Courtesy Posting: Entry Level Caseworker, Office Of The Child's Representative

POSITION INFORMATION

Organization Name: Office of the Child’s Representative

Location of position (city):Colorado Springs

Entry Level Caseworker

Salary: $5,060 - $6,336/month*

• Full-time, this position is eligible for State of Colorado benefits, including participation in retirement, health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, and short-term disability plans, and paid leave.

MISSION STATEMENT

OCR MISSION

The Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR)'s mission is to give children and youth a voice in Colorado legal proceedings through high-quality legal representation that protects and promotes their safety, interests, and rights.

OCR VISION

Justice, opportunity, and healthy families for all court-involved children and youth.

OCR VALUES

• Accountability: Colorado’s children, attorneys, families, and communities can count on OCR to ensure that each decision we make and action we take advances our mission in a fair, equitable, inclusive, and transparent manner.
• Efficiency: OCR strives to accomplish its mission and conserve resources by streamlining efforts, adhering to deadlines, resolving conflict constructively, and honoring well-defined projects, processes, and roles. We balance our drive to achieve with thoughtful planning and implementation.
• Empowerment: OCR cultivates an environment of respect, honesty, and equity. We value the diverse experiences and expertise of the children we serve, our attorneys, and our staff. We invest time to reflect and connect, focus on strengths, value feedback, and recognize success. We stand for justice and support each other in our mission to empower children

OCR OVERVIEW

The Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR) is an independent agency within the State of Colorado Judicial Branch that provides attorney guardian ad litem (GAL), child’s legal representative (CLR), and counsel for youth services to children and youth in dependency and neglect (D&N), delinquency, and other proceedings throughout Colorado. The OCR’s El Paso County Office (AKA The El Paso County Guardian ad Litem Office) is responsible for providing GAL and counsel for youth services in D&N cases, GAL services in delinquency cases and counsel services for youth accessing Colorado’s Transition Age Youth program.

The OCR’s El Paso County Office currently is the OCR’s only office providing these services through state employees (12 attorneys, 5 case consultants, and 2 administrative staff) rather than independent contracts. As such, the office provides a unique opportunity to protect the interests and advance the rights of individual children through high-quality multidisciplinary legal representation, to influence systemic change through coordinated and strategic advocacy, and to incubate and implement best practices in legal representation.

THIS POSTING IS FOR A POSITION AT THE EL PASO COUNTY GAL OFFICE.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Entry-Level Case Consultant/Coordinator position is exempt from overtime under the Federal Labor Standards Act, serving at the pleasure of the Executive Director of the Office of the Child’s Representative. All prospective employees of the Colorado Judicial Branch are subject to background investigation prior to hiring.

The Entry-Level Case Consultant/Coordinator is responsible for providing social work consultation on cases managed by the Office of the Guardian ad Litem. The Entry-Level Case Coordinator will work collaboratively with the Managing Case Coordinator, Senior Case Consultants, assigned attorneys, and community partners. The Entry- Level Case Consultant will be working in an atmosphere of support and supervision by Managing Case Coordinator and Office of Guardian ad Litem attorneys as an increase in knowledge, experience, and expertise in particular areas regarding treatment aspects and resources is developed.

The Entry-Level Case Coordinator must possess a good and competent working knowledge of all policies, procedures, processes, and ethical standards, to be available to provide quality consultation to team members.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

HOW TO APPLY:

Application packet must include the following:

• Cover letter
• Resume (Please note that per R.S. 8-2-121 Job Application Fairness Act, you may redact information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.)
• Minimum of three professional references
• Writing sample

Email the application packet to sstephenson@guardianadlitemelpaso.org by the closing date.

Applications will not be considered that are late, contain documents that are illegible, incomplete or are in a file format we cannot open or read (PDF preferred, Microsoft Word is acceptable). Be sure your application materials specifically address your experience and qualifications for the position described in this document. Successful applicants will be contacted to schedule a virtual or in person interview. Applications received after the closing date/time will not be considered.

The Office of the Child’s Representative is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. The OCR is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse work force. The OCR invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality and perspective of GAL, CFY and CLR practice.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring that the OCR El Paso County Office’s case consultant unit supports the provision of effective and exemplary multidisciplinary legal representation to children and youth in El Paso County.
• Contacts with family, school personnel, medical personnel, treating professionals, caregivers and other service providers and social supports for children to obtain information regarding the children or youth’s well-being and needs.
• Attend various types of staffings with the Department of Human Services (DHS), schools, and other community organizations to gather and contribute information relating to the well-being and needs of the children or youth.
• Assess appropriateness of Department of Human Services proposed treatment plans and service providers as it pertains to the strengths and needs of the children or youth’s family.
• Reviews discoveries and prepares social histories as assigned by Attorneys.
• Monitors individual compliance with treatment plans and timelines, as requested by the assigned attorney.

• Engaging in problem solving and exploration of available community resources to support meeting the needs of children, youth and their families.
• Acts as liaison between assigned Attorneys and all parties of the case.

• Complete other case related tasks as requested by the assigning attorney, including tasks that support compliance with the Colorado Chief Justice Directive 04-06.
• Explores available community resources as it pertains to the strengths and needs of the family.
• Conducts independent inquiries at the direction of the assigned Attorney, as assigned and needed.
• Maintaining appropriate documentation of work completed.
• Maintaining strict confidentiality of all clients, including HIPPA laws, and office business.
• Meets with children, family members and interested parties, completes home visits, as requested by assigning Attorney.
• Work collaboratively with the Managing Case Coordinator to develop expertise in consultation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS CONT.

OTHER DUTIES/TRAVEL

The OCR El Paso County Office’s primary work takes place in El Paso County; however, special projects or duties outside the primary scope of the position may be assigned by the Managing Attorney or Managing Case Coordinator. Office and agency needs may require travel to events outside of the Front Range, including meetings, training and conferences (state and national). The estimated work time to travel outside of the Front Range for this position is less than 5 percent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL / PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Undergraduate Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field

Experience with Software applications, including Microsoft Office

The ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with others.

PREFERRED EDUCATIONAL / PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s Degree in Social Work
County Department of Human Services Casework Experience

WORK ENVIRONMENT

A valid Driver’s License is required. A CBI background check is required. Personal transportation is required. Proof of Auto Insurance is required.

The position primarily requires work in an office setting, however working remotely from home is allowed occasionally. This position requires occasional out of office work to complete home visits and family visitation observations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position routinely handles emergent or crisis situations and may be frequently subject to interruptions, multiple calls and inquiries. The noise level in the shared office environment is generally moderate.