The Social Worker-Developmental Disabilities/Adult Services/Adult Protection position provides professional level counseling and consultation and administers a variety of social services to individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and mental illness. This position is also responsible for investigating vulnerable adult mistreatment and abuse and administers a variety of socials services to County residents in need.
Direct Service Duties and Responsibilities
- Meets with clients to provide on-going support, counseling, and assessment to assist in determining needs, strength, and goals.
- Investigates Adult Protection Reports.
- Conducts screening, determines program eligibility, and refers clients to a variety of support services such as drug treatment, family counseling, mental/emotional counseling, parenting skills development, residential programs, rehabilitation programs and work programs.
- Works closely with other County and State departments and law enforcement to investigate problems and determine needs in the overall administration of social services and mental health to community members, which includes petitioning the court, protective supervision, guardianship, permanency, implementing court orders, and reporting to the court.
- Interviews and assesses the social service needs of children with mental health needs and their families. of a variety of clients such as drug dependents, children in need and families.
- Refers clients to a variety of support services to address mental health needs; which may include individual psychotherapy, parenting education, and other advocacy with other systems.
- Collaborates with other community agencies and resources and refers clients. Identifies available and develops new resources.
- Conducts screening intakes.
- Develops and writes case plans, documents client performance by maintaining timely and accurate case notes and functional assessments, monitors and evaluates the quality and appropriateness of treatments.
- Provides after hours and on-call response. Performs on-call duties, as needed.
- Interprets policies and regulations to clients and their families.
- Provides client transportation to field trips and home.
- Works closely with other county departments to collaborate on determining needs in the overall administration of mental health services. - Organizes and provides public education, community outreach, and public relations. Attends community meetings, networking and regional social worker and public health meetings, as needed. Determines needs, develops formats, arranges locations, and makes group presentations.
- Prepares and maintains a variety of records and paperwork ensuring compliance with federal, state and agency requirements. Reports all actions in SSIS computer software.
- Meets with child protection team and other staff meetings to consult on cases, discuss procedure updates, and review changes within the agency.
- Maintains training/educational competencies and own professional development.
- Works with other County and State departments.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducts Long term care and disability assessments to determine program eligibility and refer clients to a variety of support services such as: residential programs, vocational programs, guardianship services, medical and mental health services, residential treatment providers, vocational rehabilitation providers, representative payee agencies and fiscal support entities.
- Meeting with clients to develop case plans, provide on-going support, counseling and assessment to assist in determining needs, strengths and goals.
- Conduct client/guardian evaluation of services.
- General knowledge of Rule 185 Case Management and Waiver Program requirements.
- Negotiating and approving services and rates for Waivered Services.
- Conflict resolution between clients and service providers.
- Daily consultation and decision-making regarding Adult Maltreatment Reports
- Investigating vulnerable adult abuse and neglect reports by taking information, completing assessments, determining imminent danger and assessing need for criminal action.
- Assists the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services with public guardianship
- Prepares petitions and court reports regarding guardianship, out of home placement plans and permanency.
- Monitor clients' finances as representative payee, create budget with client, monitor expenses monthly
- Evaluates providers by conducting site inspections.
While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.
Position Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of social work, human development, and psychology.
- Knowledge and understanding of laws governing social services.
- Knowledge of social work ethics.
- Knowledge of child mental and physical health and child protection laws and policies.
- Knowledge of local and regional resources, organizations, and agencies.
- Skill in individual, family and group counseling.
- Ability to interview, assess and evaluate mental and physical health and needs of clients. - Ability to develop presentations and present to groups and individuals.
- Ability to write reports and maintain records.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and data privacy.
- Ability to deal with aggressive, uncooperative, or out-of-control behaviors.
- Ability to de-escalate crisis situations.
- Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved.
- Ability to perform complex work requiring analytical ability and inductive thinking to adapt policies and procedures to fit situations.
- Ability to communicate and maintain relationships with clients and others to motivate behavior, enforce rules and gain trust.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology or a related field.
- One to three years of experience.
- Or a combination of education and experience to successfully perform job duties.
Licenses/Certifications
This position will require the acquisition and maintenance of the following additional certificates/licenses:
- Bachelor's Degree
- MN Merit Eligibility
- Driver's License
Equipment and Tools
- Office equipment and technology
- Occasional use of car
Physical and Mental Requirements
This job typically requires: sitting, standing, walking, driving, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. There is exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 60 pounds of force.
The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a variety of office and home settings. Individuals may be subject to unsanitary environments. May be subject to angry, uncooperative or out of control persons.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Competencies Common to All County Positions
- Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures
- Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
- Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
- Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
- Represent Freeborn County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.
*****You must complete both the Freeborn County and Merit applications to be considered for this position. Completed applications along with cover letter and resume are due by 12:00 PM Friday, October 9th, 2026. Please call 507.377.5400 with any questions. Salary range - $72,992 - $97,308.
You can find the Freeborn County application at www.co.freeborn.mn.us and the Merit application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mnmeritsystem
