ICWS Caseworker

In order to be considered for any vacancy within the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas an application must be completed. If you are among qualified candidates, you will receive a call/email from our one of our recruiters to schedule an interview. Once your application is completed please send it to the Human Resources Department HR@ktttribe.org

Job Description

Position:                              ICWS Caseworker  

Supervisor:                         ICW Director            

Division:                              Community Services Administration

Department:                        ICW

Responsibilities:

The ICWS Caseworker’s responsibility is to investigate and determine whether or not children are in an abusive or neglectful environment and to aid parents by educating and providing support to modify behaviors that are detrimental to family function.  The ICWS Caseworker also organizes and achieves the goal of a vision based on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

Essential Duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Determine if a child has Native ancestry.
• Investigating, interviewing and gathering information to see if abuse or neglect occurred and if intervention is necessary while considering both risk and safety issues. Develop safety plans as necessary.
• Checking children for signs of abuse or neglect.
• Aid parents with child rearing problems and children and youth with difficulties in social adjustments: Investigate home conditions to protect children from harmful environment.
• Evaluate children’s physical and psychological makeup to determine needs. Refer child and parent or guardian to community resources according to needs of child.
• Evaluate foster home environmental factors and personal characteristics of adoption applicants to determine suitability of foster home situation, plans for child’s care, interactional behavior modifications needed, or rehabilitation.
• Place children in foster or adoptive homes, following KTTT family codes and ICWA
• Maintain detailed case history records and required reports.
• May specialize in specific area of child-directed casework and be designated according to work performed as Investigator, Caseworker, child placement (social service); Casework, Protective Services (social Ser.)
• Counsel individuals or family members regarding behavior modifications, rehabilitation, social adjustment, financial assistance, vocational training, child care, or medical care.
• Counsel parents with child rearing problems and children and youth with difficulties in social adjustments.
• Interview individuals to assess social and emotional capabilities, physical and mental impairments, and financial needs.
• Refer the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas community to outside resources for needed assistance. Ensure that all eligible tribal members are enrolled in KTTT PRC program and get preapproval before making referrals if not an emergency when referring to outside resources.
• Provide service coordination for students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicates need for assistance.
• Prepare case/status reports and make recommendations and testify in court.
• Develop and maintain case and program documentation according to funding sources and other program standards.
• Maintain a balance of objectivity and empathy for families in stressful and crisis situations.
• Arrange for medical, psychiatric and other tests that may disclose cause of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
• Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems and effects solutions.
• Serve as liaison between students, home, school, family service agencies, law enforcement agencies, child guidance clinics, courts, and protective services, doctors, and tribal members.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.

Education/experience requirements: 

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in one of the human behavioral science field and/or possess a Texas Peace Officer License. Relevant experience in Social Service and/or Law Enforcement Agency may substitute for educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. One year of full-time professional social casework experience in a public or private Social Service Agency.    

Preferred Qualifications:  A master’s degree in social work. Two (2) years of full-time professional social casework experience acquired after the degree, in a public or private Social Service Agency, in an assignment appropriate to the position. 

Native American preference is observed: 

KTTT recognizes preference for KTTT tribal members and qualified Native American tribal members including preferential treatment in recruitment, hiring, promotions, layoffs and reductions in force so long as they meet minimum job qualifications.