Govt. ACFS Caseworker - Family Services Specialist - Open Until Filled

Sault Tribe - Sault Sainte Marie, MI

Full-time - Entry Level

Sault Sainte Marie, MI

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Caseworker-Family Services Specialist, under the direction of the Child Placement Services Supervisor, is responsible for overseeing various professional assignments to provide services to socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals in programs administered by ACFS Child Placement Services. Caseworker-Family Services Specialist carries a caseload consisting of family support services, child and adult protection services, and ICWA Monitoring services.

Responsibilities

• Completes program-specific paperwork within established time frames.
• Maintains client files according to program and funding guidelines.
• Provides 24-hour crisis intervention.
• Provides on-call services.
• Responds to critical situations involving children and families within defined time frames.
• Evaluates the safety of living environments through home visits and client interviews.
• Completes risk assessments with the family to determine individual strengths and needs and makes appropriate recommendations for services based on assessment results.
• Identifies placement resources for children involved in child protection cases.
• Prepares and files court petitions in protective services and in-home care cases according to Tribal and State laws.
• Testifies in court hearings as required.
• Adheres to court orders by formulating a social services plan, supervising the family's rehabilitative progress, and reporting to the court on any significant changes in case activity.
• Reviews the behavioral, medical, and educational needs of each child referred for placement at specified intervals and other times as needed.
• Prepares and presents information to the Sault Tribe Child Welfare Committee.
• Serves as a Qualified Expert Witness and a Tribal Representative as needed.
• Provides specialized knowledge and case consultation per the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act, and other various state and federal laws that pertain to child welfare court processes.
• Provides in-home supportive services, education, counseling, community resource linkage, referral, advocacy, and other social service interventions to families and children.
• Conducts forensic interviews.
• Completes a monthly narrative and statistical report.
• Implements and ensures compliance with various Federal and State Laws and Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Code.
• Develops and implements effective and culturally sensitive strategies for outreach to the Native American Community.
• Builds lasting networks and collaborations with tribal and community resources.
• Attends and participates in departmental staff meetings and related activities.
• Attends workshops, conferences, and classes to increase professional knowledge.
• Serves on projects and committees as assigned.
• Serves as a resource person, responding to requests for information and assistance.
• Administers breathalyzer tests and drug screens as needed.
• Evaluates home and community-based situations for worker safety and follows best practices when working in volatile environments.
• All other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services area: Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Family Ecology, Consumer/Community Services, Family Studies or Child Development, Guidance/School Counseling Psychology, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or in another major where 25% of the course credits earned toward the degree are in human behavioral sciences required.
• One year of experience working with children and families preferred.
• Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check.
• Must maintain good moral character standing requirements.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department.
• Must comply with annual driver's license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department.
• Must complete Forensic Interviewing training and show proficiency in implementing forensic interviewing protocol.
• Will be required to complete and pass pre-employment drug testing.

Nice-to-haves

• Must be able to handle potentially hostile clients and adversarial situations.
• Must be able to confront and redirect inappropriate client behavior.
• Must be flexible and available to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Native American preferred.

Benefits

• Potential for professional development through workshops and conferences.