Children’s Services Worker (Specialized Assessment Caseworker) (4875-12)
Be part of our Team! We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a second-chance employer and a recovery friendly workplace.
Highly Competitive Employee Benefits and Generous Paid Time Off
11 Paid Holidays, Immediately Begin with 40 hours Paid Vacation if No Prior Service.
Ohio Public Employee Retirement System which includes 14% Employer Contribution AND a defined benefit option.
Highly Competitive and Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, HRA, Dental, Vision, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Parental Leave, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility, Commuter Stipend or Free On-Site Parking, Wellness Incentives, robust Employee Assistance Program, access to Free Medical and Rx through Marathon Health, plus expansive Behavioral and Mental Health Resources, and More!
DEADLINE TO APPLY: August 31, 2026
WORK LOCATION:
Job & Family Services
1701 Patricia McCollum Way
Cincinnati, OH 45237
WORK HOURS: 40 hours Weekly
(Potential for Hybrid Remote Work Schedule)
HOURLY SALARY: $26.52
NOTE: Applicants for positions with Hamilton County Job and Family Services are subject to background screening in accordance with the document: "Offenses that May Disqualify Candidates for Employment." Convictions from this list may disqualify a candidate for employment with HCJFS.
Applicants for Children’s Services positions cannot provide foster care for children in the custody of Hamilton County.
REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION):
- Bachelor's degree in human services-related field or
- Bachelor’s degree in any field and has two (2) years’ work experience in a human service-related occupation.
- A bachelor's or master's in a human services-related field would be required within 5 years.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license issued in the state of residency.
- Must have the use of an insured automobile.
- A criminal records check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the FBI is required
JOB DUTIES (SUMMARY):
- Responds to and completes Specialized and Third-Party Assessments of child safety in response to Intake Reports of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or neglect of children when the maltreater is responsible for the care of a child in an out-of-home care setting (i.e. school teacher, day camp counselor, foster parent, kinship provider, pre- finalized adoptive parent, employee of a residential facility, licensed/approved child care provider or facility), has access to child by virtue of his/her employment or affiliation with an institution (i.e. Boy/Girl Scout leader, athletic coach), or has a potential conflict of interest with agency (i.e. employee, contract provider).
- Conducts face to face interviews with children, caregivers/parents/out of home caretakers, alleged maltreaters and witnesses. Collects pertinent collateral information from other persons, service providers, and community partners. Consults with Placement, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), law enforcement, licensing authorities, and other collateral parties as necessary.
- Provides recommendations relating to the ongoing use of an out of home care provider and/or conditions of corrective action. Makes licensing recommendations to licensing entities. Completes required notifications to out of home care settings and licensing and supervising authorities. Assessment shall include pertinent information collection from all parties regarding alleged maltreatment, surrounding circumstances, adult and child functioning, parenting practices, and discipline to ensure an accurate safety determination. Visits are conducted in homes, schools, hospitals, and other community settings as required.
- Responds to and completes Ongoing Assessments of child safety in response to Intake Reports of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and dependency screened in on Cases receiving Ongoing case management services. Works collaboratively with Ongoing staff who have primary case responsibility.
- Meets mandated timeframes and in accordance with federal, state and agency policy.
- Reviews previous Children’s Services history, criminal history, court involvement and other applicable information for all individuals associated with Intake report.
- Conducts and engages families in face-to-face interviews with all children in the household of assessment, parent/caregiver(s), and alleged maltreater(s) to determine child safety. Conducts interviews in homes, schools, hospitals, and other community settings as required. Assessment shall include pertinent information collection from all parties regarding alleged maltreatment, surrounding circumstances, adult and child functioning, parenting practice and discipline to ensure an accurate safety determination.
- In consultation with supervisor, conducts informed response to Intake Reports, assesses and determines child safety at every contact, identifies present and impending danger threats to child safety, and determines the disposition of the Intake Report within mandatory time frames.
- Gathers information and analyzes parent/caregiver/placement provider protective capacities.
- Partners with family and/or treatment team to develop and implement safety plans (present danger and impending danger) for children determined not to be safe.
- When necessary, seeks medical evaluation of alleged child victims and completes referrals to law enforcement
- Responsible for written documentation of assessment activities within required time frames including but not limited to Safety and Family Assessments, Ongoing and Specialized Assessments, Activity Logs, and Present Danger and Impending Danger Safety Plans.
- Responsible for other mandated paperwork as outlined by state regulations and agency policy.
- Consults with the Prosecutors office and seeks Court intervention as needed. Prepares Requests for Legal Action and provides court testimony to support Children’s Services position. Responsible for case presentation at Dispositional Appeal Hearings and Foster Home Quality Review. Attends all relevant Dependency and Criminal Court Hearings as related to case assignments. Participates in Child Abuse Team Meeting with Children’s
- Hospital Child Abuse Team when necessary
- Attends required training. Must attend and complete Caseworker CORE Training within first year of employment and thirty-six hours for every year thereafter. Must attend twelve hours of Domestic Violence Training and Human Trafficking Training within first two years of employment.
- Must be available to communicate during work hours and on emergency basis for after- hours calls; Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (*Indicates can be developed after employment)
- Knowledge of: OAC/ORC as relevant to Children’s Services Practice, Children’s Services Policy and Procedure, Hamilton County Policy and Procedures, government structure and process; motivational and forensic interviewing, trauma informed practices, case management, child welfare practice; safety decision making
- Skill In: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Organization, Family centered, strength- based approach when engaging children and families; interpretation and application of training, instructional and procedural materials; professional in crisis and stressful situations, demonstrates proficiency in mobile technology
- Ability to: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Organization, Family centered, strength- based approach when engaging children and families; interpretation and application of training, instructional and procedural materials; professional in crisis and stressful situations, demonstrates proficiency in mobile technology
ESSENTIAL JOB FACTORS:
- Must undergo a background check via the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI). Must have a car, valid driver’s license issued by the state of residency and required auto liability insurance.
AGENCY PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Degree in Social Work
- Licensed Social Worker
PHYSICAL and/or MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Potential to see and/or hear traumatic events/situations
- Drive long distances (no overnight required)
- Frequently enter and exit motor vehicle
- Lift and carry children, child car seats, and infant carrier and large case files
- Stand for long periods of time, frequently climb and descend stairs
- Significant walking to, from, and during home visits, supervised visitation, court, meetings, and other obligations
- Sit for extended periods while working on the computer, during home visits, court hearings etc.
- Stooping, bending, crouching
POSITIONS SUPERVISED:
HAZARDOUS and/or WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Potentially dangerous situations that could involve upset or violent adults and children
- Animals, insects, rodents in family homes
- Unstable structures
- Drive to and conduct home visits despite extreme temperatures and inclement weather
BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED:
Background checks consistent with requirements in OAC 5101:2-5-09 must be completed at employment and every ten years following, including but not limited to the following systems:
- State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)
- State Child/Abuse Neglect Central Registry Check for any state in which the applicant resided within the last five years
- Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification Investigation (BCI)
- FBI
- National Sex Offender Public website (WWW.NSOPW.Gov) Code 5101:2-5-09 must be conducted for each prospective employee
