Social Worker Senior

Senior Social Worker

Ramsey County has multiple openings for Senior Social Worker positions. An eligibility list established through this recruitment may also be used to fill additional vacancies within the department or other county departments. The Senior Social Worker provides consultation, guidance, and support to Child Protection staff in implementing active efforts under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPCWDA). This position partners with workers, families, tribal representatives, and community stakeholders to promote culturally responsive practice, family preservation, and positive outcomes for children and families. Responsibilities include supporting case planning and decision-making, conducting case reviews to assess the application of active efforts, and helping strengthen practice through ongoing quality improvement and staff support.

Adult Protection Social Workers work independently, but within a team of like social workers who are assessing reports of alleged maltreatment of a vulnerable adult. Adult Protection Assessment/Investigation Social Workers conduct assessments and investigations to determine whether maltreatment allegations require protective supports and services coordination.

The Aging & Disability Services Division within the Social Services Department is responsible for administering Home and Community Based Services. The division is comprised of three major functional areas: MnCHOICES Assessment, Entry & Access, and Case Management. It is a priority and expectation of the county and the department to operationalize racial equity across the administration of Home and Community Based Services, as well as grow an organizational culture that is value based: People, Integrity, Community, Equity, and Leadership; and embodies the Mission & Vision of Ramsey County. This Social Worker Senior position serves in a MnCHOICES Assessment unit. This position is for Social Worker Senior who will be providing screening and face to face assessment services using the new MnCHOICES web-based tool for people who are aging or have disabilities.

To provide social work services in a designated area such as children's services (including services to children with intellectual or developmental disabilities, day care licensing, foster care placement services, or state ward services), Adult Services (including services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness services or services to other vulnerable adults), or other service areas (including volunteer services or purchase-of-service case management) by determining service needs, developing service plans, implementing service plans through the provision of counseling, group work, referrals or other services, and monitoring clients' progress; and to perform related duties as assigned. This position is identified under the designation of 'flex work eligible', meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county's flexible workplace policy.

Examples of Work Performed

• Interview adults or children who may have a variety of mental, physical or behavioral dysfunctions to determine service needs.
• Interview other persons or groups closely associated with clients, such as families, school personnel, employers or neighbors to further assess client service needs.
• Evaluate individual/family functioning to develop appropriate case plans and identify treatment objectives and strategies for achieving objectives.
• Determine the likelihood and degree to which clients may be in danger of physical harm and take appropriate action to protect them.
• Investigate reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults within legislated time constraints.
• Coordinate and facilitate use of departmental and community service resources and make appropriate referrals.
• Investigate, document and present information to the County Attorney to petition juvenile, family, probate or criminal court for legal intervention and testify at proceedings.
• Write social histories and case status reports for documentation of service provision for the department, court reviews and for other service providers.
• Determine client needs for residential treatment and select appropriate placement homes or facilities.
• Monitor client progress toward established service goals and determine termination/continuation of service.
• Provide direct counseling and therapeutic intervention services to individuals or groups to improve their levels of mental, social or behavioral functioning at home, work and in the community.
• Transport or arrange for transportation of clients to medical appointments, court hearings, placements and other service programs/facilities.
• Consult with departmental staff, other county departments and community service professionals to develop and provide appropriate and timely services.
• Provide crisis intervention services including referrals to meet emergency needs for housing, food, clothing or financial assistance.
• Evaluate families and their homes for approving licensure to provide day care or foster care services and for adoptions.
• Investigate complaints and revoke or suspend day/foster care licenses when warranted.
• Speak to community groups to present information about programs and to recruit people to provide day care, foster care or various volunteer services.
• Develop techniques and resource materials for use in recruitment.
• Consult with and direct the work of volunteers and student interns.
• Represent the unit/department in committee assignments and interactions with community groups for service provision and program planning.
• Develop and provide training to co-workers and service providers.
• Maintain accurate case records and complete forms for documentation of eligibility, treatment cost reimbursements, service referrals, evaluation of client outcomes and general case management purposes.
• Provide consultation to other social workers on drafting petitions for presentation to court, and represent social workers at court hearings.
• Monitor client compliance with court orders and report this to the court.
• Provide data used to monitor trends and developments relating to client and program needs.
• Provide problem solving consultation to clients, co-workers, service providers and other agencies.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a social/behavioral science, or equivalent; and any combination of 23 additional credits or 230 continuing education hours in fields relating to social work.

Experience: Five years' social work experience or equivalent.

Substitutions: Experience as a Ramsey County Case Aide Senior may substitute for general social work experience on the basis that two years Case Aide Senior experience equals one year of general social work experience. A maximum of six years Ramsey County Case Aide Senior experience can be substituted for general social work experience. A Master's Degree in Social Work may substitute for two years of the experience requirement or a Master's Degree in a related social/behavioral science may substitute for one year of the experience requirement.

Certification/Licensure: None

Exam/Screening Process Information

Upload Unofficial Transcripts to be considered

Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Social Worker Senior will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions - do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" do not cut and paste resume as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination. Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Social Worker Senior. The list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for three months or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted. The names of all applicants who pass the examination with a score of 35 or higher will be forwarded to the department for further consideration.

Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application. Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment. E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against