County Agency Social Worker - Freeborn County

Salary: $35.09 - $46.78 Hourly
Location : Freeborn County, Albert Lea, MN
Job Type: Full Time Permanent
Job Number: 011-24
County: Freeborn County Department Human Services
Opening Date: 09/22/2026
Closing Date: 10/9/2026 12:00 PM Central


Classification Summary


County Department of Human Services is hiring a full time (40 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) Social Worker/Case Manager Developmental Disabilities/Adult Services/Adult Protection positionThis position is eligible for sick leave, vacation, holidays, health insurance, and pension benefits through PERA.

The Social Worker-Developmental Disabilities/Adult Services/Adult Protection position provides professional level counseling and consultation and administers a variety of social services to individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and mental illness. This position is also responsible for investigating vulnerable adult mistreatment and abuse and administers a variety of socials services to County residents in need.
Application Instructions are in the Examination Process section below.

Examples of Duties


Freeborn County Examples of Duties:
(Note: these are characteristic of the job class, but actual duties will vary depending on assigned duties. An individual incumbent will perform selected duties from this list).
- Meets with clients to provide on-going support, counseling, and assessment to assist in determining needs, strength, and goals.
-Investigates Adult Protection Reports.
-Conducts screening, determines program eligibility, and refers clients to a variety of support services such as drug treatment, family counseling, mental/emotional counseling, parenting skills development, residential programs, rehabilitation programs and work programs.
-Works closely with other County and State departments and law enforcement to investigate problems and determine needs in the overall administration of social services and mental health to community members, which includes petitioning the court, protective supervision, guardianship, permanency, implementing court orders, and reporting to the court.
-Interviews and assesses the social service needs of children with mental health needs and their families. of a variety of clients such as drug dependents, children in need and families.
-Refers clients to a variety of support services to address mental health needs; which may include individual psychotherapy, parenting education, and other advocacy with other systems.
-Collaborates with other community agencies and resources and refers clients. Identifies available and develops new resources.
-Conducts screening intakes.
-Develops and writes case plans, documents client performance by maintaining timely and accurate case notes and functional assessments, monitors and evaluates the quality and appropriateness of treatments.
-Provides after hours and on-call response. Performs on-call duties, as needed.
-Interprets policies and regulations to clients and their families.
-Provides client transportation to field trips and home.
-Works closely with other county departments to collaborate on determining needs in the overall administration of mental health services.
-Organizes and provides public education, community outreach, and public relations. Attends community meetings, networking and regional social worker and public health meetings, as needed. Determines needs, develops formats, arranges locations, and makes group presentations.
-Prepares and maintains a variety of records and paperwork ensuring compliance with federal, state and agency requirements. Reports all actions in SSIS computer software.
-Meets with child protection team and other staff meetings to consult on cases, discuss procedure updates, and review changes within the agency.
-Maintains training/educational competencies and own professional development.
-Works with other County and State departments.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducts Long term care and disability assessments to determine program eligibility and refer clients to a variety of support services such as: residential programs, vocational programs, guardianship services, medical and mental health services, residential treatment providers, vocational rehabilitation providers, representative payee agencies and fiscal support entities.
- Meeting with clients to develop case plans, provide on-going support, counseling and assessment to assist in determining needs, strengths and goals.
- Conduct client/guardian evaluation of services.
- General knowledge of Rule 185 Case Management and Waiver Program requirements.
- Negotiating and approving services and rates for Waivered Services.
- Conflict resolution between clients and service providers.
- Daily consultation and decision-making regarding Adult Maltreatment Reports
- Investigating vulnerable adult abuse and neglect reports by taking information, completing assessments, determining imminent danger and assessing need for criminal action.
- Assists the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services with public guardianship
- Prepares petitions and court reports regarding guardianship, out of home placement plans and permanency.
- Monitor clients' finances as representative payee, create budget with client, monitor expenses monthly
- Evaluates providers by conducting site inspections.


While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.
Minimum Qualifications


Minnesota Merit System Minimum Qualifications
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in social work, psychology, sociology or closely related field.

or
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in any field and one (1) year of experience as a social worker in a public or private social services agency.

You may apply before graduating, but no more than 60 days prior to receiving your Bachelor's Degree.

Freeborn County Preferred Qualifications
Driver's License
Examination Process


The examination will consist of a rating of training and experience based on the information you provide in your application and your responses to the supplemental questions included in the application process. You must read the questions carefully, answer truthfully, and include any experience claimed in your answers to the supplemental questions in the Work Experience section of your application. Any experience claimed in your answers to the supplemental questions but not included in the Work Experience section of you application will not be credited. You will be asked to verify your degree with official transcripts upon hire.

Once your application has been submitted changes cannot be made. If you have a change in location availability or your contact information changes please email with the new information and include your applicant ID.

TWO STEPS ARE REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY:

1. Submit a Minnesota Merit System application by applying at this link: 011-OC - County Agency Social Worker - Bachelor's

AND

2. Interested individuals shall also submit a Freeborn County online Application by 12:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2026.

Applicants must complete both the Freeborn County and Merit applications to be considered for this position. Completed applications along with cover letter and resume are due by 12:00 pm Friday, October 9, 2026. Please call View phone number on click.appcast.io with any questions. Salary range $72,992 - $97,308.
An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
The following benefits may be available and vary by County, please check with the County directly to see what types of benefits they offer:

• Pension/Retirement Benefits
• Insurance Benefits, including health and dental
• Pre-Tax flexible spending accounts
• Health savings account
• Employer paid life insurance
• PTO - Vacation/Sick Leave
• Paid holidays
• Flexible work schedule
• Monday - Friday work week, weekends off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

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Recruitment Effectiveness: Where did you learn about this opportunity?

• Merit System Website
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• Indeed
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• Community website (Please Specify below)
• MN Council of Non-Profits Website (
• Professional Conference (Please Specify below)

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