Response Worker

Overview

Montech Inc. is seekinga highly qualified Response Worker to provide support to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Division of Human Services, Red Lake Nation. This position investigates suspected child abuse or neglect, assesses safety and risk, recommends protective actions, documents cases in FASS-CMS Cloud, and supports Tribal Court proceedings using culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices.

Place of Performance

On-site at BIA Red Lake Agency in Red Lake, Minnesota. Personnel will also work from satellite offices on the Red Lake Reservation and in the field throughout the Reservation. Personnel travel to off reservation placements, courts and trainings as required.

Hours of Operation

Personnel shall perform between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Each shift is eight (8) paid hours with a 30-minute unpaid lunch. On-call support on weeknights and weekends as needed.

Summary of Responsibilities and Measuring Success

The Response Worker conducts timely, thorough child protective services investigations from intake through findings and case transfer. Success is measured by meeting required response timelines, completing accurate safety and risk assessments, protecting children through appropriate field actions, maintaining complete documentation in FASS-CMS Cloud, coordinating effectively with Tribal, federal, law enforcement, court, and community partners, and supporting legally sound Tribal Court proceedings using culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices.

Daily Tasks/Responsibilities

• Timely Response: Starts each assigned investigation within the SOP priority timeframes: for Priority 1, face-to-face contact with the child within 2 hours of the Priority 1 assignment and a home visit on the same calendar day; for Priority 2, face-to-face contact and a home visit within 3 calendar days; for Priority 3, investigation started within 7 calendar days.
• Interviews: Interviews the alleged child victim, the other children in the home, the non-offending parent or caregiver, and the alleged perpetrator, in that order, and then collateral contacts. Uses developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed techniques. Coordinates forensic interviews with law enforcement and the MDT so that children are not interviewed more often than necessary.
• Assessment: Completes the safety risk assessment and the protective capacities review and identifies imminent and impending danger.
• Immediate Safety Action: When a child faces imminent danger, puts an immediate safety plan in place with the family in the field and notifies the BIA Social Services Program Manager right away. When a child is in a life-threatening situation, contacts law enforcement.
• Emergency Placement Items: When a child is placed in an emergency and lacks essentials, buys what the child needs right away, such as clothing, diapers or a toothbrush.
• Joint Investigations: Conducts joint investigations with Red Lake tribal law enforcement, the BIA Office of Justice Services and the FBI, as applicable. Preserves information needed for criminal proceedings without compromising the child protection assessment.
• Findings: Drafts the investigation summary and a recommended outcome of substantiated, unsubstantiated or indicated, for federal approval within 15 days. Recommends whether to close, refer to services, or open a case. Where a case opens, works alongside the assigned Child Welfare Case Worker and prepares a transfer summary when the Child Welfare Case Worker is assigned.
• Court: Leads the court work through the EPC hearing, which the Red Lake Nation Tribal Court holds within 72 hours of a removal, not counting weekends and federal and tribal holidays. Drafts the facts for the petition and the supporting affidavit. Attends later hearings as needed and testifies on the investigation until the court rules on the petition. Testifies as a fact witness in Red Lake Nation Tribal Court and, where required, federal court.
• Specialized Cases: Investigates cases involving substance-exposed infants, including coordination of 72-hour holds for infants born off the reservation; sexual abuse; serious physical injury; child fatalities and near-fatalities; and allegations in foster homes.
• Coordination: Presents cases at the CPT and the U.S. Attorney's Office MDT.
• Field Safety: Works in pairs on field visits when feasible, carries naloxone, and follows the Field Safety Plan.

Qualifications

The Response Worker shall possess the following qualifications:

Education: Associate degree or higher in social work, sociology, psychology, counseling, human services, criminal justice, or another behavioral or social science from a recognized accredited institution.

Experience: At least two years of CPS investigative work or child protection casework, including joint law-enforcement investigations and court testimony.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Montech Inc. is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO) in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. The Company prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.

This job description is not all inclusive of the tasks that may be assigned to the Response Worker.