Social Worker, Rapid Response/Relative Search

Job Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These examples of typical duties do not include all possible tasks for this classification and do not limit the assignment of related tasks. Regular attendance according to the department's approved work schedule is required for all Sherburne positions.

• Support goals of MAAFPCWDA by preventing out-of-home placement and promoting family reunification.

• Crisis Intervention: Respond immediately when reports of placement may be considered. Evaluate immediate safety risks and design rapid stabilization/safety plan.

• Assessment and Triage: Coordinate and facilitate a Rapid Response Meeting where there is a need for rigorous safety planning to ensure child safety.

• Safety Plan: Utilize core elements of Family Group Decision Making in the context of Child Welfare requirements. Create a plan that outlines risks, goals and roles of those identified.

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Clear communication with family supports, community agencies and social services; sharing crisis plan with clear next steps identified.

Child Protection Investigation

• Conduct and complete Child Protection Investigations.

• To determine when court involvement is necessary, what type of court involvement is necessary, and initiate the process and follow through to completion.

• To provide testimony in court regarding the matter before the court, the role of social services.

• Utilize a Signs of Safety Approach to maintain children within their home whenever possible.

• Determine the need for out of home placement when safety cannot be ensured.

Family Group Decision Making

• Coordinate and facilitate FGDM meetings on referral from a variety of Social Services Units utilizing the concepts of the Family Group Decision Making models.

• Coordinate and facilitate Rapid Response Consolations for Child Protection cases where there is an immediate need for rigorous safety planning to ensure child safety. These meetings will need to occur within 24-72 hours.

• During the FGDM Meeting, ensure that the purpose and agenda are being followed; keep invitees on task as well as setting the tone for a professional, respectful, and productive meeting.

• Complete all assigned documentation and prepare paperwork related to family plans.

• Provide education and information on Family Involvement Strategies and Family Group Decision Making to the community. Effectively prepare families for the FGDM process.

• Work as part of a team in the implementation of Family Involvement Strategies.

• Attend regional state meeting, training seminars, and conferences to improve skill levels, and study appropriate literature in the field.

Relative Search

• Complete relative assessments on all identified relative permanency options, utilizing the 10 Best Interest Factors in determining the relative’s ability to meet the child’s needs.

• Open secondary work groups on all cases assigned for Relative Search.

• Coordinate the completion of local background checks on identified relatives/kin.

• Provide necessary information to clerical support so that relative search letters can be sent.

• Assist with the coordination of contact/visitation for children in out-of-home placements and their relatives/kin, including utilizing relatives for respite, if appropriate.

• Begin relative search on all assigned placement cases within 30 days of placement.

• Meet with children, parents, and all known family members/kin to gather information for purposes of locating relative/kin placement options.

• Meet with the primary case manager on the case as needed to share information found and assessed during the relative search process.

• Attend concurrent permanency planning meetings on cases assigned.

• Make referrals for Family Group Decision Making meetings and attend these meetings where the primary goal is to identify permanency options and develop plans for permanency.

• Document relative search efforts in SSIS and complete the relative search section on all court reports for the primary case manager.

• Initiate ICPC referrals when out of state relatives are being considered and placement and/or permanency option.

• Complete Social/Medical History’s on cases where adoption is being considered as a permanency option.

• Participate in case transfer meetings.

• Attend and participate in all court hearings as needed.

• Write court reports as required at the 90-day review hearing and as needed, until relieved of efforts by the court.

• Monitor permanency timelines and request permanency notification (2nd letters) be mailed to all identified relatives/kin at the time the agency files a permanency petition.

• Make a final permanency recommendation to the court upon completion of relative search.

• Ensure that relative search efforts are exhausted and obtain the court’s ruling to be relieved of efforts prior to case closure.

• Rule out concurrent permanency options, as necessary, through the court. Provide notice to those being ruled out of the hearing in which this will be reviewed by the court.

To Learn More About Child Protection Work and The Programs, Resources, And Services Within Child Protection, Please follow thelink: https://dcyf.mn.gov/individuals-and-families/family-services/child-safety-and-family-preservationto Visit the DHS MinnesotaDepartment of Human Services Child Protection Page.

To Learn More About Family Assessment Response Work, Please follow the link:https://dcyf.mn.gov/individuals-and-families/family-services/child-safety-and-family-preservation/family-assessment-response to Visit the DHS Minnesota Department of Human Services Family Assessment Response (FAR) Page.

To Gain Knowledge of What It Really Means to Be a Social Worker Within a Child Protection Unit in Minnesota, Please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEJhyxo4BJI to View Child Protection Work in Minnesota: A Realistic Job Preview.

Minimum Education Required

Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work or closely related field.

Must have a valid MN driver's license and reliable vehicle.

Experience:

Social Worker I: Minimum of completed Social Work internship or closely related field.

Social Worker II: Minimum of 1-year of Social Work experience or equivalent education plus work experience.

Must have a valid MN driver's license and reliable vehicle.

Minimum Experience Required

Preferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications: Candidates experienced with Social Worker Foundations training, Signs of Safety training, Corner House training, Trauma training, and working in the state SSIS system. Experience with conducting child protection investigations is also preferred.

Shift

First (Day)

Number of Openings

1

Compensation

$34.63 - $48.52 / Hourly

Postal Code

55330

Job Type

Full Time

Place of Work

On-site

Requisition ID

2026-01763

Job Benefits

Sherburne County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Medical (employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage). Monthly premiums for Employee only coverage are covered 100% by the county.

County Contributions to VEBA and HSA plans

Employer paid $25,000 Term Life Policy

Optional Benefits:

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Additional Supplemental Life Insurance for self, spouse and child(ren)

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care Reimbursement and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account)

Accident Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Hospital Care Insurance

Deferred Compensation Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Annual Paid Time Off accrual of 21 days to start, increasing up to a maximum of 33 days per year.

12 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

On-Site Well@Work Clinic available to Sherburne County Employees and Dependents covered under our plan.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Public Employees Retirement (PERA)