Social Worker

General Job Information

Job Summary

Social Workers are responsible for providing the full range of direct, professional social work services to children and families who come to the attention of the CFSA due to concerns of abuse and neglect.

Administrations:

Investigations- This administration plays an important role in responding to a variety of child abuse and neglect allegations. This administration takes decisive and appropriate actions when a child needs protection, analyzes information from community partners, family members and sister agencies to determine whether children are safe from abuse and refer families to services to improve their functioning.

In-Home Clinical Case Management and Support- This administration plays an important role in safety and improved well-being for the majority of families that have experienced an episode of abuse or neglect. Case management and case planning services are provided in the family home and in the community.

Out of Home Clinical Case Management and Support- This administration plays an important role in supporting families in which children have been removed from their caregivers and are now placed in a foster care. The administration provides supportive services to parents, and children, with the goal of returning children to their parents through reunification in all cases where it is safe. If reunification is not an option, the team then works to find a permanent home through adoption or guardianship. Case management and case planning services are provided in the family home, in the resource home, at Court, and in the community.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Social Worker duties and responsibilities include:

Investigations

• Provides a variety of child welfare casework services to children and to families to investigate, assess and re-mediate situations, allegations and reports.
• Conducts home visits to assess strengths and needs of families; gathers information from collateral sources; reviews pertinent information; makes appropriate referrals.
• Responds to crisis situations and intervenes to address immediate problems.
• Petitions the Court, with support from the Office of the Attorney General, if a child must be separated from a family.
• Partners with in-home to transfer a family from investigation to ongoing case management when children are safe in the home but families are in need of services and supports.
• Utilize clinical case management skills, to include Motivational Interviewing, to address social, environmental, emotional and medical needs of families and children.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

In Home and Out of Home Case Management

• Provides case management services to families, children and youth, both individually and in groups.
• Provides assistance in seeking employment, housing, financial assistance and other services for parents and youth in care.
• Develop and support families through case plans that address the specific needs of the family.
• Conducts monthly in person visits with parents, children in resource homes, and ensure that children maintain family connections through sibling visits and time with their parents.
• Prepares case plans, safety plans and court reports.
• Attend Court hearings, consult with attorneys and facilitate case planning meetings. Maintain up to date case records and complete all documentation within 24 hrs of contact with families.
• Utilizes clinical case management skills, to include Motivational Interviewing, to address social, environmental, emotional and medical needs of families and children .
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Education, and Licensures

• All grades require a valid District driver's license or it's state equivalent and the ability to drive government vehicles.

Grade 9

Must have Bachelor's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Must be a current D.C. Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) and must adhere and meet all the requirements to maintain the D.C. license current to practice social work in the District of Columbia.

• Grade 9 social workers will only be hired for Investigations.

Grade 11

Must have a master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Must possess at least one year of specialized and directly related professional experience equivalent to grade 09 level in the District of Columbia government service or its non-District equivalent that equipped the individual with the thorough knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position including, but are not limited to, attending and/or representing the CFSA at administrative reviews, court hearings, and other meetings; coordinating the implementation of court orders; assisting in determining the appropriateness of established goals, services, and/or permanency planning based on the status findings.

Required to be a current D.C. Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) or a D.C. Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) to practice social work in the District of Columbia.

Grade 12

Must have a master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Must possess at least one year of specialized and directly related professional experience equivalent to grade 11 level in the District of Columbia government service or its non-District equivalent that equipped the individual with the comprehensive knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position including, but are not limited to, representing the CFSA at administrative reviews, court hearings, and other meetings; coordinating the implementation of court orders; determining the appropriateness of established goals, services and/or permanency planning based on the status findings.

Required to be a current D.C. Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) to practice social work in the District of Columbia.

Working Conditions/Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, extreme cold and extreme heat; unsanitary conditions, e.g., spoiled foods, feces, urine, and disease. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than fifty (50) pounds (i.e., child in custody) but this can be adequately alleviated by mechanical devices or its equivalent like stroller. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Significant Factors

Bi-lingual candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Tour of Duty: Day Shift:Monday- Friday: 8:15a.m.- 4:45p.m. May be required to work weekends and holidays depending on the administration you are selected for. Qualified individuals must ensure flexibility as it relates to the Tour of Duty.

Investigations offers other shift options during the mid-day and evening hours.

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in a collective bargaining unit.

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: DS-185-9,11,12

Duration of Appointment: Career Services (CS) - Regular

Salary Range: $69,985 - $87,382 (Grade 9), $79,717 - $100,741 (Grade 11), $89,958- $115,104 (Grade 12)

Promotion Potential: Yes-must have required licensure for next grade. See Qualifications.

Position Designation: This position is designated as "safety" and "essential" per DPMs Chapters 4 (Suitability) and 12 (Essentia/Emergency), respectively. The candidate/incumbent is subject to a criminal background check, traffic records check (as applicable), pre-employment drug and alcohol test, reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test, post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test, random drug and alcohol test, and return-to-duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test.

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming Residency Preference will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Closing Statement: Official Job Offers are made by D.C. Child and Family Services Agency's Human Resources Only.