Job Description

Becoming a Caseworker I or Social Service Worker at the Utah Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) can be a life changing event! If you have a social work background; a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Education and Promotion, or related field (or will by the time this position is hired); and a passion to work with children and families, Child & Family Services is the place for you. Together we can make a difference through service!
Click here to see a Caseworker at Work

This recruitment will be used to fill Caseworker I and/or Social Service Worker positions at any DCFS office in Utah County which includes Provo, American Fork, Orem, or Salem, Utah.

This position may be filled as a Caseworker I or Social Service Worker depending on your qualifications.

CASEWORKER I: Pay: $20.00. A Bachelor's Degree, or higher, in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Family and Human Development, Criminal Justice or a closely related field is preferred. A Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in Health Education and Promotion is also preferred.

SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER (SSW): Pay: $22.21. Requires an active Social Service Worker License or a higher, related license (Certified Social Worker, LCSW, etc.) from the State of Utah.

Principle Duties
DCFS Caseworkers and Social Service Workers work to keep children with their own families whenever safely possible by assessing their and their families' needs, getting them connected to available resources, and conducting in-home services of appropriate intensity and duration. They work to reunify children who have been removed from their homes whenever possible or find enduring safety and permanency for them through alternative options. To accomplish this, caseworkers and/or social service workers work closely with DCFS Lead Workers and complete DCFS Practice Model Training while performing the following tasks:

• Investigating reports of abuse, exploitation, and/or neglect; assessing risks, strengths, barriers; and determining appropriate actions governing a client's situation.
• Writing and implementing child and family service plans.
• Coordinating and referring services to children and families offered by community resources, placement providers, collateral agencies, the courts, and community partners.
• Orchestrating individual, family, or group therapy sessions that coincide with established treatment plans and providing crisis intervention if necessary.
• Presiding over visits between parents and children, monitoring behavior, reporting observational notes and concerns to appropriate professional/clinical staff, and updating case files.
• Conducting in-home visits.
• Testifying in court or hearings regarding actions, findings, procedures, and protocols.
• Preparing detailed case documentation that includes: intake records, investigation summaries, risk assessment social summaries, needs assessments, service plans, case history, and activity logs.
• May include performing 24-hour-on-call services as needed under supervisor's direction.

The Ideal - Caseworker I

• Understands human development across the lifespan, and resources in the community, and has the ability to provide support and interventions in a culturally responsive way.
• Has four years of full-time education related to working with children, parents, and/or families or a combination of education and experience to equal four years.

The Ideal - Social Service Worker

• Holds an SSW or higher or higher licensure in good standing (required by statute UCA58-60-103).
• Understands human development across the lifespan, and resources in the community, and has the ability to provide support and interventions in a culturally responsive way.
• Has four years of full-time education related to working with children, parents, and/or families or a combination of education and experience to equal four years.

Preference

• May be given to candidates who are 21 years of age or older.
• May be given to candidates who have a high school diploma or GED.

Qualifying work experience

• Employment with DHHS, residential youth or adult program, domestic violence or homeless shelter, any agency providing mental or behavioral health services, a public or private school in an educational or social work-related role, foster or kinship provider, contracted DHHS service provider, or other fields closely related to child welfare.
• If work experience was not full-time, the equivalent must be calculated in comparison to full-time. For example, two years of half-time work would be equivalent to one year of full-time work.

Why You Should Join Our Team
Become an integral part of a Utah Division working together to keep children safe and strengthen families in our communities. Experience a sense of achievement for a job well done and enjoy work life balance! We offer great health benefits and retirement plans, generous paid time off, and a balanced work schedule to afford quality time spent with your family. Click here to see what makes working for the State of Utah awesome: Compensation & Benefits.

The Division
The goal of Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is to have communities where children grow up safe from abuse, neglect and dependency, where adults are protected from domestic violence, and where parents can be strengthened in their capacity to keep their family safe. For more information about DCFS click here.

Supplemental Information

• Travel required; you may be required to use your personal vehicle to perform the duties of this position; approved mileage is reimbursable through State Finance.
• All DCFS job offers are contingent upon passing a Background Screening Application (BSA).

Physical Requirements

• Moderate - Some of the work performed requires some physical exertion. You may be required to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend; crouch; stoop; stretch; reach; lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.), e.g. lifting a small child in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.

Working Conditions

• You will be exposed to risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Some special risks which may require the use of special safety precautions, for example, you may be entering clients homes and possibly working around contagious diseases, such as parasitic infections caused by head lice, bed bugs, scabies, etc. or illegal substances, etc.