Social Worker I/II - Ongoing Child Protection

Salary: $70,720.00 - $96,470.40 Annually
Location : Government Center, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00197
Department: Community Services Dept
Division: Social Services Childrens Division
Opening Date: 10/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 PM Central

JOB SPECIFICS
This is a Social Worker I/II position doing ongoing child protection in the Children's Division. This role offers a dynamic and meaningful opportunity to work with children and families across a wide range of case types and circumstances.

In this position, social workers carry a diverse caseload that may include:

• In-home and out-of-home placement cases
• Court-involved and non-court cases
• Truancy and educational neglect cases
• ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children) cases
• Children and youth across all age ranges

The core of this work centers on supporting parents and caregivers by connecting them to critical services that promote safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing. This frequently includes coordination of resources related to:

• Chemical health
• Mental health
• Parenting education and support
• Other community-based services

Social workers in this role collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary network of professionals, including schools, therapists, medical providers, attorneys, and community partners, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children while strengthening family functioning.

This position is ideal for a social worker who:

• Is a strong communicator and collaborator, able to engage effectively with families and professionals
• Can balance meaningful, direct work with families alongside timely and thorough documentation
• Brings empathy, critical thinking, and sound judgment to complex family situations
• Thrives in a position where no two days are the same
• Seeks to be a part of a strong, supportive team

Additional Expectations

• Travel within the state may be required to meet with families or support case needs
• Participation in court processes, including testifying, is a regular component of the role
• Managing significant documentation responsibilities in compliance with policy and timelines

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who values variety, purpose-driven work, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years paid work experience as a child protection social worker in a county or tribal agency
• Experience interacting with and providing services to individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Paid work experience working with children and families
• Master's degree in social work (or related)
• Experience using SSIS

SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.
HOURS / DAYS: 8:00 - 4:30 Monday - Friday. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.
ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $70,720.00 - $96,470.40 Annually (This position may be hired at the level, depending on qualifications.)

JOB SUMMARY
The Social Worker I is an entry level position responsible for identifying and assessing complex individual, family and community problems and strengths, selecting case work, group methods or community resources and implementing plans to protect vulnerable people, promote independence and prevent abuse or neglect.

A Social Worker I may be assigned duties in any of the following units: Family/Children, Licensing, Chemical Health, Adult Mental Health, Development Disabilities, Adult Family Services, Adult Protection, Minnesota Family Investment Program/WorkForce Center or Housing.

EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field, or equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field and one year of related experience as a Social Worker is highly desirable.

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field and four years of full-time work experience as a Social Worker in a public human services agency and/or a private human services agency that contracts services with a public human services agency. A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field may substitute for up to one year of required Social Worker experience. Required Social Work experience must have occurred after receipt of Bachelor's Degree.

Additional requirements for specific unit assignments will be identified when a vacancy occurs.

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace;
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles, techniques, practices and ethics of Social Work;
• Demonstrates knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills at conducting interviews;
• Demonstrates knowledge of relevant laws, policies and resources;
• Demonstrates knowledge of social and economic problems and family systems;
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal and court proceedings;
• Demonstrates ability to assess vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals and families;
• Demonstrates ability to develop clear and reasonable services and plans;
• Demonstrates ability to coordinate implementation of services and plans with families, other agencies and the community at large;
• Demonstrates ability to counsel and offer supportive services to individuals and families including those in crisis; and
• Demonstrates ability to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to complex situations.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Coordinate client intake:
• Receive referrals, conduct interviews and investigate to identify and assess problems or need for intervention/service;
• Develop, write, implement and monitor strength-based individual and family service plans to correct/eliminate identified problems;
• Determine appropriate resources and referrals to community-based care and services; and
• Develop and implement abuse prevention plans to address vulnerabilities.

Determine and implement intervention services:
• Assess risks to self and others (abuse or neglect and dangerousness);
• Intervene in crisis situations;
• Coordinate and secure emergency services; and
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts.

Provide client case management:
• Collaborate and consult with others (professional staff and community agencies) regarding clients, community services or programs;
• Open and maintain client case records and files according to established standards and timelines,
• Prepare necessary correspondence, required narratives, eligibility reviews and other incoming/outgoing communication about the client;
• Provide appropriate information regarding case openings, closings, and denials;
• Provide testimony or written recommendations in county or district court or in administrative appeal hearings regarding client cases;
• Advise clients of possible resources, rights and responsibilities under programs or services; and
• Develop, coordinate and deliver program information to the general public, special interest groups and professional organizations.

Perform other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Semi-sedentary involving office and outside field work. Lifting requirement may include lifting up to 20 pounds. Exposures may include but not be limited to disagreeable odors, communicable diseases, bodily fluids and behavior challenges. Use of general office equipment to include telephone, cell phone, pager, personal computer, laptop computer, electronic recorder, calculator, etc. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.
Washington County offers a comprehensive including paid time off, holidays, medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance.

For a more detailed overview of our AFSCME exempt (salaried ) benefit package,

For a more detailed overview of our AFSCME non-exempt (hourly) benefit package,
01

Thorough completion of the supplemental questions is required. Responses lacking sufficient detail or stating 'see resume' may result in disqualification. All work experience referenced must be included in your application and is subject to verification. I understand that providing false information, failing to accurately represent my qualifications, or not providing required documentation as listed in the job announcement may result in disqualification from this position.

• Yes

02

This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field, or equivalent. Please indicate below whether you possess these minimum qualification:

• Yes
• No

03

If you indicated meeting the minimums by having an equivalent combination of education and experience, please briefly describe the combination and explain why you feel it is equivalent. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
04

Do you have a Master's degree in social work (or related)?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide a brief summary of the degree you earned and the name of the educational institution where you obtained it. If you answered "No," please enter "N/A" in the text box.
06

Do you have 2 years of paid work experience as a child protection social worker in a county or tribal agency?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of your experience and the name of the employer(s) where you gained that experience. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
08

Do you have experience interacting with and providing services to individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds?

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of your experience and the name of the employer(s) where you gained that experience. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
10

Do you have paid work experience working with children and families?

• Yes
• No

11

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of your experience and the name of the employer(s) where you gained that experience. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
12

Do you have experience using SSIS?

• Yes
• No

13

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of your experience and the name of the employer(s) where you gained that experience. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
Required Question