not eligible for full-time telework.

BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED:
Background checks consistent with requirements in OAC 5101:2-5-09 must be completed at employment and every ten years following, including but not limited to the following systems:

• State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)
• State Child/Abuse Neglect Central Registry Check for any state in which the applicant resided within the last five years
• Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification Investigation (BCI)
• FBI
• National Sex Offender Public website (WWW.NSOPW.Gov) Code 5101:2-5-09 must be conducted for each prospective employee