Hotline Caseworker Jobs

Our Mission: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence and stability of individuals and families.
Our Vision: To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)
ACDHS uses an integrated Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design, continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long term stability and sustainability.
The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse and building strong communities.
ACDHS has an opening for a Hotline Caseworker working for the Child and Adult Protection Services (CAPS) Division. The CAPS Division provides protective services to children and teens, as well as foster care, adoption, adolescent services, teen parent programs and other services that help create strong, effective families.
The Hotline Caseworker, in the intake screening unit, receives all intake referrals to the Department for child abuse/neglect, adult abuse/neglect/exploitation, youth services and any other crisis situations involving this population. The purpose of the position is to gather complete, accurate information from reporting parties to make an initial assessment of the information to arrive at an appropriate case disposition.
Notes:

• This position is Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM shift.

Receives incoming calls of a crisis nature and determines the problem and gravity of the crisis being reported. Gather all the needed information utilizing the expanded screening questioning to make an initial assessment of a case, determine safety issues present, what services are required, what community referrals are needed on the case, and what additional information is needed to arrive at a case disposition. Provide support and counseling until matter can be dispositioned by a supervisor and/or RED Team.
Completes thorough record checks on all reports received. This includes extensive computer capabilities, and knowledge of state and county systems, including Trails, CBMS, Colorado Courts, etc.
Provides community resources and information via telephone and emails, processes police and school reports received, and prioritizes follow-up on such reports, etc.
Completes follow-up work and callbacks requested by RED Team to obtain more information to influence disposition determination.
Attends and participates in RED Teams on a routine basis.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Skills and Abilities:
Basic understanding of social casework principles and methods, demonstrate knowledge of dynamics of child abuse/neglect; adult abuse/neglect/exploitation; adolescent development and the dynamics of the process of aging/development. This includes an awareness of cultural issues, child development, parent/child conflict and psychiatric and medical problems.
Must have knowledge of agency and state rules; regulations and procedures as well as knowledge of effective parenting methods and maladaptive family dynamics.
Ability to read and process information verbal and written as well as elicit information from callers in a timely and accurate manner is required. Skill in obtaining accurate and clear information that is utilized to make decisions effecting client's health, safety and well-being is also necessary. Skill in concise verbal and written information and skill in relating to clients and reporters in an emotionally supportive manner during crisis situations is required.
Knowledge of community resources that interface with Department's responsibilities to ensure appropriate disposition of referrals and that resources given, address the identified problem areas.
Ability to assess immediate crisis situations and establish a plan of action with minimal supervision to ensure the immediate safety of children and adults. Must be able to exercise independent judgment and decision making skills in the supervisor's absence, to include following all agency policies and procedures.
Ability to remain calm, organized and in control of stressful situations to ensure that information is complete, accurate and clear and to remain calm and able to prioritize crisis caseload.
Behavioral Competencies:
Service First
Excellent Quality
Responsive Government
Visionary Thinking
Innovation
Caring Leadership
Effective Communication
Fiscal Responsibility
Integrity
Respect for Others
Safety
Teamwork

• Foreign language courses
• Anthropology courses relevant to cultural development and history, linguistic development, and communications. Physical anthropology courses do not count toward minimum requirements.
• History courses relevant to family and cultural development
• Counseling
• Child Development
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Criminal Justice courses relevant to child welfare. This includes courses covering topics in juvenile justice, family law, family conflict, general court procedures, interviewing techniques, dispute resolution, and mediation.
• Social Work

Must pass a criminal pre-employment background and motor vehicle check and a post-employment fingerprint check.
This position is a Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM shift.
The salary grade listed is the full salary range for the Hotline Caseworker position. Please note that the hiring salary will typically be near the lower end of the pay range listed.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch
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Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (i.e. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627. Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt uploading (attaching) it.

BENEFITS:As a Regular Full-Time employee at Arapahoe County Government, you are eligible for benefits such as:

• Holiday pay
• Training and Educational Reimbursement Opportunities
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Mandatory Pension Plan
• Pre-paid Legal Services
• Vacation and Sick Leaves