Social Worker, Rapid Response/Relative Search

Social Worker, Rapid Response/Relative Search

Salary

$72,030.40 - $100,921.60 Annually

Location

Sherburne County Government Center, 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River 55330-1692, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-01763

Department

Health & Human Services

Opening Date

11/03/2026

Closing Date

11/16/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

Do you have a desire to complete meaningful work that makes an impact by

helping to better the lives of the children of Sherburne County?

Join the team of Social Workers in the Child Protection unit of the Sherburne County Human Services!

Our team of knowledgeable and experienced Social Worker Investigators provide assessment, refer families and the public to the appropriate community-based services, and conduct child protection investigations as warranted to ensure the immediate safety of children.

Our Mission: The mission of Sherburne County Health and Human Services (SCHHS) is to promote and protect the health, safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency of Sherburne County residents.

Our Vision: It is the intent of the organization to provide human service programs to the residents of Sherburne County, designed to protect and enhance the lives of vulnerable populations (such as the developmentally disabled, children in need of protective services, vulnerable adults, mentally ill, and others).

The work of Sherburne County Health and Human Services is governed by the pillars of serving People, through collaboration and Partnership, to help resident achieve Prosperity, using an Equity Lens in all we do.

We offer:

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Remote and flexible hours
• Ongoing education and training
• Individual focus rooms
• Fleet vehicles
• Onsite wellness room
• Onsite employee medical clinic
• Supportive teams

This position is located at the Government Center in Elk River, MN, however will also require work in the field. Our regular business hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, though the department provides staff with flexibility in effort to strive for a desired work/life balance. Sherburne County is one of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota, where you can find a nice blend of suburban and rural life. If you are interested in bringing your skill and talent to a dynamic department in a growing community, we encourage you to apply for this great opportunity.

Learn more about our workplace culture and a brief overview of our employee benefits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These examples of typical duties do not include all possible tasks for this classification and do not limit the assignment of related tasks. Regular attendance according to the departments approved work schedule is required for all Sherburne positions.

• Support goals of MAAFPCWDA by preventing out-of-home placement and promoting family reunification.
• Crisis Intervention: Respond immediately when reports of placement may be considered. Evaluate immediate safety risks and design rapid stabilization/safety plan.
• Assessment and Triage: Coordinate and facilitate a Rapid Response Meeting where there is a need for rigorous safety planning to ensure child safety.
• Safety Plan: Utilize core elements of Family Group Decision Making in the context of Child Welfare requirements. Create a plan that outlines risks, goals and roles of those identified.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Clear communication with family supports, community agencies and social services; sharing crisis plan with clear next steps identified.

Child Protection Investigation

• Conduct and complete Child Protection Investigations.
• To determine when court involvement is necessary, what type of court involvement is necessary, and initiate the process and follow through to completion.
• To provide testimony in court regarding the matter before the court, the role of social services.
• Utilize a Signs of Safety Approach to maintain children within their home whenever possible.
• Determine the need for out of home placement when safety cannot be ensured.

Family Group Decision Making

• Coordinate and facilitate FGDM meetings on referral from a variety of Social Services Units utilizing the concepts of the Family Group Decision Making models.
• Coordinate and facilitate Rapid Response Consolations for Child Protection cases where there is an immediate need for rigorous safety planning to ensure child safety. These meetings will need to occur within 24-72 hours.
• During the FGDM Meeting, ensure that the purpose and agenda are being followed; keep invitees on task as well as setting the tone for a professional, respectful, and productive meeting.
• Complete all assigned documentation and prepare paperwork related to family plans.
• Provide education and information on Family Involvement Strategies and Family Group Decision Making to the community. Effectively prepare families for the FGDM process.
• Work as part of a team in the implementation of Family Involvement Strategies.
• Attend regional state meeting, training seminars, and conferences to improve skill levels, and study appropriate literature in the field.

Relative Search

• Complete relative assessments on all identified relative permanency options, utilizing the 10 Best Interest Factors in determining the relative's ability to meet the child's needs.
• Open secondary work groups on all cases assigned for Relative Search.
• Coordinate the completion of local background checks on identified relatives/kin.
• Provide necessary information to clerical support so that relative search letters can be sent.
• Assist with the coordination of contact/visitation for children in out-of-home placements and their relatives/kin, including utilizing relatives for respite, if appropriate.
• Begin relative search on all assigned placement cases within 30 days of placement.
• Meet with children, parents, and all known family members/kin to gather information for purposes of locating relative/kin placement options.
• Meet with the primary case manager on the case as needed to share information found and assessed during the relative search process.
• Attend concurrent permanency planning meetings on cases assigned.
• Make referrals for Family Group Decision Making meetings and attend these meetings where the primary goal is to identify permanency options and develop plans for permanency.
• Document relative search efforts in SSIS and complete the relative search section on all court reports for the primary case manager.
• Initiate ICPC referrals when out of state relatives are being considered and placement and/or permanency option.
• Complete Social/Medical History's on cases where adoption is being considered as a permanency option.
• Participate in case transfer meetings.
• Attend and participate in all court hearings as needed.
• Write court reports as required at the 90-day review hearing and as needed, until relieved of efforts by the court.
• Monitor permanency timelines and request permanency notification (2nd letters) be mailed to all identified relatives/kin at the time the agency files a permanency petition.
• Make a final permanency recommendation to the court upon completion of relative search.
• Ensure that relative search efforts are exhausted and obtain the court's ruling to be relieved of efforts prior to case closure.
• Rule out concurrent permanency options, as necessary, through the court. Provide notice to those being ruled out of the hearing in which this will be reviewed by the court.

To Learn More About Child Protection Work and The Programs, Resources, And Services Within Child Protection, Please follow thelink: https://dcyf.mn.gov/individuals-and-families/family-services/child-safety-and-family-preservationto Visit the DHS MinnesotaDepartment of Human Services Child Protection Page.

To Learn More About Family Assessment Response Work, Please follow the link:https://dcyf.mn.gov/individuals-and-families/family-services/child-safety-and-family-preservation/family-assessment-response to Visit the DHS Minnesota Department of Human Services Family Assessment Response (FAR) Page.

To Gain Knowledge of What It Really Means to Be a Social Worker Within a Child Protection Unit in Minnesota, Please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEJhyxo4BJI to View Child Protection Work in Minnesota: A Realistic Job Preview.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelors degree in Social Work or closely related field.

Must have a valid MN drivers license and reliable vehicle.

Experience:

Social Worker I: Minimum of completed Social Work internship or closely related field.

Social Worker II: Minimum of 1-year of Social Work experience or equivalent education plus work experience.

Must have a valid MN drivers license and reliable vehicle.

Preferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications: Candidates experienced with Social Worker Foundations training, Signs of Safety training, Corner House training, Trauma training, and working in the state SSIS system. Experience with conducting child protection investigations is also preferred.

Supplemental Information

How To Apply:

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Hiring Salary Range:

Social Worker I: $32.36 - $38.85/hour (Grade 12)

Social Worker II: $34.63 - $41.57/hour (Grade 13)

Hours: The core hours of the department are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This position may require work outside of normal business hours.

Union: Teamsters

Interview: Selected applicants will be notified via email the week of November 16th to schedule a 10-minute phone interview, for November 23rd and potentially November 25th.

Hybrid/Remote Option: Position is in-house for at least the first 6-months for training, then has the option to be hybrid/remote after that.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to endure extended travel, up to 8 hours or more per day. Must be able to provide own means of transportation when county vehicles are not available. May be required to travel to remote areas and in all weather conditions.

Must be able to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (15-25 pounds).

Typical Working Environment:

80% Inside Work (office and field work), 20% Travel. (These percentages are an estimate and may vary based on job duties.)

Work is performed both in the office and in the field (some examples of settings include client's: homes, apartments, hospitals, group homes, schools, shelters, correctional facilities, and treatment facilities). Headaches, eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury in the office. Field visits to clients' homes may expose employee to unsanitary conditions, communicable illnesses, infrequent exposure to health hazards, unpredictable and/or unsafe environments. Likelihood of verbal abuse and threats from hostile, frustrated clients and may include unpredictable situations.

Sherburne County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical (employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage). Monthly premiums for Employee only coverage are covered 100% by the county.

• County Contributions to VEBA and HSA plans

• Employer paid $25,000 Term Life Policy

• Optional Benefits:

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Additional Supplemental Life Insurance for self, spouse and child(ren)

• Short-Term Disability

• Long-Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care Reimbursement and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account)

• Accident Insurance

• Critical Illness Insurance

• Hospital Care Insurance

• Deferred Compensation Plan

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Annual Paid Time Off accrual of 21 days to start, increasing up to a maximum of 33 days per year.

• 12 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• On-Site Well@Work Clinic available to Sherburne County Employees and Dependents covered under our plan.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Public Employees Retirement (PERA):

Part-Time employees working less than 30 hours per week, Seasonal, Temporary and Interns are not eligible for benefits.

01

To receive credit for the responses you share in the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the Education and Work Experience sections of the application. Your application should reflect all education and degree information, internship (paid/unpaid), volunteer, and professional work experience (each position should be listed separately). Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out in the Education and Work Experience section of your application. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information, you will not receive credit for the question. Any misstatements, unclear, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration. Each question must be completed in its entirety, as asked. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of an incomplete application. "See Resume" is not a valid response to any questions.

• I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score which may make me ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment process.

02

You must have a valid drivers license to qualify for this position. Do you have a current Minnesota drivers license or are you eligible to obtain one upon offer of employment?

• Yes
• No

03

List your highest level of education completed. Degree must be Social Work or Social Work related (NOTE: Degree must be held by the closing date of this posting to receive credit. Examples of RELATED fields include: Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Early Childhood Education, Human Development, Family Studies, Pastoral Counseling or Therapeutic Recreation.)

• Less than a Bachelors Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher

04

In what field of study did you receive your degree? i.e. Social Work, Psychology, etc.

05

How many years of full-time experience do you have working directly with families in a professional capacity in a Human Service Agency? Include all paid, internship and volunteer experience. NOTE: Direct Care/CNA/PCA, Case Aide, Eligibility/Financial Worker, Child Support Officer, and other similar type positions are not considered Social Work experience.

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

06

List the name of the Agency(s) as noted in the above question.

07

List any active social work licensure. If none, state N/A.

08

Have you completed either a Child Welfare or Child Protection internship?

• Yes
• No

09

List the agency the internship was completed. If none, state N/A.

10

Within the last 7 years, do you have professional work experience in the following? Check all that apply.

• Child Protection Assessments/Investigations
• Child Protection Case Management
• MI/Childrens Mental Health
• Child Welfare Services
• Law Enforcement/Corrections/Probation
• No experience with any of the above

11

Within the last 7 years, do you have work-related experience with the following? Check all that apply.

• Conducting forensic interviews
• Working with Law Enforcement/County Attorneys with regard to Social Service issues
• Testifying in court
• Utilizing Signs of Safety - an innovative strengths-based, safety-organized approach to child protection casework created by Andrew Turnell and Steve Edwards
• Providing direct services to involuntary/resistant families
• Received certification to facilitate FGDM
• Held/participated in FGDM process
• Conducted or assisted with Relative Search efforts
• No experience in the above.

12

Have you completed the CornerHouse or First Witness Training Program?

• Yes
• No

13

The work performed in this role requires interaction with and providing services to individuals from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Check the areas below that best describe your experience:

• I have experience using a translator/interpreter for a family or person who requires this service.
• I have completed professional or educational Cultural Competence training or courses.
• My job responsibilities/duties have required specific interaction with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• I am fluent in a second language.
• I have participated in community Racial Equity, Diversity or Inclusion work.
• I have participated in professional or volunteer opportunities in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings.
• None of the above

14

IMPORTANT: If you checked any of the areas listed above, describe your professional experience that demonstrates your ability to interact with people from other cultural, ethnic, or socioeconomic backgrounds other than your own. You must also provide information about where you obtained the experience, what ethnic, cultural population(s) you worked with, and the dates when you gained this experience. If you answered, "None of the above" to the question, enter "NA" in the text box.

15

Veterans Preference: Veterans preference points are awarded to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans and are added to the exam results. Points are awarded subject to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 197.455. YOU MUST SUPPLY A COPY OF YOUR DD214 (Member Copy 4). Disabled veterans must also supply a Summary of Benefits Letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or an equivalent letter from a service retirement board. Spouses applying for preference points must supply their marriage certificate, the veterans DD214 and Summary of Benefits Letter from USDVAFL or death certificate. All required documentation must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the posted closing date. Are you applying for veterans preference points?

• No
• YES - veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge - see MN Stat 197.447
• YES - veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability
• YES - spouse of a veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability (the Veteran must also be qualified to apply for the position but their service connected disability restricts them from applying for or performing the job duties)
• YES - spouse of a deceased veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and had a service connected disability

16

If, during or after your interview, Sherburne County determines that you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony for which a jail sentence was or could have been imposed, you may be disqualified from this position by operation of law or county policy. I have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

17

I affirm that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may disqualify me for consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Sherburne County for up to three years.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Sherburne County

Address Sherburne County Government Center

13880 Business Center Drive NW

Elk River, Minnesota, 55330-1692

Phone 763-765-3001

Website http://www.co.sherburne.mn.us