Social Worker - Ongoing Child Protection

Salary: $68,057.60 - $113,651.20 Annually
Location : Rochester, MN
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Department: Child & Family Services
Opening Date: 10/10/2024
Closing Date: 10/23/2024 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Hours of Work: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Union: Employees Association
Olmsted County has earned the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work - Southeast Minnesota designation.
Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience
Expected starting salary $32.72 to $43.68. Full salary range $32.72 to $54.64.
Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver's license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.
Desirable Qualifications:
Two years of social service related experience.
Nature of Work
Under general supervision of a program manager or supervisor, and within State and locally developed programs and policies, responds to concerns from individuals, families and the community regarding the safety and well-being of children. Under guidance of State Statute and Rule, and group decision making, determine responses to reported concerns and possible interventions to support the child and family.
Examples of Work

• Speaks with clients/collateral contacts in initial phone calls or face to face contact to identify alleged child maltreatment concerns. This includes gathering comprehensive information to help with screening/decision making.
• Uses SSIS, (Social Services Information System) complete an intake and accurately document information gathered to support screening decisions.
• Speaks with clients/collateral contacts to gather balanced information to refer families to the appropriate Child Welfare program to support the family.
• Responds to situations in the community to assist families, law enforcement and other community professional with immediate concern for child safety/neglect (ie.safety planning, locating family and mediating conflict).
• Assists other child protection agencies in meeting required time frames for initial contact and completed courtesy interviews when requested.
• Attends daily screening team to provide input into screening decisions made on child maltreatment reports.
• Advises clients/collateral contacts of possible resources, rights, and responsibilities under programs or services.
• Refers clients to other programs or agencies when appropriate.
• Works with natural supports and family group decision making.
• Prepares correspondence reports and maintains case records in accordance with state, federal and local guidelines.
• Provides coverage Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm for screening reports of possible child maltreatment and responds to concerns regarding the wellbeing and safety of children.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of family-based services/family dynamics/ family group conferencing.
• Knowledge of child protection and child welfare problems and services.
• Knowledge of mental health programs and services.
• Thorough knowledge of principles, methods and techniques of social work.
• Knowledge and appreciation for impact of secondary stress reaction, including ability to exercise self-care strategies.
• Considerable knowledge of dynamics of individual and family behavior.
• Considerable knowledge of human growth and development.
• Considerable knowledge of the use of community resources.
• Knowledge of social and economic problems.
• Knowledge of federal and state social services programs and laws.
• Knowledge of agency policies.
• Knowledge of diverse cultures.
• Ability to use counseling techniques effectively on an individual, family, or group basis.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with clients, co-workers, public officials, and citizens of the community.

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: In compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the Physical and Environmental Demands:
Function:
24% or Less
25% - 49%
50%-74%
75% or more
Office environment
X
Lab/hospital environment
X
Clinical environment
X
Community visits
X
Exposure to needle sticks/sharps exposure
X
Exposure to human blood/pathogens/body fluids
X
Exposure to atmospheric conditions, weather, extreme heat/cold, wet and/or humid
X
Sitting
X
Standing, walking, reaching, pulling, climbing, handling, feeling
X
Repetitive hand movements, typing/data entry
X
Talking, hearing
X
Operate vehicle
X
Close vision
X
Distance vision
X
Sedentary (exert up to 10 pounds of force)
X
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Provisional employees are eligible for benefits if employment is projected to be 12 months or longer and work at least 40 hours per pay period.
This document is a brief Summary of Benefits for Olmsted County Employees on the Paid Time Off Program.
Paid Time Off
Employees over .5 FTE accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) based on their length of service as follows:
First year to 5 years of service - accrue up to 23 days
6 to 10 years of service - accrue up to 25 days
11 to 15 years of service - accrue up to 27.5 days
16 to 20 years of service - accrue up to 30 days
21 to 26 years of service - accrue up to 32.5 days
Over 26 years of service - accrue up to 35 days
Employees begin accruing PTO on their first day of work and can use it as soon as accrued with supervisor approval.
Flexible Leave Time
All regular, full-time employees and part-time employees who are scheduled to work at least twenty (20) hours or more per week on an ongoing basis shall receive up to 24 hours (prorated by FTE) of paid FTL at their regular base pay each calendar year.
Commencement of Employment # of FLT Hours
Between January 1 and June 30 24 Hours
Between July 1 and August 31 16 Hours
Between September 1 and November 30 8 Hours
Between December 1 and December 31 0 Hours
Paid Holidays
Olmsted County recognizes the following legal holidays:
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (4 hours when December 24th falls on a Monday - Thursday only), Christmas Day
Employee Health and Insurance Benefits
Health, Dental, Basic Life, Health Care Spending Account and Dependent Care Spending Account become effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
Health Insurance
The self-insured Olmsted County Employees' Health Plan is administered by Medica. Under the plan, eligible employees and their dependents have access to all providers in the Medica Health Plan Solutions network, including Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center. Members have access to a travel network through First Health.
The plan offers a comprehensive preventive care program to help protect the health of employees and their dependents, flat dollar co-payments for office visits and emergency room visits, e-visit coverage, 80% co-insurance on most services (after deductible) and a 24-hour health information services line staffed with experienced Medica nurses 365 days a year.
There is a base in-network deductible of $1,375/person, $4,125/family with the opportunity to earn up to four $250 rewards to lower the deductible to a minimum of $375/person, $1,125/family. In-network out-of-pocket maximum is $2,800/employee, $5,600/family.
Coverage is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
The monthly rates for healthcare coverage are as follows:
Health Insurance Rates
Single health coverage monthly cost to the employee is $110.00 per month or $55.00 per pay period. Employee Plus One coverage monthly cost to the employee is $546.00 per month or $273.00 per pay period. Family coverage monthly cost to the employee is $690.00 per month or $345 per pay period.
Nice Healthcare
Nice Healthcare is an additional healthcare option for employees on our health plan. The plan includes virtual and in-home care, primary care, convenient medication delivery, lab work and diagnostics, and comprehensive family care. Coverage is available for employees on the health plan (and their benefits-eligible dependents) all at no cost to employees.
Prescription Drug Plan
The Olmsted County Employees' Health Plan prescription drug benefit is part of the health plan and is administered by Alluma. Covered prescrip-tions are based on the Alluma Formulary. The plan contracts with Express Scripts to provide a national network. This allows members to receive prescriptions conveniently at home, or across the country, for the same co-insurance amount. Retail prescriptions have a 25% co-insurance (34-day supply) with a $5 minimum and $200 maximum charge. Mail order prescriptions have a 22% co-insurance with a $5 minimum and a $500 maximum charge. Both retail and mail order prescriptions apply toward an annual $2,400/person ($4,800/family) out of pocket limit.
Dental Insurance
The Olmsted County Dental Plan is self-insured and administered by Delta Dental. Coverage includes Diagnostic & Preventive Services - 100%; Basic Services - 80%; Major Restorative Services - 50%; and Orthodontics - 50%. Lifetime maximum for Orthodontics is $1,500 per eligible dependent child. Diagnostic and Preventive Services do not apply to the yearly individual maximum benefit of $1,500. There is a $50 deductible per family member per year, with a maximum of $150 per family. The deductible does not apply for Diagnostic and Preventive Services.
Coverage is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
Single dental coverage monthly cost to the employee is $0.00 per month. Employee Plus One coverage monthly cost to the employee is $19.00 per month or $9.50 per pay period. Family coverage monthly cost to the employee is $47.00 per month or $23.50 per pay period.
Life Insurance
The County paid Basic Life Plan is group term guaranteed issue life insurance up to two times employee's annual salary rounded to the nearest $1,000 to a maximum of $300,000. Olmsted County also pays 100 percent of enrolled dependent coverage costs for the following life benefits:
Spouse: $2,000
Children up to age 26: $1,250
Voluntary Life Insurance
The cost of employee and spouse Voluntary Life Insurance coverage is determined by age and the amount of coverage. This coverage would be in addition to what employees receive under the Basic Life Plan.
New employees who enroll within 30 days of eligibility may select up to $250,000 in life insurance coverage and up to $50,000 for their spouse without answering any health questions. Employees may apply for additional life insurance in $5,000 increments up to a maximum of $500,000. Spouses may apply for additional life insurance in $5,000 increments up to a maximum of $250,000.
New employees can also elect child life insurance without having to answer any health questions. The cost of life insurance is $1.30 per month, regardless of the number of children covered. The coverage amount is $10,000 per child.
PERA Life Insurance
Employees can purchase guaranteed issue group term life insurance coverage through the Voluntary Group Life Plan with the National Conference on Public Employees Retirement Systems (NCPERS) in which Olmsted County is a participant. It is underwritten by The Prudential Insurance Company of America and administered by Member Benefits.
Cost is $16.00 per month with no medical questions asked.
Short Term Disability Insurance
The County provides a short-term disability benefit of 80 percent pay replacement for up to 150 calendar days based on medical need. Short-term disability benefits are effective on the 181st calendar day of employment and are pro-rated based on the eligible employee's Full Time Equivalence (FTE).
Long Term Disability Insurance
The County provides 40 percent pay replacement coverage.
Employees have the option to purchase an additional 26 2/3 percent pay replacement coverage for a total of 66 2/3 percent. Long-term disability benefits are effective on the 181st calendar day of employment.
Employee Assistance Program
Deer Oaks, Olmsted County's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), is a confidential service to help employees and their families address work and life issues. Online and telephone resources are available 24/7/365.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees have the option of using one or both flexible spending accounts provided through Olmsted County to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and day care expenses with pretax dollars.
Health Care Spending Account limit is $3,050.
Dependent Care Spending Account limit is $5,000.
Blood Assurance Program
A Volunteer Blood Donor Program through Mayo Clinic Blood Bank is available to employees. It covers the employee and family for all red blood cell products.
Workers Compensation
All employees are covered by Workers Compensation insurance while performing County business.
Retirement
Olmsted County and employees pay into the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) as follows:
General Plan: Employee Share is 6.50%, County Share is 7.50%
Police & Fire Plan: Employee Share is 11.80%, County Share is 17.70%
Correctional Plan: Employee Share is 5.83%, County Share is 8.75%
General Plan members pay into both PERA and Social Security.
Deferred Compensation Plans
Olmsted County employees may choose to participate in Deferred Compensation Plans (457 Plans) offered through: Empower Retirement Services, VOYA Financial, Nationwide Retirement Solutions, and Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan.
Years of Service Awards
Olmsted County recognizes employees for milestones in their years of service (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and above).
Direct Deposit
All employees are paid bi-weekly. Employees' paychecks are electronically deposited directly into employees' bank accounts, avoiding situations like late checks or inconvenient trips to the bank.
United Way Donation
If an employee requests, the County will deduct contributions to United Way through payroll deduction.
Staff Development Program
The Staff Development Program offers courses online and in the classroom. The purpose is to train and retain employees through educational opportunities.
Tuition Reimbursement
Olmsted County offers tuition reimbursement for college courses of 80% or $3,000 (whichever is less) per year with prior approval from supervisor and Human Resources for job-related courses.
Olmsted County has partnered with Saint Mary's University to offer employees a 10% tuition grant and waived application fee for qualifying classes.
As a Local Government, Olmsted County is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act. Go to StudentAid.Gov to learn more about this program and see if you qualify.
Credit Union
Employees are invited to join the First Alliance Credit Union. For more information, call the Credit Union at (507) 288-0330 or (800) 866-1999.
Parking/Transit Plan
Parking for Government Center employees is available employee parking lots. The County supports public transportation. Employees who ride the bus to and from work and during work hours are offered subsidized bus passes.
Jury Duty
Employees required to report for jury duty or attend a trial in response to a subpoena will do so without loss of income. Employees will receive their regular pay during their court service.
01
I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Supplemental Questions sections of my application. This includes a detailed description of all work experience that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions.

• I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score which may make me ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment process.

02
You must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the Lead Social Worker position. Please select the answer that best describes your education and experience.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in a similar position as listed in the work functions.
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of experience in a similar position as listed in the work functions.
• No related education and/or experience as listed above

03
Please indicate how many years of paid work experience you have had working in a human service, school or community setting with children and families of different racial/ethnic backgrounds.

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 2
• More than 2 years, but less than 3
• More than 3 years, but less than 4
• More than 4 years, but less than 5
• 5 or more years

04
How many years of paid experience do you have providing services to people living in poverty?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 2
• More than 2 years, but less than 3
• More than 3 years, but less than 4
• More than 4 years, but less than 5
• 5 or more years

05
Are you fluent in any of the following languages: Spanish, Somali, and/or Arabic?

• Yes
• No

Required Question