Salary : $71,433.64 - $107,150.46 Annually
Location : Plato Building, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Social Services
Division: CFS/InvestDiffResponse2
Opening Date: 06/09/2026
Closing Date: 6/22/2026 11:59 PM Central
Union: Local 151 - Human Services
FLSA Status: nonexempt

Position Summary

The current vacancy is in the Children and Family Services Division of the Social Services Department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.

To investigate, assess and provide intervention and treatment services in order to protect children from child abuse, neglect and exploitation; to prepare and implement case management plans for the treatment of child abuse, the protection of victims; to participate in legal actions arising from child abuse case activities; and perform related duties as assigned.

Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of 'flex work eligible', meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county's flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County's Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Examples of Work Performed

1. Investigate reports of child abuse (including physical or sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation) within legal limits by interviewing and taking formal statements from family members and other involved persons, and by interviewing children in accordance with approved child interviewing methods in order to refute or substantiate reports, determine whether children are in immediate danger of abuse and to document information needed for court proceedings and protection planning.
2. Initiate necessary child protection actions, such as petitioning for court orders to remove children or parents from the home, arranging for in-home services or contacting police in order to provide immediate protection for children.
3. Assess individual and family ability to respond to treatment by evaluating clients' cognitive skills, motivation to change, and past history of treatment in order to develop reasonable case plans.
4. Write and implement protection plan to reduce the risk of further abuse or neglect, maintain the family unit intact and ensure that needed services are used.
5. Write and file with court a formal case plan according to required format for any child in placement or involved in court proceedings.
6. Identify family needs and make referrals to other agency or community resources such as residential treatment, public health services or parent counseling.
7. Gather information (such as social histories, client compliance with previous court orders, and list of possible witnesses) and prepare reports for submission to the County Attorney for use in petitioning for court intervention such as termination of parental rights or provision of protective supervision.
8. Testify at legal proceedings, recommend future court reviews and prepare other witnesses to testify.
9. Provide crisis intervention by assisting clients to obtain emergency housing, food, clothing, financial assistance or protection.
10. Provide individual and family counseling, behavior modification programming and other treatment such as play therapy to improve family functioning, prevent child placement or facilitate family reunification.
11. Transport or arrange transportation for clients to medical appointments, court hearings, placements, and other mandated services to assist clients to receive service.
12. Monitor clients' progress toward established service goals and compliance with court orders to determine need for continuation of services.
13. Arrange for adoption, long-term foster care or independent living situation for children when attempts at family reunification have failed to provide a safe home.
14. Physically remove unwilling child from harmful environment to place in safe residence.
15. Write social histories and accurate case records (such as service referrals, quarterly evaluation of client progress toward goals, legal actions) according to department requirements.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in a social/behavioral science and 12 additional credits eligible for tuition refund or equivalent.

Experience: Six months of experience in child welfare social work or one year general social work experience.

Substitution: Experience as a Ramsey County Case Aide Senior may substitute for general social work experience on the basis that two years Case Aide Senior experience equals one year of general social work experience. A maximum of two years Ramsey County Case Aide Senior experience can be substituted for general social work experience. A Master's Degree in Social Work or other related social/behavioral science may substitute for the experience requirement.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

Other: All employees must successfully complete all continuing education requirements for child protection workers as specified by state law.
Exam/Screening Process Information
Upload Unofficial Transcripts to be considered
Training and Experience 100%

The examination for Child Protection Worker will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions - do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" do not cut and paste resume as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Child Protection Worker. The list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for three months or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted. The names of all applicants who pass the examination with a score of 35 or higher will be forwarded to the department for further consideration.

Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance - three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance - two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance - Advantage Plan offered

• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan

• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
  • Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay

• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
  • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation

• Transit and parking
  • Fully funded Metropass.
  • Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account

• Employee well-being
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions

• Life Insurance and Disability leave
  • County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
  • Long-term Disability - County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee's lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
  • Short-term Disability - option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period

• Career development
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
  • Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Employee resource groups - help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues