Entry Level Child Protective Services Jobs in Colorado

Pay Range:
$25.39 - $36.14 hourly (DOE)
MONTROSE COUNTY BENEFIT INFORMATION:
2026 Montrose County Benefit Information
General Statement of Duties - Caseworker I/II: Provides intake and/or ongoing social casework to adults, children and/or families. Assignments may fall under the following areas: Child Protection, Adolescent Services, Adult Services, Foster Care/Retention, Adoption, and Life Skills. Develop case plans to address specific issues. Make referrals to other agencies, when appropriate.
General Statement of Duties - Caseworker III: Provides intake and/or ongoing, complex social casework to adults, children and/or families. Assignments may fall under the following areas: Child Protection, Adolescent Services, Adult Services, Foster Care/Retention, Adoption, and Life Skills. Evaluates the needs of clients, develop case plans to address specific issues. Make referrals to other agencies, when appropriate.
Supervision Received - Caseworker I: Receives close supervision from the unit supervisor, program manager and/or director in the assigned area.
Supervision Received - Caseworker II: Works under the supervision of the Caseworker Supervisor and performs a variety of routine work within established policies, procedures and receives detailed instructions on new projects and assignments.
Supervision Received - Caseworker III: Works under the general supervision of the Caseworker Supervisor and normally receives little instruction on a day-to-day work and receives general instructions on new assignments.
Supervision Exercised - Caseworker I/II: None assigned.
Supervision Exercised - Caseworker III: This position offers guidance, mentoring and training as assigned. May act in a lead capacity.
Essential Functions - Caseworker I: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties, which may be found in positions of this class.

• Assesses allegations and safety risks of referral cases to include receiving referrals, completing intake and assessment forms, and assessing safety of home and/or need for out-of-home placement.
• Provides crisis intervention and on-going counseling as needed to assist families in decision-making and problem resolution; act as advocate for client.
• Coordinates client services and safety with other County departments, professionals, and outside collateral agencies (i.e. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, and foster care services).
• Designs a treatment or service plan to address risk and needs assessments, establishes goals and objectives, and coordinates client services and referrals.
• Prepares and presents case information and documentation to the courts, state review proceedings, and for communications with attorneys and/or other professionals.
• Refers clients to outside state and community resources.
• Monitors compliance or non-compliance; determines appropriate course of action.
• Appropriately handles emotionally charged people and situations, and deal with a variety of types of human suffering.
• Develops and writes a variety of documentation, completes necessary forms, and writes correspondence relevant to each case.
• Performs data entry and on-going case updates in the system as assigned.
• Accurate timelines for data system entry and reports are consistently met.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Essential Functions - Caseworker II: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties, which may be found in positions of this class.

• Assesses allegations and safety risks of referral cases to include receiving referrals, completing intake and assessment forms, and assessing the safety of the home and/or need for out-of-home placement.
• Provides crisis intervention and on-going counseling as needed to assist families in decision-making and problem resolution; act as advocate for client.
• Accepts referrals or cases involving moderate to severe allegations.
• Coordinates client services and safety with other County departments, professionals, and outside collateral agencies (i.e. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, and foster care services).
• Designs a treatment plan to address risk and needs assessments, establishes goals and objectives, and coordinates client services and referrals.
• Prepares and presents case information and documentation to the courts, state review proceedings, and for communications with attorneys and/or other professionals.
• Refers clients to outside state and community resources.
• Monitors compliance or non-compliance; determines appropriate course of action.
• Appropriately handles emotionally charged people and situations, and deals with a variety of types of human suffering.
• Provides education for clients and the community on assigned topics.
• Participates in various committees and boards related to program activities and responsibilities.
• Develops and writes a variety of documentation, completes necessary forms, and writes correspondence relevant to each case.
• Performs data entry and on-going case updates in the system as assigned.
• Accurate timelines for data system entry and reports are consistently met.
• Interprets and applies rules and statutes governing the responsibilities of the position.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Essential Functions - Caseworker III: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties, which may be found in positions of this class.

• Trains, mentors and assists in the professional development of assigned caseworkers and staff. Provides case consultation and advice to assigned caseworkers and staff.
• Acts as a backup to the Caseworker Supervisor.
• Acts as backup to the on-call caseworker as needed.
• Guide and mentor caseworkers on the more complex or specialized caseloads.
• Assigned the cases with the most severe allegations and complicating factors: severely mentally ill, sexual abuse allegations, human trafficking, and child fatality cases.
• Assesses allegations and safety risks of referral cases to include receiving referrals, completing intake and assessment forms, and assessing the safety of the home and/or need for out-of-home placement.
• Provides crisis intervention and on-going counseling as needed to assist families in decision-making and problem resolution; acts as advocate for client.
• Coordinates client services and safety with other County departments, professionals, and outside collateral agencies (i.e. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, and foster care services).
• Designs a treatment plan to address risk and needs assessments, establishes goals and objectives, and coordinates client services and referrals.
• Prepares and presents case information and documentation to the courts, state review proceedings, and for communications with attorneys and/or other professionals.
• Refers clients to outside state and community resources.
• Monitors compliance or non-compliance; determines appropriate course of action.
• Appropriately handles emotionally charged people and situations, and deal with a variety of types of human suffering.
• Provides education for clients and the community on assigned topics.
• Participates in various committees and boards related to program activities and responsibilities.
• Develops and writes a variety of documentation, completes necessary forms, and writes correspondence relevant to each case.
• Initiates and follow through on community education and communications.
• Performs data entry and on-going case updates in the system as assigned.
• Accurate timelines for data system entry and reports are consistently met.
• Interprets and applies rules and statutes governing the responsibilities of the position.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Education - Caseworker I/II: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a Human Behavioral Science field or 5 years relevant experience in the field of Long Term Services and Supports can substitute need for Bachelor's Degree. Additionally, some combination of education and relevant experience would also fulfill the requirements.
Education - Caseworker III: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the human behavioral science fields. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work preferred.
Experience - Caseworker I: A minimum of one (1) year experience in human behavioral sciences field preferred.
Experience - Caseworker II: A minimum of two (2) years full time casework experience in adult protective, child protective or juvenile services or in a related field.
Experience - Caseworker III: A minimum of three (3) years Caseworker II experience.
Required Knowledge - Caseworker I: Scope and application of laws and regulations pertaining to physical abuse, sexual abuse, caregiver/self neglect, child/adult welfare, and elderly or disabled adult services. Principles, practices, and objectives as related to case management, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling. Assess risk; develop treatment or service plans, and counsel family and clients on methods of problem resolution. Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
Required Knowledge - Caseworker II: Principles, practices, and objectives as related to case management, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and counseling. Scope and application of laws and regulations pertaining to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, child/adult welfare, and elderly or disabled adult services. Assess risk; develop treatment or service plans, and counsel family and clients on methods of problem resolution. Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
Required Knowledge - Caseworker III: Knowledge of unit's functions, policies and procedures. Working knowledge of the State regulations, principles, practices and protocols. Working knowledge of mental illness issues, substance abuse, homelessness, and medical terminology. Ability to utilize a variety of state rules and regulations to insure state compliance. Ability to adhere to confidentiality rules and regulations.
Language Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in a variety of written formats. Must be able to interpret, apply, explain and enforce all applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences and levels of knowledge. Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and technical information derived from a variety of sources. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex and technical documents including contracts, court documents, complex management, and financial reports and respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to read, comprehend and translate information relayed in written or graphic format. Must be able to write policies, procedures, correspondences and other types of documents. Must have the ability to write speeches, articles and manuals and create presentations using original and innovative techniques and styles. Must have the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups and organizations and/or board of directors. Ability to prepare industry specific technical reports and budgeting information. Ability to effectively communicate with the public, federal, state and county officials, employees, community agencies and the public.
Interpersonal Skills Caseworker I/II: Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Have strong customer service orientation and work collaboratively within a team environment. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Must have the skill to organize workflow and accomplish established objectives. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must maintain appropriate professional boundaries in relationships with customer/clients and the general public.
Interpersonal Skills Caseworker III: Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Work with the media to maintain a positive image of the County to the community. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must be able to diffuse the most intense situation with diplomacy and professionalism. Must have the acumen to navigate political waters of the County and other outside agencies and organizations. Demonstrate a commitment to the County's mission, values and core beliefs. Provide leadership, guidance and feedback to ensure continual quality improvement and respect the experience, cultural and overall diversity of those you lead and interact with.
Mathematical Skills: Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Skills: Must be able make rational decisions through sound logical and deductive processes and make so