Social worker, senior - field investigator (internal hsph applicants only)

The Adult Protection program is seeking to fill a Senior Social Worker - Field Investigator position. In this role, you will receive and investigate reports of vulnerable adult maltreatment referred by the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center and Adult Protection Intake units. This position will provide protective services to resolve allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

Under the authority of the Minnesota Vulnerable Adult Law, field investigators interview reporters, clients, collaterals, and other professionals to gather information to determine the vulnerable adult status of the alleged victim, the presence of immediate danger to the vulnerable adult or others, and the nature and severity of the alleged maltreatment.

Location and hours: This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at locations throughout Hennepin County, and remote as job duties require. This position will require travel to client homes, healthcare facilities, and other locations providing client housing and services. Transporting clients is sometimes required. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, with typical hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with some flexibility. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.

About this position type: This is a full-time, benefit-earning position. You must be a current regular or probationary employee of Human Services Public Health to be eligible for this position. Note: Limited duration employees are not eligible. This position is internally classified as a Social Worker, Senior.

In this position you will:

• Investigate reports of vulnerable adult maltreatment referred by the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center and Adult Protection Intake units, and provide protective services to resolve allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
• Interview reporters, clients, collaterals, and other professionals to gather information to determine the vulnerable adult status of the alleged victim, the presence of immediate danger to the vulnerable adult or others, and the nature and severity of the alleged maltreatment.
• Formulate case plans to determine appropriate services to address client needs, including emergency interventions, and protective services.
• Document data to support a maltreatment finding of substantiated, inconclusive, or false.
• Conduct fact gathering on reports with self-neglect allegations to assess the safety, strengths, and needs of the adult who is vulnerable and the primary support person to make a determination if adult protective services are needed.
• Assess clients for commitment and conservatorship and present testimony at civil, criminal, and administrative hearings that may be adversarial in nature; prepare investigative reports and work closely with law enforcement agencies, the County Attorney’s Office, state regulatory agencies, and the courts.

Need to have: One of the following: Master's degree or higher in social work or closely related field with course work emphasis in areas such as social work methods, human growth and behavior, and principles of social welfare. Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services, and at least 18 semester (27 quarter) credits of graduate work in the above areas, and three or more full-time equivalent years of supervised experience as a social worker. Licensed as a Graduate Social Worker by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. A valid driver's license, the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit and daily access to reliable transportation sufficient to transport clients and travel throughout Hennepin County to client homes, healthcare facilities, and other locations providing client housing and services.

Nice to have: Licensure or eligibility for licensure in one or more of the following: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

Experience: Providing protective services and/or conducting investigations. Working with culturally diverse populations of vulnerable adults experiencing trauma and/or complex social situations. Abilities in the principles, techniques, and application of interviewing skills, investigative skills, the collection and analysis of evidence, and legal documentation. Proficiency in managing emergency situations and the ability to develop and implement protective plans and to provide supportive services. Knowledge of community resources, health care facilities, in-home services, medical and psychiatric disorders, and risk assessment and management. Candidates with fluency in another language(s) in addition to English are encouraged to apply. Bilingual candidates who pass a language assessment may qualify for additional bilingual pay and duties.

About the department: Human Services delivers a variety of services to individuals or families that assist with basic needs or encourage client change around specific objectives. We work with individuals as well as systems and communities in order to develop policy and advocate for the people we serve. The people we serve and our communities are connected. By helping one, we help the other.

About Hennepin County: Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive. Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge (login as Guest).

Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community. Your future. Made here.

This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies. Watch this video for application best practices and tips. This position may have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data. Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a driver's license check, a drug test that may include testing for cannabis, and/or a criminal background check.

If you have any questions, please contact: Rebecca Maddaus Rebeccca.maddaus@hennepincounty.gov