Child Welfare Specialist

Hancock County Job and Family Services is seeking a Child Welfare Specialist to join our team. This position brings the right candidate a rewarding career helping children and families. Challenges bring forth opportunities for the candidate to employ critical thinking skills and experience significant growth, both personally and professionally. If you are seeking to make a positive difference in your community, please reach out to us.

POSITION

Children Services Ongoing Caseworker

BENEFITS

· 12+ Paid Holidays

· Immediate Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual

· Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Coverage

· Access to County Vehicles for Work Purposes

· Deferred Compensation Plan

· Retirement Plan with Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

· Discounts at Select Local Businesses

· Student Loan Forgiveness

· Employee Assistance Program

JOB DUTIES

· Work Closely with Families who have had their Child(ren) removed from their Home

· Take Steps to Ensure Child Safety, which may Include Removing Children from their Homes

· Focus Majority of Time Working with Families on Reunification Goals

· Ensure Safety Concerns are Corrected within the Home

· Collaborate on Decisions as to Whether or Not a Child can Safely Return Home

· Develop and Maintain Strong Relationships with Families

· Significant Time Spent in the Field Completing Home Visits

· Refer Families to Community Resources

· Monitor Case Plan Participation to Reunify Families

· Maintain Factual and Accurate Records

· Conduct Family Team Meetings

· Work Closely with Law Enforcement, the Court System, and Other Professionals

· Demonstrate Skillful Verbal Communication

· Provide Court Testimony, which may Include Testifying at Hearings to Terminate Parental Rights

· Prepare Cases for Administrative or Judicial Procedures

· Display Strong Organization and Time Management Skills

· Prepare Written Documents, such as Case Plans, Assessments, and Reviews

· Meet State Mandates and Other Established Deadlines

· Serve as On-Call Worker on Rotating Basis (Additional Pay Provided)

WAGE

· Starting at $20.45/hour

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in human services-related studies

· OR bachelor’s degree in any field and have been employed for at least two years in a human services occupation

· OR associate’s degree in human services-related studies

· OR been employed for at least five years in a human services-related occupation

*For employment to continue, a person described in option 2, 3, or 4 above must obtain a job-related bachelor’s degree not later than five years after the date of employment with the agency commences.

*Note: All liability and responsibility for determining “human services-related studies” or “human services-related occupation” rests with the employing agency.

· Per section 5153.122 of the Ohio Revised Code, each caseworker shall complete at least ninety hours of in-service training during the first year of the caseworker’s continuous employment, consisting of courses in recognizing and preventing child abuse and neglect, assessing risks, interviewing persons, investigating cases, intervening, providing services to children and their families, and other topics relevant to child abuse and neglect. After the first year of continuous employment, each caseworker annually shall complete thirty-six hours of training in areas relevant to the caseworker’s assigned duties.

· Must have Valid Driver’s License

HOW TO APPLY

• Submit a resume by mail, in person, or by email. Emails can be addressed to Chelsea Wentling at chelsea.wentling@jfs.ohio.gov 

Mail: Hancock County Job and Family Services

   Attn: Chelsea Wentling

         P.O. Box 270

         Findlay, OH 45839

In Person: 7746 CR 140

                   Findlay, OH 45840

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability or age.