Job Description

Description and Functions
Open Until Filled
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The State of Wyoming's Department of Family Services is seeking a Social Services Lead Worker in the 5th Judicial District covering Park, Big Horn, Washakie, and Hot Springs Counties. This position is crucial for managing high and very high-risk family caseloads, with a core focus on building family capacity to care for children within their homes safely. The Lead Worker will facilitate safety interventions and community collaboration, and support foster care providers, including relative caregivers. Key responsibilities include conducting safety and risk assessments, developing and implementing safety plans, and providing ongoing and crisis case management. The role also involves serving as a coaching resource and mentor for newer workers, particularly in assessing risk and safety during home visits with an emphasis on maintaining children's safety in the home. This position requires a Bachelor's degree plus 2-3 years of progressive work experience, typically in child protection. Essential skills include the ability to assess risk and safety at a high level, effectively communicate conclusions, work with diverse populations in high-stress situations, and offer crisis mediation.
We believe our employees are our most valuable asset. That's why we offer:
-Competitive Compensation
-Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
-State Retirement plan
-Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
-A potential hybrid remote work arrangement is available
Human Resource Contact: Kristin Martinez/
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed in the job level.

• Responsible for administering social services and juvenile services programs.
• Manages one or more statewide or agency-wide social services or juvenile program(s).
• Determines program goals and objectives and/or chairs committees established to support the program.
• Develops and coordinates program(s) activities, services, and/or implementation with private providers, other governmental entities, program users, etc.
• Monitors and evaluates operations, programs, processes, and/or practices for quality and effectiveness; makes recommendations for improvement.
• Develops and coordinates plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision, and expectations of the agency or program.
• Responds to questions from clients and the general public.
• Draws down and manages federal funds.
• Reviews and monitors determinations made by the field staff in protection cases in regards to safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Provides technical/functional supervision to line staff through training, consultation on program(s) related to policies, updated plans, priorities, processes, practices, etc.
• Responsible for analyzing, researching, developing, and implementing statewide social services programs.
• Writes and revises program policy and procedures; trains and monitors policy implementation.
• Develops, maintains, and coordinates staff training for department personnel.
• Monitors the RFP process.
• In addition to the duties of a Social Services Worker, the lead worker will manage and/or provide consultation for high and very-high-risk cases, including investigations and assessments.
• Utilize Motivational Interviewing (MI) in gathering information for reports and building rapport.
• Support training and development of Motivational Interviewing (MI) for the office.
• Conduct safety and risk assessments and family assessments with an emphasis on creating plans to maintain children safely in their homes.
• Conduct initial and ongoing face-to-face contact with children and adults involved in reports, assessing safety, risk, service needs, and strengths of all family members.
• Develop and implement safety plans and case service plans in collaboration with families and other professionals.
• Provide ongoing and crisis case management for voluntary and court-ordered services.
• Address family dynamics such as safety, risk, poverty, housing, medical care, mental health, employment, education, financial concerns, and substance abuse.
• Provide families with appropriate referrals to satisfy needs and accomplish goals.
• Ensure clients are connected with community resources to support their safety and well-being.
• Under the guidance of a Social Services Supervisor, act as a coaching resource for new workers by specifically providing best practice coaching and training on risk and safety, including accompanying new workers on visits where risk and safety are being assessed with a focus on maintaining children safely in the home whenever possible.
• Work with community members, providers, law enforcement, schools, and medical providers in training and developing services that will mitigate immediate risk and safety concerns.

Qualifications
PREFERENCES:
Bachelor's degree in social work or related field and 2-3 years of progressive work experience in Child Welfare.
Ability to work a flexible schedule which may include evenings, nights, holidays, weekends, and on-call hours.
KNOWLEDGE:

• Advanced Casework Management: Proven ability to manage complex caseloads involving high and very high-risk individuals and families, including conducting thorough investigations and assessments.
• Crisis Intervention and De-escalation: Demonstrated proficiency in defusing potentially volatile situations and providing effective crisis planning and support in high-stress environments.
• Culturally Safe Practice: Capacity to effectively engage and work with diverse populations, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and responsiveness.
• Sound Judgment and Decision-Making: Ability to exercise appropriate authority and make sound, timely decisions, particularly in critical situations related to child safety and well-being.
• Expert Risk and Safety Assessment: High-level capability in assessing risk and safety factors, including the development and implementation of comprehensive safety plans, and communicating conclusions to all relevant parties.
• Interagency Collaboration and Facilitation: Strong aptitude for working directly with community partners, including law enforcement, mental health, substance abuse, and medical professionals, and effectively facilitating professional groups.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to mentor and train new social services workers, provide best practice coaching, and direct workflow in the supervisor's absence. Organizational and Documentation Proficiency: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage detailed case documentation, write court reports, maintain contracts, and ensure adherence to policy and procedure.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) Expertise: Proficiency in utilizing Motivational Interviewing techniques for information gathering, building rapport with families, and supporting evidence-informed practices.
• Policy and Procedure Acumen: Strong understanding of relevant policies and procedures, with the ability to answer questions, direct workers to appropriate resources, and contribute to local office procedure development.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Bachelor's Degree (typically in Social Services)
Experience:
2-3 years of progressive work experience (typically in Social Services Programs) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Social Services Worker
OR
Education & Experience Substitution:
4-6 years of progressive work experience (typically in Social Services Programs) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Social Services Worker
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
None
Necessary Special Requirements
PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This position takes place in an average work environment.

NOTES:

• FLSA: non-exempt
• All positions within the Department of Family Services will require a background information check, including the taking of fingerprints, which will be completed through the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Family Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for every successful applicant.

Supplemental Information
Click to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.
URL:
The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.
Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.
Working for the State of Wyoming means more than a job - it's a stable, rewarding career that lets you make a difference while enjoying a great quality of life.
Employees enjoy:

• Comprehensive health coverage - medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
• Voluntary Benefits - including life insurance for you and family members, ambulance, pet insurance, short/long-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts
• Multiple retirement options - including the Wyoming Retirement System and a 457B account, helping you plan for long-term financial security
• Generous paid leave and flexible schedules - vacation, sick leave, paid FMLA and 11 paid holidays each year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility - for those with qualifying student loans
• Training and professional development - to support your career growth and advancement
• Employee Assistance Program - Includes paid short-term counseling, legal, financial and work-life benefits and select employee discounts
• Wellness Program - Earn paid time off and incentives by focusing on your personal health
• WORKING FOR THE GREATEST STATE IN THE NATION - Wyoming offers a lifestyle you can't find anywhere else - wide-open spaces, clean air, friendly communities, year-round recreation, and no state income tax.

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Skills Required