Social Worker (Child Protection)

Social Worker (Child Protection)

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Social Worker (Child Protection)

Salary

$33.97 - $48.23 Hourly

Location

Government Center, 3650 Braddock Ave NE, Buffalo, MN 55313, MN

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026 August - Social Worker CP

Department

Health & Human Services

Opening Date

08/18/2026

Closing Date

9/1/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

General Definition of Work

Full time Child Protection Social Worker with Wright County Health & Human Services. Child protection social workers provide an array of services to families, provide assessments, intervention services, safety planning services, case management, and court intervention, if necessary. Social workers work both voluntarily with families and through court intervention under a CHIPS petition with the main goal being family preservation in all cases. Child protection social workers must be able to attend and participate in court trials regularly.

Performs difficult advanced human support work assessing, planning, providing, and coordinating social services programs through the provision of professional social work and case management services. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Social Services Supervisor.

This position may be assigned to specialized functions within the Health and Human Services Department.

Hiring pay range is $33.97/hr. - $38.05/hr. depending on qualifications and direct work experience. Please note this position is in-office work setting.

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Performs intake, outreach and assessment with communities, systems, families and individuals and provides social service interventions utilizing evidence-based practices and standards.

• Meets with clients to identify needs and services; obtains and reviews diagnostic evaluations for program and service eligibility.

• Develops case plans, provides services and performs case management activities; conducts investigations; performs assessments and screenings for health and safety and ongoing services; develops written support and service plans; reviews, monitors and adjusts as necessary; addresses crisis situations, advocates for client services and provides services or refers clients for services and placements with community providers; contacts law enforcement or emergency services as necessary; delegates to support staff as necessary.

• Consults with Supervisor and may consult with County Attorney's office regarding legislation, data practices, and ethical dilemmas; provides training to and serves as a resource to others in Department, community, schools or other County Departments regarding program rules and requirements and County practices; updates and maintains program resources.

• Oversees, mentors, and participates in orientation activities and training of newly hired social work staff, students and interns.

• Reports incidences of maltreatment, death and serious injuries of adults and children; testifies and provides documentation in appeals and legal proceedings.

• Maintains knowledge of programs, laws and procedures by attending meetings, training and conferences, and reviewing technical literature.

• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in social work; or bachelor's degree in a related field and one year of related experience in social work/health and human services.

Special Requirements

Two years of related work experience in Health and Human Services is preferred.

QDDP Status upon hire may be required.

MnCHOICES Assessor certification within six months of employment.

A valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of social work theory and practice fundamentals; knowledge of human behavior principles and theory; knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply, laws and regulations related to mental health, chemical dependency, adult and child protection, licensing, child welfare, adoption, and physical and developmental disability programs; knowledge of local, State, and Federal laws, rules, regulations and policies pertaining to assigned area including knowledge of court procedures and practices; knowledge of computer systems and programs used to administer Human Service programs; knowledge of County government work flows and processes; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computers and software programs; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and understand medical reports and technical and legal documents; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to perform data entry into various databases; ability to deal effectively with demanding/challenging individuals and individuals in crisis; ability to pay attention to detail and effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and tasting or smelling, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Wright County offers an exceptional benefit package including vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package is health, preventative dental and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (pension). For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, Click Here. (https://www.wrightcountymn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/36500/AFSCME-Human-Services)

01

I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete all the following supplemental questions. I understand that I will only receive credit to responses that are supported in the information I provide in my employment application and that a resume will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Please check the "yes" button if you have read and understand this.

• Yes

• No

02

This position requires a bachelor's degree in social work; bachelor’s degree in a related field and one year of related experience in social work/health and human services. Do you meet the minimum requirements of this position?

• Yes

• No

03

Please describe your education and experience that indicates you fulfill the listed minimum requirements.

04

Which best describes your level of education (highest degree received)?

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or relevant area, such as psychology, sociology, criminal justice or education, or equivalent

• Master's Degree in Social Work or relevant area, such as psychology, sociology, criminal justice or education, or equivalent

• Bachelor's Degree (non-social work discipline)

• Master's Degree (non-social work discipline)

• None of the above

05

If indicated you have a degree, describe your area of study and from what institution.

06

How many years of experience do you have in social work/health and human services?

• No experience

• One or more years experience

07

If selected experience in the question above, please describe experience and include name of employer, job title and dates of the work experience. (If no experience, type NA).

08

How many years of experience do you have providing child protection services?

• No experience

• 2 years or less

• More than 2 years, but less than 5 years

• 5 years or more

09

If selected experience in the question above, please describe experience and include name of employer, job title and dates of the work experience. (If no experience, type NA).

10

If you indicated experience in question 8, was this experience in the last five years?

• Yes

• No

11

Do you possess a valid drivers license or evidence of equivalent mobility?

• Yes

• No

12

Do you possess a Social Work license?

• LSW

• LGSW

• LISW

• LICSW

• None of the above

13

Have you completed an internship or worked in the following areas (paid or unpaid)? Check all that apply.

• Government Social Services/Public Health Agency

• Law Enforcement/Probation/Corrections

• County Financial Services

• Wright County Social Services

• Non-profit Social Services/Group Home/Residential Treatment Facility

• School System - Public or Private

• Health Care System - Clinic/Hospital/Mental Health Facility

• Internship or worked in Child Protection

• None of the above

14

If your experience in the above question was due to an internship, please indicate where you received your experience and describe your experience. (If no experience or not relevant, type NA).

15

I have professional experience (paid or unpaid) with the following: (check all that apply - NOTE: The application must reflect any experience checked).

• Child Protection Assessments/Investigations - Public Agency

• Child Protection Case Management - Public Agency

• Mental Illness/Children's Mental Health

• Child Welfare Services - Private or Non-Profit

• No experience with any of the above

16

Do you have experience providing services to involuntary clients, meaning working with clients who are only involved with you because of a court order requiring their cooperation?

• Yes

• No

17

If you answered yes to the above question, please describe the context of these services. If you answered no, type NA.

18

On a scale from 1 to 5 (with 1 being very low and 5 being very high), based on your training and experience, what is your skill level in engaging involuntary clients to establish a working relationship with you? Be prepared to discuss your answer if selected to interview.

• 1 - Very low

• 2 - Low

• 3 - Moderate

• 4 - High

• 5 - Very high

19

Please describe your skills engaging involuntary clients.

20

Within the last 7 years, do you have work related experience with the following: (check all that apply - NOTE: The application must reflect any experience checked).

• Conducting in-depth, face-to-face interviews with clients, their families and collateral contacts (asking questions and inputting them into a form will not be considered in-depth)

• Working with Law Enforcement/County Attorney with regard to Social Service case issues

• Working with the Court System in preparing court documents and/or testifying

• Providing social services or program assessment to children/teens/families to identify problems, service needs or capabilities for clients for providers

• Providing ongoing social service suports to clients (e.g. case management, direct services to children, therapy, client advocacy, family support, crisis intervention and counseling)

• Coordinating social service delivery with other agencies and/or systems to include providing information and referrals for professional evaluation or services

• Participating in multi-disciplinary case staffings or client staffings (Note: attending does not equate to participation)

• Developing and/or interpreting psychological/medical reports and medical terminology

• Conducting Cornerhouse interviews

• Reviewing medical reports and discharge summaries

• Reviewing and interpreting psychological evaluations

• Developing and/or modifying social service treatment or individual client service plans

• No experience in these areas

21

Please indicate the areas below in which you have juvenile court experience. Check all that apply.

• Acting as a party in CHIPS court in the role of a county social worker

• Filing a petition with the court for an initial removal of a child from their current home for safety or treatment reasons

• Making a recommendation with the court for a child in placement to be reunified with their parent or legal custodian

• Filing a petition with the court for permancent placement of a child away from their parent or legal custodian

• Providing written petitions, memorandums and reports to the court for scheduled hearings

• Providing formal testimony to the court for disputed hearings and scheduled trials

• None of the above

22

Veterans preference points are awarded to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans and are added to competitive exam results. Qualified veterans are eligible to receive 10 or 15 preference points subject to the provisions of MN Statutes 197.455. YOU MUST SUPPLY A COPY OF YOUR DD214 (Member Copy 4). Disabled veterans must also supply a letter from the USDVA verifying active duty disability. Spouses applying for preference points must supply their marriage certificate, the veteran's DD214 and a letter from the USDVA verifying the veteran's disability or death certificate. Veterans applying for promotional exams may only claim veterans preference points if they have a service connected disability of 50% or more. The five points preference is only available when applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County. All required documents must be received no later than the closing deadline for accepting your application. Are you applying for Veterans Preference points?

• No

• Yes - Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge - see MN Statute 197.447

• Yes - Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connect disability of 10% or more

• Yes - Spouse of a veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability of 10% or more (the Veteran must also be qualified to apply for the position but their service connected disability restricts them from applying for or performing the job duties)

• Yes - Spouse of a deceased veteran who served on active duty 181 or more days, received an honorable discharge, had a service connected disability of 10% or more and was disabled at the time of death. You are ineligible if you have remarried or were divorced from the veteran.

• Yes - Spouse of a deceased veteran. You are ineligible if you have remarried.

• Yes - Current employee with a 50% or more service connected disability rating applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County.

23

I understand that any falsified information, omissions of important facts, or misrepresentation of my job education or experience on either the application or during my interview may disqualify me from further consideration for employment and may be considered justification for dismissal, if hired.

• Yes

• No

Required Question

Employer

Wright County

Address

3650 Braddock Ave NE, Suite 3200 Buffalo, Minnesota, 55313

Phone

763-682-7378

Website

http://www.wrightcountymn.gov

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