La County Entry Level Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $2,068.80 Biweekly
Location : Human Services Tech Center, Durango, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 260625.1200.1207
Department: Human Services
Division: Child Welfare
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: 7/12/2026 4:00 PM Mountain
Job Application Fairness Act
In accordance with CO SB23-058, applicants understand that La Plata County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that La Plata County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.
Equal Employment Opportunity
La Plata County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your request to
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for this job. The duties, expectations and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.
Job Summary
Entry-level training position. Works under direct supervision while learning job tasks and developing skills and knowledge. Meets with supervisor frequently for direction and makes significant decisions only with supervisor oversight. All documentation is reviewed by supervisor. Provides basic case work services for various programs offered through Department of Human Services; performs initial intake and Supervisor assisted ongoing case management; performs initial assessments and evaluations of individual or family needs and safety; assists in providing crisis intervention; provides basic direct and core services; recommends service referrals to community resources, core and direct services, and/or protective services; develops plans to assist clients and submits for Supervisory review; and maintains records, documentation and reports related to services provided. Position requires basic knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice related to assigned program area(s).
Provides case management for children and families in child welfare system. Assesses maltreatment and builds family safety. Monitors plans and reports to the Court. Supports young adults in independent living. Occasional paid after hours emergency on-call. Must be accurate and efficient in data entry with excellent time management.
Performs increasingly more responsible work as the employee gains experience and independently provides basic casework services.
Essential Job Functions
Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.
Assists in providing crisis intervention at initial screening of applicants who are in need of services to prevent homelessness of themselves and/or out of home placement of their children; performs strengths-based assessment of their current situation; assists clients in identifying barriers, family strengths, support networks and in developing plans for self-sufficiency.
Develops and submits for Supervisory review case plans and treatment plans as required for each assigned case; performs ongoing case management, including review and revision of treatment plans as needed; prepares required caseload documentation; compiles periodic status reports of work performed; maintains lists of current participants.
Drafts financial and social needs assessments of clients' situations for Supervisory review; receives consultation and coordinates with other Department staff and other agencies to provide needed services and benefits for which clients are eligible.
Provides home or office based services to clients as needed, including but not limited to, short-term problem-solving, referral information, in-home services, and transportation to services.
Makes appointments and provides transportation for clients as needed.
Composes, keys, and distributes meeting minutes, letters, reports and other documents.
Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development through required continued education and by attending seminars and training programs as well as reading trade and professional journals and publications.
Provides emergency services on an on-call basis.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
CORE SERVICES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.
Provides direct services to children and families in the home, office, and community. Services are directed to maintain children in their home. Services include teaching and role modeling parenting skills, safety, appropriate discipline, decision making skills, interpersonal relationships, nutrition, budgeting, and organization. Assists clients in developing a plan to practice skills between sessions.
Drafts for Supervisor review in-depth assessments of clients; develops comprehensive strength-based treatment plans, which include goal statements, standards of performance, areas of service provision/responsibilities, and measures of success; participates in the review and revision of treatment plans as needed.
Coordinates contact with and assists with collaborative efforts with community partners in accessing financial assistance, transportation, housing, and basic needs for families.
Performs the initial assessment and evaluation of child or adult abuse or neglect issues; coordinates or contacts appropriate reporting channel if abuse or neglect is suspected.
CHILD PROTECTION INTAKE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.
Performs the initial assessment and evaluation of child abuse or neglect issues; recommends need for medical exam and whether child must be temporarily removed from the immediate circumstances; coordinates necessary arrangements for foster care and other types of placement needed; coordinates or contacts appropriate reporting channel if abuse or neglect is suspected.
Coordinates child abuse or neglect investigations with law enforcement personnel; determines proper jurisdiction; assists in conducting forensic interviews and shares relevant information with pertinent parties related to the reported incident; drafts for Supervisory review required documentation/reports regarding investigations; and attends/participates in court proceedings as required.
CHILD PROTECTION ONGOING ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.
Performs the initial assessment and evaluation of child abuse or neglect issues; recommends need for medical exam and whether child must be temporarily removed from the immediate circumstances; coordinates necessary arrangements for foster care and other types of placement needed; coordinates or contacts appropriate reporting channel if abuse or neglect is suspected.
Drafts for Supervisor review in-depth assessments of clients; drafts comprehensive strength-based treatment plans, which include goal statements, standards of performance, areas of service provision/responsibilities, and measures of success; participates in the review and revision of treatment plans as needed.
Providescase management services to clients with underage children who are participating in voluntary child welfare services and developing plans for ongoing safety and well-being of children.
Provides casework services to clients with underage children who are placed through order of the Court and develops initial plans for Supervisor review of timely permanency for children.
Provides ongoing case management and support services to children and youth in long term foster care or independent living situations; develops initial draft for Supervisory review and monitors plans for situations; makes arrangements for needed services; arranges for individual and/or family counseling services to preserve placements and prevent moves, if possible; and maintains appropriate documentation throughout process.
Develops and submits for Supervisor review court reports regarding treatment plan compliance/case status; prepares case files for court hearings; participates in court hearings.
Arranges and supervises visitations between at-risk clients and family members.
FOSTER CARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.
Provides home or office based counseling to clients on topics such as safety, appropriate discipline, decision making, de-escalation of agitated persons, and improving communication among family members; assists clients in developing a plan to practice skills between sessions.
Develops initial family assessments and evaluations for Supervisory review using state-mandated instruments to determine the character and suitability of the applicant(s), appropriateness of the home, and child care practices. Reviews all home assessments with the Home Study Review Team prior to certification of a family foster home.
Completes within mandated timeframes all steps required by La Plata County and the Colorado Department of Human Services to certify a family foster home.
Identifies, recruits, and recommends for approval family foster homes that demonstrate a genuine interest in and knowledge of children and a concern for their proper care and well-being.
Assists with annual reviews of certified family foster homes, including review of the physician's plan, annual visit and inspection of the family foster home, completes individual provider contract for purchase of foster care services, evaluates the foster care homes' current and past compliance with the rules regulating foster homes, and ensures that all documentation is current and accurate.
Assists with providing foster parents with a clear understanding of their role, the roles of the social worker, agency, legal parents, and courts. Shows respect and consideration for the foster parent as one who is making an important contribution to the agency's goals. Supports the foster parents and helps them in their efforts to provide care to a variety of children and achieve the agency's objectives.
Assists with providing foster parents with guidance including on-going training and development opportunities to learn and grow, encourages and teaches foster parents to use appropriate resources to meet the needs of the foster child and build support networks with other foster parents. Monitors the completion of required training hours prior to certification or recertification of a family foster home.
Assists with determination of the most appropriate placements for a foster home. Ensures that foster parents are given necessary information about a foster child's background that will help in working with the child and provide a safe environment for the foster family.
Assists with providing on-going supervision of all licensed family foster homes, receiving homes, specialized group facilities, and adoption resources to ensure compliance with licensing regulations and recertification of license.
Maintains monthly face-to-face contact with the foster parent(s) when children are in placement in home, maintains documentation of contacts, answers questions that the foster parent(s) have about the program, discusses any county department concerns about the operation of the home, and observes child care.
Completes annual supervisory visit to the family foster home; drafts for Supervisory review and provides copies of the written report to the foster family; drafts written notice of noncompliance to foster parent(s) requiring compliance within specified time frames; and ensures that all documentation is current and accurate.
ADOPTIONS ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.
Develops initial family assessments and evaluations for Supervisory review using state-mandated instruments to determine the character and suitability of the applicant(s), appropriateness of the home, and child care practices. Reviews all home assessments with the Home Study Review Team prior to certification of a home.
Completes within the mandated timeframes all steps required by La Plata County and the Colorado Department of Human Services to certify a family foster/adoptive home.
Identifies and recommends for approval family foster/adoptive homes that demonstrate a genuine interest in and knowledge of children and a concern for their proper care and well-being.
Assists with providing adoptive parents with a clear understanding of their role, the roles of the social worker, agency, legal parents, and courts. Shows respect and consideration for the adoptive parent as one who is making an important cont