Otter Tail County is accepting applications for a full-time Child Protection Social Worker.

The purpose of the position is to provide intake, assessment, and ongoing direct services and case management supervision for children and families that have been identified as needing protection from maltreatment and coordinate and provide services to those children and families residing in Otter Tail County when needs have been identified.  Workers need to establish collaborative relationships, participate and assist with the implementation of unit and agency goals, policies and procedures to provide optimal services to clients based on resources available to the agency. 

Human Services employees perform work in the Fergus Falls and New York Mills locations.  The current opening is in Fergus Falls.   

• Assess client health and safety within their environment based on social history presenting problem, observation and intake services.
• Determine immediate risks to health and safety and take appropriate action.
• Conduct formal assessments and screenings to collect, compile and analyze information to address client's desires and needs.
• Facilitate the Investigation and Assess Reports of Child Abuse or Neglect.
  • Receive report and determine appropriate steps to take for completing an assessment.
  • Review prior reports, files, history and information.
  • Contact appropriate law enforcement agency to coordinate assessment.
  • Interview child/children, parents, collateral contacts, view living conditions, collect evidence as need determines within timelines established by rules and statutes. 
  • Coordinate with members of child protection team (legal, medical, law enforcement) in determination if maltreatment has occurred, risk to child and necessary immediate interventions.
  • Assist in preparation of petition for family or criminal court.  Assist the County Attorney's Office by providing information needed to prepare case for court
  • Prepare report on interview and actions taken during assessment and all mandated forms within time frame established by rules and statutes.  Make a determination of maltreatment and whether or not protective services are needed.
  • Provide ongoing services as needed to ensure the risk to the child is reduced.  Complete the assessment within time frames required by rules and statutes.
• Alternative Response Assessments
  • Receive report and review prior files, reports, history and information. 
  • Make contact with family and set up an appointment.
  • Interview parents, children/child, the living conditions, gather information as needed to determine the need for on-going services and/or safety of children/child.
  • Coordinate with or contact schools, mental health providers, other providers involved with the family to determine need for on going services.
  • Prepare reports and complete assessment within time frame required by rules and statutes.
• Assess risk of institutionalization.
• Assist clients in developing a plan of service to meet identified needs.
• Provide necessary intervention through the development of services and treatment plans including the authorization of funding, monitoring and implementation of case plan.
• Provide case management to assist families and individuals through appropriate use of county and community resources.
  • Regular review of plan effectiveness.
  • Complete ongoing training and education.
  • Advocate and develop system changes and service development.
  • Maintain case file records and documents.
  • Consult with program/unit staff.
  • Inform clients of program/service options and process to access.
  • Interpret laws/rules/policy.
  • Maintain a caseload where there is need for assessment and ongoing social services.
  • Licensing of providers as dictated by state statute as a county agency responsibility.
  • Preparation, documentation and testimony in court actions.
  • Represent unit, department or agency in community assignments and groups.
  • Act as designated legal representative for wards of count/state by determining/authorizing services for medical, education, residential, advance directives and end of life issues.
  • Delegate/coordinate responsibilities of team members and providers and monitor services  to ensure that client needs are being met.
• Provide Child Protection Unit coverage as assigned.
• Have knowledge and understanding of IV-E, CW-TCM, Insurance, and other forms of reimbursement. 
• Complete required forms and contacts to ensure Third Party Reimbursement when available.
• Provide Foster Home Placement Services:
  • Conduct a screening meeting to assess the appropriateness of placement.
  • Arrange and provide a pre-placement visit for children going into foster care
  • Complete a Placement Plan in accordance with laws and rules.
  • Visit the foster home, child and natural parents to assure effective communication of expectations.
  •  Visit the foster home a minimum of monthly.
  • Meet with family a minimum of monthly.
  • Ensure visits between children and any sibling not in placement and natural parents are carried out according to the foster placement.
  • Provide for supervision of visitation when concerns of safety for the child.
  • Provide education, make referrals, and monitor services to the child and their family to ensure either are returned home when the children or permanent planning of each child.
• Provide After-Hour Emergency Service (on-call) Regarding Child Maltreatment or Other Social Service Emergencies:
  • Be available to provide services after hours on an on-call basis through the Sheriff's Department.
  • Provide crisis intervention services with law enforcement personnel to children and families.
  • Report on-call activity to supervisor on on-call duty reimbursement form at the close of each on-call weekly period.
• Education and Community Participation
  • Present the Touch Program in designated schools.
  • Participate in Child Abuse Prevention Activities as needed
  • Assist with SELF-Program as needed.
  • Participate in the Child Protection Teams in the area in which you are providing services.
  • Speak to community groups and school classes on child protection and mandated reporter information as requested.
  • Participate in other commitment groups as requested and approved by supervisor.
• Initiate Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings When Appropriate
  • Document specific case happenings to support a petition for termination of parental rights.
  • Assist County Attorney in preparation of the petition for termination of parental rights.
  • Appear as a witness in court proceedings.
  • Provide services to parents and children during termination proceedings.
  • Upon successful termination, locate adoptive for child/children
  • Work with Adoption Social Worker on all relevant information and task to be completed to finalize placement and adoption.
• Administrative tasks
  • Attend staff and supervisor/supervision meetings as scheduled
  • Attend conferences as scheduled or agreed upon with supervisor
  • Attend trainings as related to job responsibilities
  • Complete documentation, agency timesheets, and employee records in a timely manner
  • Communicate schedule changes with supervisor
  • Utilize the status (In/Out) Board consistently to keep agency staff aware of availability
  • Utilize SSIS as the case management system, including time documentation, case notes, documents and other systems as applicable. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.

• Bachelor's degree with a major in social work, psychology, sociology, or closely related field OR
• Bachelor's degree with a major in any field and one year experience as a social worker.
• Valid Driver's License in the State of Minnesota

This is a full-time, 40 hours/week position, and generally the work hours are Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 p.m.  The 2025 starting salary is $33.43 per hour, depending on qualifications, with potential career advancement to $53.02 per hour.