Social Worker Child Protection On-Going

SALARY
$65,374.40 - $97,968.00 Annually
LOCATION
Elk River 55330-1692, MN
JOB TYPE
Full Time
JOB NUMBER
2025-01697
DEPARTMENT
Health & Human Services
OPENING DATE
08/13/2025
CLOSING DATE
8/27/2025 11:59 AM Central
Job Summary
Do you have a desire to better the lives of the children of Sherburne County?  
Join our professional team of Social Workers in the Child & Family Services Unit of Sherburne County Human Services!
Ongoing child protection case management involves assessing a family's needs, helping in the development of a safety plan focusing on the strengths of the family, and coordinating services to ensure child safety. Case managers monitor progress through regular contact and assessments, provide referrals, ensure continuity of care between agencies, and document all activities. The primary goal is child safety, which may lead to reunification with parents, finding an alternative permanent home through adoption, or, in some cases, permanent removal from the family.
Our Mission: The mission of Sherburne County Health and Human Services (SCHHS) is to promote and protect the health, safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency of Sherburne County residents.          
Our Vision: It is the intent of the organization to provide human service programs to the residents of Sherburne County, designed to protect and enhance the lives of vulnerable populations (such as the developmentally disabled, children in need of protective services, vulnerable adults, mentally ill, and others).
The work of Sherburne County Health and Human Services is governed by the pillars of serving People, through collaboration and Partnership, to help resident achieve Prosperity, using an Equity lens in all we do.

This position is located at the Government Center in Elk River, MN, however will also require work in the field. Our regular business hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, though the department provides staff with flexibility in effort to strive for a desired work/life balance. Sherburne County is one of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota, where you can find a nice blend of suburban and rural life. If you are interested in bringing your skill and talent to a dynamic department in a growing community, we encourage you to apply for this great opportunity.
Learn more about our workplace culture and a brief overview of our employee benefits.

As a thriving organization fueled by people passionate about serving our community, Sherburne County strives to support and engage employees through investments in competitive compensation and equitable benefits; a culture that promotes physical and emotional wellbeing; opportunities for professional growth and a sense of honor and purpose.



Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position.  These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Utilize knowledge of resources to make decisions as to which resources are most appropriate to meet client needs and to make referrals (both verbally and in writing) to resources.
• Obtain and coordinate information to determine needs of the client, taking into consideration the diagnostic assessment, social history, physical status, emotional needs, family support and community resources.
• Utilize counseling skills to assist crisis clients in discussion of problems related to individual or family dynamics or problems.
• Utilize intensive in-home and other resources to prevent family break-up and out of home placements.
• Meet with the unit supervisor to evaluate the appropriateness of court involvement.
• Prepare the child and/or family members for the Court process.
• Attend all court hearings regarding the issues at hand (emergency protective care, adjudicatory, dispositional reviews, permanency).

• Determine when out of home placement may be necessary, initiate this process and follow through to completion.
• Provide testimony in court regarding the matter before the court, the role of health and human services.
• Utilize a Signs of Safety Approach to maintain children within their home whenever possible or assist with reunification if removed.  
• Submit all reports and information to the Court in a timely manner.

• Monitor and supervise the progress and plans of the child in placement.
• Conduct an administrative team review once every six months on each child who continues to remain in out-of-home placement.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work or closely related field.
 
 Must have a valid MN driver's license and reliable vehicle.
Experience:  
Social Worker I: Minimum of completed Social Work internship or closely related field/less than 1 year of Social Work experienc.
Social Worker II: Minimum of 1 year of Social Work experience or equivalent education plus work experience
Desirable training/experience/education:

• Social Worker CORE/Foundation training
• Signs of Safety training
• Trauma training
• SSIS training
• Child Welfare IV-E Scholar preferred
   

Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skills needed include interviewing, information collection, assessment, counseling, program development, advocacy skills, report writing and resource development, maintain objectivity.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of all Federal/State laws, Department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of court processes, mental health, maltreatment, and delinquency.
• Demonstrate by personal example the service excellence and integrity expected from all employees.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including sharing knowledge with others and participating in new employee training.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with human services staff, other county employees, clients and the public.
• Confer regularly with and keep one's immediate supervisor informed on all important matters pertaining to assigned job accountabilities.
• Represent the County in a professional manner to all clients, professionals, and community members when doing the County's business.
• Ability to handle confidential and data privacy issues appropriately.
• Ability to handle contentious issues appropriately.
• Ability to solve problems and determine appropriate course of action.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrams or schedule forms.
• Ability to manage crisis situations.

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees

• Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's vision, mission, and values.
• Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and county-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
• Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Informs immediate supervisor of all-important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
• Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
• Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
• Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

Hiring Salary Range: 
Social Worker I: $31.43 - $37.72/hour (Grade 12)
Social Worker II:  $33.63 - $40.37/hour (Grade 13)
Union: Teamsters
Vacancies: 1

Interviews: Selected candidates will be informed via email by August 28th to self-schedule a 10-minute phone interview for the first week of September.

Location:
The first 6 months will be on-site at 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River MN 55330, then after options for working remote.


Hours of Work 
Usual work schedule of 40 hours per week generally during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; may include occasional evening and weekend hours.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
Must be able to endure extended travel, up to 8 hours or more per day. Must be able to provide own means of transportation when county vehicles are not available. May be required to travel to remote areas and in all weather conditions.
Must be able to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (15-25 pounds).
 
Typical Working Environment:
80% Inside Work (office and field work), 20% Travel. (These percentages are an estimate and may vary based on job duties.)
Work is performed both in the office and in the field (some examples of settings include client’s: homes, apartments, hospitals, group homes, schools, shelters, correctional facilities, and treatment facilities). Headaches, eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury in the office. Field visits to clients’ homes may expose employee to unsanitary conditions, communicable illnesses, infrequent exposure to health hazards, unpredictable and/or unsafe environments.
Likelihood of verbal abuse and threats from hostile, frustrated clients and may include unpredictable situations.
Employer
Sherburne County
Address
Sherburne County Government Center
13880 Business Center Drive NW
Elk River, Minnesota, 55330-1692
Phone
763-765-3001
Website
http://www.co.sherburne.mn.us