SOCIAL WORKER/CASE MANAGER

Nature of Work:

A Social Worker or Case Manager is responsible for providing professional social services to adults and/or families in a wide variety of program areas including mental health, chemical dependency, family facilitation; developmentally disabled/vulnerable adult, childcare/child and adult foster care; Child Welfare; Child Protection; and intake support services.  Duties and activities include but are not limited to: assessment; formulating client treatment/service plans; conducting case management activities; performing crisis intervention and safety planning; referral services; assessment and family group conferences; and other social service activities in accordance with program requirements, regulations, statutes, mandates, department guidelines, procedures and data privacy requirements.

Communicates with:

Internally – All HHS staff.

Externally – State/county/city entities and public.

Supervision:

None

Essential Work Functions:                                     

• Conducts comprehensive initial and on-going assessment interviews to evaluate individuals/families’ physical, economic, educational, and mental background; develops case plans and makes recommendation and referrals for clients in assigned program areas.
• Gathers and compiles evidence and data required to complete documentation for court petitions, and dispositional review hearings. 
• Conducts regular assessments and maintains regular client contact via phone, home visits, office visits, or site visits with other agencies involved in the case plan.
• Implements solutions and interventions which includes monitoring and evaluating clients’ progress in meeting goals and expectations of the case plan; prepares and maintains progress reports.
• Maintains detailed documentation of clients’ participation in case records, on-going case narratives; compiles data for various reports, summaries, and memos; completes mandated State and local forms and adheres to program deadlines.
• Assesses for safety and risk and provide follow-up on potential abuse or neglect situations according to timelines established in Statute, Rule, and Policy. Develop safety plans to address the assessed need and coordinate with applicable parties.
• Uses a person-centered approach to determine service needs, eligibility, and refers for to applicable services.

Other Work Functions

• Performs related work as required.
• Coordinate with other positions within the department for client services, community agencies, and collaboratives.
• Attend mandated trainings and continuing education/ training opportunities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience:

• Requires a four-year degree in a Human Services related field.
• One (1) year of experience required.
• Ability to pass all position required background(s) and testing(s). 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social work and the ability to apply them.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of social casework objectives, principles, and methods.
• Knowledge of social-economic factors, which promote stable family life and understanding of the elements, which affect family security.
• Knowledge of the principles of community organization.
• Knowledge of physical and mental illnesses.
• Knowledge of social welfare research methods.
• Knowledge of family systems and dynamics.
• Ability to effectively apply casework knowledge and skills.
• Working ability to work constructively within an agency in the community setting and in effectively utilizing appropriate resources and services.
• Ability to work constructively in the development and coordination of community resources to meet special needs.
• Ability to manage time productively.
• Ability to prioritize caseloads.
• Valid MN driver’s license.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Highly self-motivated and directed.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Able to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Persons with disabilities:

The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodation 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: