Social Worker, Children's Mental Health

Do you have a desire to better the lives of the children of Sherburne County?
Join our team of dedicated professionals in the Children's Mental Health unit of 
Sherburne County Health & Human Services! 
Children's Mental Health Social Workers provide professional case management services to clients in need of children's mental health services.
Our Mission: The mission of Sherburne County Health and Human Services (SCHHS) is to promote and protect the health, safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency of Sherburne County residents.           
Our Vision: It is the intent of the organization to provide human service programs to the residents of Sherburne County, designed to protect and enhance the lives of vulnerable populations (such as the developmentally disabled, children in need of protective services, vulnerable adults, mentally ill, and others).
The work of Sherburne County Health and Human Services is governed by the pillars of serving People, through collaboration and Partnership, to help resident achieve Prosperity, using an Equity Lens in all we do.

This position is located at the Government Center in Elk River, MN, however will also require work in the field. Our regular business hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, though the department provides staff with flexibility in effort to strive for a desired work/life balance. Sherburne County is one of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota, where you can find a nice blend of suburban and rural life. If you are interested in bringing your skill and talent to a dynamic department in a growing community, we encourage you to apply for this great opportunity.

Learn more about our workplace culture and a brief overview of our employee benefits.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.
  
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required for all positions.
 

• Effectively engage individuals and families to assess and evaluate needs and strengths, including safety and risk.
• Provide initial and ongoing assessment and case management services to individuals in identified populations. 
• Collaborate with agencies and clients to determine eligibility, need, and level of service for identified clients.
• Develop and coordinate person centered treatment plans with individuals, their families, and support network which includes necessary assessments, defines goals and objectives, and provides for the direction of service within the required timelines. 
• Coordinate and provide direct services and advocacy to clients and families.
• Coordinate and monitor placement services per statute.
• Facilitate access to and integrate community resources on behalf of the client.
• Evaluate, document, and monitor progress toward goals and objectives.
• Maintain and apply knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, statutes, and professional practice.
• Complete agency, state, and federal required documentation as related to client activity according to mandated timelines.
• Close cases based on eligibility or client desire to discontinue services, as appropriate. 
• Provide immediate response in crisis situations. Maintain safety for clients and community. Develop and implement a safety plan for clients to maximize their safety and minimalize community risk.
• Provide crisis support when appropriate.
• Work closely with service providers, vendors, law enforcement, county attorney’s office, court services, 
• Determine when and what type of court involvement is necessary, initiate this process and follow through to completion. 
• Respond to issues/problems that arise using appropriate intervention techniques.
• Provide counseling of individuals served and/or their family on a direct basis.
• Seek and provide consultation with other professionals as needed.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Complete appeal paperwork, attend hearings, and provide testimony, as needed.
• Participate in agency unit and general staff meetings.
• Disseminate information learned at trainings/meetings and share resources.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with coworkers and management to create solutions.
• Develop and maintain respectful and cooperative working relationships.
• Provide training and resources to community groups and individuals.
• Seek out and attend training as it relates to appropriate target populations.
• Seek out opportunities to serve on committees requiring agency participation.
• Promote harmony within the workplace.
• Provide unit coverage.
• Ensure service agreements, case plans, and case notes remain updated.
• Meet all agency standards for time reporting, frequency of visits/contacts, and TCM hits.
• Other duties as assigned. 

 
Minimum Qualifications
Education: BA/BS in Social Work or closely related field
 
Experience:  
Social Worker I: Minimum of completed Social Work internship or closely related field (less than a year of experienc.
Social Worker II: Minimum of 1 year of Social Work experience or equivalent education plus work experience

Licensure: Valid MN driver's license and reliable vehicle.

Preferred Experience:  

• Experience working with children who are severely and emotionally disturbed
• Experience with providing targeted case management
• Experience with children's mental health issues, chemical dependency issues, and delinquency issues
• Experience working with children who have a history of complex trauma 

Preferred Training:

• Children’s Mental Health Rule 79 Case Management Training
• Crisis Intervention Training
• Wraparound Facilitation Training
• Trauma training
• Signs of Safety Training

Preferred Licensure:

• LSW licensure - or greater 

Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skills needed include interviewing, information collection, assessment, counseling, program development, advocacy skills, report writing and resource development, maintain objectivity.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of all Federal/State laws, Department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of court processes, mental health, maltreatment, and delinquency.
• Demonstrate by personal example the service excellence and integrity expected from all employees.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including sharing knowledge with others and participating in new employee training.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with human services staff, other county employees, clients, and the public.
• Confer regularly with and keep one's immediate supervisor informed on all important matters pertaining to assigned job accountabilities.
• Represent the County in a professional manner to all clients, professionals, and community members when doing the County's business.
• Ability to handle confidential and data privacy issues appropriately.
• Ability to handle contentious issues appropriately.
• Ability to solve problems and determine appropriate course of action.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrams or schedule forms.
• Ability to manage crisis situations.

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees
 

• Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's vision, mission, and values.
• Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and county-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
• Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Informs immediate supervisor of all-important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
• Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
• Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
• Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

(2024) Hiring Salary Range DOQ:
Social Worker I: $29.92 - $35.91/hour (Grade 12)
Social Worker II:  $32.01 - $38.41/hour (Grade 13) 
Number of Vacancies:  1
Union: Teamsters
Hours of Work Usual work schedule of 40 hours per week generally during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; may include occasional evening and weekend hours.
Interview: Selected candidates will be notified via email the week of January 20th, to self-schedule a 10-minute phone interview on January 27th.
Hybrid/Remote Option: Position is in-house for at least the first 6-months, then has the option to be hybrid/remote after that. 
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to endure extended travel, up to 8 hours or more per day. Must be able to provide own means of transportation when county vehicles are not available. May be required to travel to remote areas and in all weather conditions.Must be able to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (15-25 pounds). 
Typical Working Environment:
80% Inside Work (office and field work), 20% Travel. (These percentages are an estimate and may vary based on job duties.)Work is performed both in the office and in the field (some examples of settings include client’s: homes, apartments, hospitals, group homes, schools, shelters, correctional facilities, and treatment facilities).  Headaches, eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury in the office.  Field visits to clients’ homes may expose employee to unsanitary conditions, communicable illnesses, infrequent exposure to health hazards, unpredictable and/or unsafe environments. Likelihood of verbal abuse and threats from hostile, frustrated clients and may include unpredictable situations.