Mental Health Professional - Human Services

The Weld County Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division is searching for a Mental Health Professional to provide clinical monitoring, assessment, case planning and consultation for caseworkers to assist families involved in Child Welfare or Prevention services. Determines level of care needed for youth and secures higher level of care placement if indicated by the CANS tool. Conducts site visits and/or regular conference calls with residential childcare facilities to ensure treatment needs and safety plans are adhered to, discharge plans are developed at the time of initial placement and transition services are in place prior to step down. Utilize expertise in completing special projects and provide written and/or verbal reports.The Weld County Department of Human Services (WCDHS) employs over 450 workers, who have the skills, passion and drive to service Weld County citizens in 31 incorporated municipalities and across almost 4,000 square miles.Mission Statement: Engaging and partnering with the community to improve safety, health and well-being of individuals and families through the delivery of responsive and collaborative services.Vision Statement: The people of Weld County are connected to the resources needed to thrive in the community and feel safe and empowered. Employment Services - Offers employment opportunities, training, career planning, job skills development, workshops, job fairs, vocational skills assessments and child care related services.WCDHS collaborates with other organizations to provide assistance to thousands of Weld County citizens each year, and our staff take great pride in guiding individuals to the resources and programs available to them.Weld County Department of Human Services' greatest asset is our staff.Joining the Weld County Child Welfare teams comes with perks to support you in your personal and professional journey.Teamwork: experience what being a part of the child welfare team feels like. Be inspired by your leaders, be encouraged, and cheered on by your teammates and experience a work-life balance. Learning + Development: take on leadership development programs and goal setting to create big possibilities for your career and life. Develop within the agency; be mentored and grown as an employee from the minute you're hired. Opportunities to be part of work groups within child welfare such as our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) group, Retention and Recruitment Committee, Child Welfare Newsletter, and participation in our Newsflash for staff, to name a few. The Ideal Candidate for the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division will be someone who possesses the following traits:1. Takes initiative2. Problem solver3. Diverse experience4. Good communicator5. Team player$76,500 - $96,944 annually plus benefits (see benefits tab on the posting).As an applicant for this position, you should be aware of Senate Bill 19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The act requires employers to announce the pay range for job openings. This range encompasses the nine pay steps available should you receive the position and demonstrate satisfactory performance over time.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 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 functions. Other duties may be assigned. (any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class.)Seek out and determine appropriateness of facilities or placements for children/youth needing more in-depth care and treatment. Conduct site visits and reviews treatment plans of children/ youth placed in residential childcare facilities to ensure the needs of the children/youth are being met and addressed in coordination with the Core Services Coordinator. Evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of any Core services being provided to the family to ensure they meet established standards and best meet the needs of the child/youth.Assist caseworkers in creating treatment plans for parents and children/youth involved in child protection or delinquency cases. Help develop appropriate transition and discharge plans for children/youth in out of home placements. Provide Mental Health clinical expertise and oversight to assist caseworkers in accurately assessing factors contributing to intrapsychic, social and/or family dysfunction of children/ youth and their significant others. Assist in determining and monitoring the continuum of care for children/youth placed in out of home care. Assess for alternative services, including Core services to avoid and/or shorten placements.Work closely with Foster and Kinship families who are providing step-down care for children/youth transitioning from more intensive care facilities before returning home. Provide recommendations for appropriate and effective community, CORE and other supportive services to achieve improved outcomes of retention, movement toward adoption or further step-downs.Complete Mental Health assessments and written reports on children in the custody of Weld County using standardized assessment instruments including the CANS on youth at risk of out-of-home placement. Maintain all reports and other documentation in Trails. Testify in court regarding recommendations, findings and treatment outcomes when necessary.Maintain collaborative relationships with community agencies providing services to families involved in the Child Welfare system. Participate in Family Engagement, Team Decision Making, and court hearings as necessary. Assess appropriateness of referrals, placements, treatment modalities and outcomes. Work with caseworkers and other treatment team members to ensure continuity of care and appropriateness of services within reasonable time frames.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSRequired Education: Successful completion of a master's level degree in Social Work, Psychology or a related field. Must obtain and maintain Colorado Caseworker Certification of (40) hours of yearly training.Required licensure from the State of Colorado: Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Psychologist.Required Work Experience:Five years full-time work experience as a Social Worker, Case Worker or Mental Health Counselor. Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:Must possess ability to keyboard at 40 words per minute.Possess a valid Colorado Driver's License and Liability Insurance. Must provide own transportation and be willing to travel throughout the State. Must be willing and able to travel to other states on occasion when needed.Must pass Human Services Background Checks. Background checks include CBI/FBI fingerprinting and will continue to be monitored throughout employment.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSPrimary location will be at the Chase/Annex Building. Reliable, predictable, attendance Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Ability to enter data into several different computer programs. Ability to learn and apply new computer skills on a regular basis. Knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Windows and Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence and department policies and procedures. Ability to write correspondence.Ability to effectively communicate in one-on-one and small group situations with parents, foster parents, relative care providers, and community partners. Ability to clearly articulate concepts, directives and goals to employees, professionals and state and community representatives.Ability to apply math concepts and calculations in the work environment.Ability to apply common sense to problem solve in a work environment.Ability to adapt to fast paced, high volume and ever changing work environment and be able to handle high stress and conflict filled situations while remaining calm and professional. Must be well versed in effective conflict resolution and possess ability to deescalate hostile situations. May provide support to Caseworkers and other Child Welfare staff by temporarily watching children during family meetings, while longer term care arrangements are made or in other emergency situations.Follow Human Services policies and procedures, the Weld County Code of Conduct and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines and appropriate release of information outlined in both. Understand and implement rules and regulations for Child Welfare organizations in Colorado outlined in the State of Colorado Department of Human Services Volume 7 guidelines.Work may involve time away from a standard office environment, which may consist of driving to and from home visits and in transporting children. Work may occur in situations in client's homes, which could be considered a hostile or unsanitary environment placement facilities or other service provider facilities. After hours and on call work situations may occur on occasion in order to provide support to caseworkers and families that need services outside of normal business hours. Work office will be established, but employee may perform work on the Greeley Campus or at one of the other satellite offices when required.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee may be required to sit for extended periods of time and is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and must occasionally lift children up to 75 pounds. The employee frequently is required to use their hands and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus such as that used when using a computer or reading.Employment Type: Regular, Full-time