<p>Our Mission:  Adams County Human Services Department builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence and stability of individuals and families. Adams County has an opening for a Community Development & Prevention Partner position working for the Children, Youth and Families Division. The Children, Youth and Families Division provides protective services to children, as well as foster care, adoption, adolescent services, therapeutic treatment and other community services that help create strong, effective families.  The Community Development & Prevention Partner develops community connections to create sustainable commitment to system improvement, strategic planning and community improvements as they relate to community needs, specifically the need for child protective services.  Such partners will include, but are not limited to school districts, the judicial system, law enforcement, medical and behavioral health providers and other community partners with the goal of decreasing the need for protective service system involvement and enhancing community partnerships. This position exists to improve their collaboration with community partners and to contribute towards improved agency practice and outcomes with the children and families including reducing recurrence/recidivism. This position will also serve as a subject matter expert regarding prevention, community collaboration, child welfare systems, and the mandatory reporting process. </p> <p>Hiring Range $66,798.30-$75,790.37 / Full Range $64,229.13-$93,132.23</p> <ul> <li> <p>Participates in the development and implementation of comprehensive planning and community development programs and services to respond to families in need with intent to prevent abuse and neglect.</p> </li><li> <p>Manages a workload consisting of both internal screened out referrals and referrals from the community, including timely outreach and closure.</p> </li><li> <p>Manages a workload of Program Area 3 cases when CORE services are accessed to meet the needs of children and families to prevent child welfare involvement and/or abuse/neglect.</p> </li><li> <p>Participates in the design, implementation, management, and evaluation a community-based prevention system, including a comprehensive response and programs that capitalize on community development strategies and established partnerships.</p> </li><li> <p>Participates in developing, implementing and monitoring short and long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving the Division's mission, goals and priorities; direct the development of and monitors performance of community partners.</p> </li><li> <p>Represents the Department of Human Services and the Division of Children, Youth and Family at relevant meetings; informs and advises these groups, as well as the Prevention Manager and Division Director, on local and regional community development and infrastructure planning issues.</p> </li><li> <p>Presents Department and Division information to community constituents and citizen-facing committees, commissions and other forums including presentations on special projects and community and program planning to increase understanding of the child protection system and opportunities to respond to and assist families in a community-based manner that serves to prevent abuse and neglect.</p> </li><li> <p>Participates in developing, integrating, and evaluating a community-based response for families referred multiple times to protective services and/or economic assistance to assure that basic needs and protective issues are properly identified and resolved to impact the multi-generational use of such government systems in a sustained manner.</p> </li><li> <p>Analyzes data resources with respect to recurrence and recidivism in the child and adult protective system and participates in the design and implementation of effective strategies to positively impact such.</p> </li><li> <p>Contacts community resources, such as schools, law enforcement and medical personnel to obtain additional information, coordinate services, or secure their assistance.</p> </li><li> <p>Participates in staffings with school, mental health facilities, child protection review teams, and other professionals involved with the family members</p> </li><li> <p>Serves as information and referral source to other Children Youth and Families employees and to the public.</p> </li><li> <p>Coordinate and/or facilitate meetings with families and community partners to develop support or response plans.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of social casework principles, concepts and ethics by using a strength-based and solution focused practice.</p> </li><li> <p>Independently analyze complex situations, formulate plans and make quick decisions as needed.</p> </li><li> <p>Practice strategies that result in effective engagement of community partners and families. Mediate difficult interactions between parties.</p> </li><li> <p>Will attend leadership training and educational opportunities to enhance and grow skills</p> </li><li> <p>Represent Adams County at community partnership meetings.</p> </li><li> <p>Serve as a liaison with other Children Youth and Families sections to provide education, support, and guidance in regard to prevention referrals.</p> </li><li> <p>Provide coaching and supervision to one employee under the guidance and support of the supervisor</p> </li><li> <p>Will complete assignments, provide support, and coaching to the team when the supervisor is unavailable.</p> </li><li> <p>Participate in Red Team, Group Supervision and internal trainings as recommended.</p> </li><li> <p>Participates in a variety of ancillary assignments, projects, tasks, duties as needed.</p> </li></ul> <p>KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Ability to build relationships and help others learn</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to model best practice skills and philosophy in the field</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to provide feedback and facilitate reflection including helping staff increase self- awareness in regard to strengths and areas for improvement</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to manage complex and sometimes conflicting situations.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to provide feedback in a respectful and sometimes challenging and probing manner while maintaining and objective, non-judgmental stance</p> </li><li> <p>Strong ability to multitask.</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of strength-based, solution-focused practice including appreciative inquiry, cultural humility</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to work independently and as a team member.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to deliver effective customer service and communication skills in a professional manner with a diverse client base, some of whom may be or become angry, difficult and/or distressed.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to work under stressful conditions in a professional manner in a high-volume environment.</p> </li><li> <p>Excellent organizational skills.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from court, groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public via fax, telephone, and email.</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and state and county computer systems. Ability to learn various applications.</p> </li></ul> <p>Experience:</p> <ul> <li>Three (3) years of full-time professional social casework experience acquired after the degree in a public or private social services agency in an area appropriate to the position. Prior training, coaching and/or crisis intervention experience is highly desirable. </li><li>Spanish-speaking applicants are preferred. </li></ul> <p>Education and Training:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Bachelor's Degree in one of the human behavioral science fields.</p> </li><li> <p>An MSW may substitute for two (2) years of required experience.</p> </li><li> <p>Proof of education, (degree or transcripts), and license (if candidate has received one) are required.</p> </li></ul> <p>License or Certificate:</p> <ul> <li>Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker certification required and must be completed within three (3) months of employment, through the Colorado Training Academy (State Child Welfare). Certification through another State will require proof of completion and may substitute for all or part of the training required by Colorado. </li><li>Possession of a valid driver's License and proof of automotive insurance. </li></ul> <p>Background Check: Must pass a criminal (CBI) background check</p> <p>Special Requirements:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Ability to work in a standard office environment.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to utilize personal vehicle or other mode of transportation to make visits to client's homes, travel to court and other public facilities in all types of weather.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to lift and carry (1-50 lbs.) infants and small children in the care and custody of the County, as well as the ability to carry their belongings.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to conduct home visits in unknown and uncontrolled settings which may include animals, feces, airborne contaminants, gang members, weapons, and other environmental hazards.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to work evenings, as needed.</p> </li></ul> <p>Ability to obtain, maintain, and ensure continued access to State and County systems in strict compliance with all applicable county and state regulations, policies, and user agreements.</p>