NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

The Child Welfare Training Project at Northern Arizona University is a collaborative effort between the Northern Arizona University Social Work Department and the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS). The goal of the project is to recruit and train bachelor's and master's- level social workers to be competent Child Protective Services workers. The mission is to prepare social work students to be effective and competent child welfare workers who are able to promote the well-being of the children and families involved in the public child welfare system.

The Field Unit Social Worker functions as a case manager in a contracted DCS unit. The social worker manages approximately 10 out-of-home (ongoing) DCS cases. The social worker is responsible for teaching and modeling social work best practices for child welfare interns; monitoring and evaluating reunification services; ensuring compliance with DCS policy and procedures.

DCS Case Management - 50%

• Provides ongoing case management to DCS clients served by the NAU Child Welfare Training unit.
• Manages approximately 10 ongoing DCS cases.
• Conducts child safety assessments.
• Refers for and monitors client progress in treatment services.
• Complies with agency documentation including case notes, Family Functioning Assessments, case plans, court reports, etc.
• Initiates and schedules home visits to children, parents, and foster parents.
• Responsible for communicating with attorneys, law enforcement agencies, community partners, and other team members regarding case issues.
• Complies with all state statutes, DCS policies, and regional operating procedures concerning DCS cases, including timely documentation.

Social Work Intern Supervision - 40%

• Teaches, mentors, and supervises students in the Social Work/DCS scholarship program.
• Models best-practice approaches to students in client engagement, interviewing, assessment, and case planning.
• Applies social work theory, practice approaches, and knowledge of research to cases and communicates their application to students.
• Assists in the development and presentation of educational materials for students and other staff.
• Collaborates with and mentors students on assigned caseload.

Interagency Collaboration - 5%

• Represents the NAU Child Welfare Training Project/Program in the community and at community events.
• Attends Child Welfare staff meetings and interagency meetings with DCS.

Other - 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work.
• License or License eligible as social worker in the State of Arizona.
• A combination of education, experience and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Requirements.
  

• Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Fully licensed (LCSW).
• 3-5 years’ of relevant experience as a Department of Child Safety Specialist in Arizona.
• Ability to acquire or renew CPR Certification.
• Experience in providing educational supervision of students.

Knowledge of:

• The principles, practices, techniques and professional standards in the field of social work.
• Community organizations and social service programs available.
• Confidential principles; behavior modification, conflict resolution and counseling principles and techniques.
• Intervention techniques and interviewing procedures, especially regarding children or family dynamics.
• Child development, family systems, family centered practices experience.
• Behavioral indicators of mental health disturbance, impact of abuse and neglect, separation and loss issues and child welfare practices.
• Computers and software (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Mobile devices, digital calendars (Outlook) & video conferencing (Microsoft Teams).

Skill in:

• Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with diverse socio-economic, cultural, and educational populations.
• Verbal and written communication.
• Eliciting and gathering information, using keen observation techniques.
• Modeling professional behavior with clients.
• Time management and multi-tasking.
• Showing respect for and sensitivity to needs, feelings and cultures.
• Dealing calmly and effectively with and in high stress situations.
• Adaptability, should be able to make decisions quickly and independently.

Ability to:

• Work effectively in an environment subject to quickly changing priorities.
• Work with sensitive/confidential information, and within short deadlines.
• Complete work tasks thoroughly.
• Lead, take responsibility; analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Recognize and address substance abuse issues in adults and children and develop necessary intervention strategies.
• Prepare detailed documentation of client and professional contact to ensure records are accurately conveyed and reported.
• Enter, retrieve, and correct data in a computer-based systems.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary range begins at $54,779. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

April 10, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

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NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.