Child Welfare Specialist Trainee 1, 2, 3,

CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST TRAINEE

SS411$35,734 - $64,314

Creation Date: 03/03/2003

Change Date: 04/18/2023FUNCTION OF WORK:

To train in performing professional child welfare services for the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families as mandated by state and federal laws.LEVEL OF WORK:

Entry.SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Direct from a Child Welfare Supervisor.SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None.LOCATION OF WORK:

Department of Children and Family Services.JOB DISTINCTIONS:

Differs from Child Welfare Services Assistant by the presence of training to perform professional child welfare services.Differs from Child Welfare Specialist 1 by the absence of independence in the performance of assigned duties.EXAMPLES OF WORK:

EXAMPLES BELOW ARE A BRIEF SAMPLE OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. NOT ALL POSSIBLE TASKS ARE INCLUDED.Under very close supervision, may perform the following duties based upon program assignment:FOSTER CARE

Participates in developing case plans and objectives in family team conferences and agency staffings, and prepares cases for presentation to the multi-disciplinary team for consultation.Provides supportive counseling and other supportive services for clients and arranges for the provision of services from community resources based on the case plan.Interviews clients and families and composes correspondence to compile social histories and psychosocial assessments.Prepares and submits appropriate reports to the court and the district attorney on cases in compliance with state laws and agency policy, prepares and submits necessary affidavits, and testifies in court proceedings.Conducts regular home visits to assess safety factors and works with the family toward reunification or some other permanent placement for the child.Searches for relatives and locates, selects, and oversees the most appropriate placement or change of placement for a child.CHILD PROTECTION INVESTIGATION

Obtains identifying information, determines if the report meets intake requirements as established by state law, determines the current status of the child and/or adult to evaluate extent of danger/risk, determines priority level of report, and prepares complaint form.Investigate allegations of abuse and/or neglect of children and/or adults in accordance with agency policy and state law. Provides those services required for the child's immediate safety.May serve on 24-hour on-call duty to respond to child abuse and/or neglect reports.FAMILY SERVICES

Assesses needs in response to identified problems with particular focus on those affecting the parent/child relationship, parenting ability, or other factors contributing to the abusive and/or neglectful environment in the family.Conducts regular home visits with the familiy to assess safety and risk factors and determine further treatment needs.Develops a case plan with the family to address identified issues and to link the family to community resources.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A baccalaureate degree.SUBSTITUTIONS:

Six years of full-time work experience in any field may be substituted for the required baccalaureate degree.Candidates without a baccalaureate degree may combine work experience and college credit to substitute for the baccalaureate degree as follows:A maximum of 120 semester hours may be combined with experience to substitute for the baccalaureate degree.30 to 59 semester hours credit will substitute for one year of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

60 to 89 semester hours credit will substitute for two years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

90 to 119 semester hours credit will substitute for three years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

120 or more semester hours credit will substitute for four years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.College credit arned without obtaining a baccalaureate degree may be substituted for a maximum of four years full-time work experience towards the baccalaureate degree. Candidates with 120 or more semester hours of credit, but without a degree, must also have at least two years of full-time work experience to substitute for the baccalaureate degree.NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.A valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.NOTE:

The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15.587.1 (c).NOTE:

Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.