Caseworker- Adult Protection

ALAMOSA COUNTY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, CASEWORKER-ADULT PROTECTION

UNIT: Alamosa County Child Welfare and Adult Protection
REPORTS TO: Program Manager- Child Welfare and Adult Protection
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY: $48,000.00
DATE ADOPTED: October 2024
CLOSE DATE: Open until filled

JOB SUMMARY: Performs work providing intake and/or ongoing social work services to families where at-risk adult abuse, neglect or exploitation is present or suspected. Assignments include the provision of extensive assessment and situational evaluation, counseling, crisis intervention, resource mobilization and information and referral around all areas of adult protection.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (The following are illustrative of essential functions to perform duties and
responsibilities of the job. The position may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be
required to perform additional tasks as needed by the Department. Reasonable accommodations, as
defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.)

• Conducts investigations of alleged physical abuse, neglect and financial exploitation; determination if situation warrants the recommendation of intervention services to end the abuse and/or neglect and/or exploitation.
•  Assessment and investigation of cases assigned including: investigation of allegations by interview with client, perpetrator and collateral parties, review prior case file, client assessment to determine the level of functioning, risk and needs assessment of the client.
• Gathers and consolidates background information to present as documentation for court hearings involving guardianship, conservatorship, and as progress reports in judicial reviews.
• Participates in staffings with medical care providers,  mental health facilities, disability service agencies, and other professionals involved with the client.
• Development of case plan including gathering client and collateral input on case plan, reviewing the case plan with the client, discussing the role of the client and others in the case plan, determining the funding for, providers of and frequency needed of services.  Provide caregiver and client education on how to select providers, types of care and services available and how to monitor care provision.  Provide referrals to community resources.
• Pre-placement/Relocation activities to include: counseling client and family on need for placement or other placement options, assisting client and others in sharing information with the prospective placements to secure an appropriate placement, arranging for or transporting client for pre-placement visit, Placement /Relocation of client including arranging for transportation or transporting client for placement or relocation and coordinating follow-up paperwork to place or relocate the client. 
• Case Monitoring which includes monitoring the provision of client services, contacts with client and service providers, arranging for, coordinating or providing transportation for client to service or health care providers.  Conduct monthly face to face contact with the client or more often as necessary. 
• Court Related Activities including gathering and developing information needed for petitioning for guardianship or conservatorship, meetings with clients, significant others and attorneys, preparation of court reports, appearance at hearings, file review, preparing and providing testimony for court.
• Guardianship and representative payee responsibilities including monthly visitation with the client, monitoring service provision to the client, transporting client to medical appointments and other services as needed, providing for the clients ongoing clothing and individual needs, writing and submitting annual guardian court reports, monitoring the client’s personal needs accounts, reviewing the client’s bills and account keeping for goods and services provided to the client, assuring the appropriate payment for services to the client. Acting as the client’s representative payee as needed.
• Conduct CAPS case file documentation including completion of all required CAPS documentation for referrals and cases. Prepare narratives in APS Case Comments on client situation, case investigations, client needs assessment, case plan, service provision, service effectiveness and client progress. Ongoing documentation in ROC notes of client and other contacts regarding the case.
• Coordinate and facilitate monthly Adult Protection Team Meetings.  Work with community/collateral agencies to maintain attendance and working relationships.  Staff cases as needed with collateral agencies who may be involved with a client.  Maintain communication as needed for the best interest of the adult protective services client.
• Position requires after hours On-Call duty to field emergency calls regarding Adult Protection.   Position will be on a Hotline Screener rotation during regular work hours to receive reports of neglect for adult protection and child abuse.
• Follow work schedule as stated by supervisor.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures of the County and DHS.
• Ability to work well in a team or work independently as required.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements listed below.

REQUIRED/REQUESTED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge:

• Community resources relevant to clients’ needs
• Court procedures
• Provide educational training to clients and caregivers
• Report writing analysis and presentation
• Knowledge of rules, policies and procedures pertinent to case work
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Skills:

• Computer skills adequate to perform workload
• Learn and operate software specific to DHS
• Decision making skills
• Interviewing skills for all parties involved in investigation
• Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
• Able to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Oversee financial accounts for client, balance bank accounts, write/balance checking accounts, receive funds and distribute funds as approved and necessary for the best interest of the adult protective services client.
• Time Management skills to meet required deadlines

Abilities:

• Ability to counsel clients and client support group on services needed
• Ability to handle all paperwork necessary for case work
• Ability to work with a variety of support personnel and facilities
• Ability to work with court personnel to achieve results necessary for client
• Ability to communicate well (written and spoken) in English
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries of complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that confirm to prescribed style and format. 
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.
•  Ability to work in a stressful environment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adjust to changing priorities.
• Ability to follow standards set by state rules, mandates and regulations.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• Bachelors' degree in one of the human behavioral science fields required
• Four to six years related experience and/or training preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Successfully complete state mandated Adult Protection Caseworker Academy Training.
• Maintain required ongoing training of 40 hours annually for Adult Protection.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORK CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Position requires the ability to
operate a computer keyboard at an efficient speed. This might involve repetitive hand movement and
fine coordination. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects,
tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The position is required to stand, sit for long
periods of time, talk and hear. Hearing and vision correctable to normal ranges; close-up vision and the
ability to adjust focus across an audience. Occasionally, the position may stoop, bend, kneel, crouch,
carry, twist and push and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight. The employee is required to
communicate both orally and in writing. Employee must be able to reach and manipulate objects, tools
or controls, and lift (no more than 25 pounds). The noise level may be very quiet to noisy depending on
the situation. On occasion it may be required to drive in a variety of weather conditions locally and
throughout the state. Position may also handle potentially hazardous crisis situations in client’s homes.
In making client visitation, an employee might be exposed to unsanitary conditions, contagion, and
verbal or physical abuse.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions
of this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required, and the scope of responsibility,
but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform
other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize
peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

It is the policy of Alamosa County to not discriminate against any person with regard to all federally
protected classifications including race, color, religion, sex (pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender
identity), age (over 40), national origin, marital status, any disability, genetic information and testing,
family status or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the
employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of
the job change.