Centralized Intake Specialist (00253) _To be considered for any DPHHS Agency position, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials. Successful applicant(s) are required to successfully pass all DPHHS specific background check(s) relevant to each position. _ __ _ Materials Required of Applicants: (To be considered in this pool, please submit the following) * ** Supplemental question(s): ** 1. How has your education and experience helped you to develop the skills necessary for working in the Child Protection field? 2. Why are you interested in a position in child protection? **(Please type responses in a Word document and attach to application. HELPFUL HINT: When attaching a document you much check the relevant document box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Please do not attach more than requested. If you have more than 25 attachments in the system you will need to email these to: hhshumanresources@mt.gov. Failure to attach the required material will conclude in an incomplete application. You must also keep those relevant boxes checked once you submit your application; if you uncheck the box with an active application it will delete the attachment. ** _ **Job Overview: **Centralized Intake (CI) is a child abuse and neglect hotline staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that allegations of child abuse and neglect received are accurately assessed to ensure the safety of children. The hotline serves as the central reporting for all allegations of child abuse or neglect in Montana. Responsibilities of this position include: 1) Gathers information from callers to determine whether statutory criteria for investigation are present; 2) Assigns priority response time and routes applicable reports directly to local offices to ensure identified safety threats are responded to in a timely manner to ensure child safety; and 3) Checks and verifies information from multiple data sources to determine additional requirements; including escalated safety factors of the alleged victim and field staff. **Major Duties or Responsibilities ** **** Conducts Initial Assessment of Allegations to Ensure Child Safety * Receives phone calls from mandatory and non-mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect and follows an information gathering protocol to obtain sufficient information from the reporter. * Gathers information from callers to determine whether statutory criteria for investigation are present. * Assesses the call report and determines if the referral information warrants immediate or further investigation by field social workers and/or law enforcement intervention in accordance with statutes and the divisions safety practice model. * Assigns priority response time and routes applicable reports directly to local offices to ensure identified safety threats are responded to in a timely manner to ensure child safety. * Prioritizes and assigns referrals for field investigation; notifies management and field social worker of critical information and ensures an immediate response when necessary. * Completes CI Intake Assessment form and required documentation in CAPS and Doc Gen in accordance with policy and procedure to accurately document the information in the report received. * Contacts law enforcement as necessary for investigation of reports the division does not have authority to investigate and for welfare checks on children whose safety may be of concern; and enters reports from law enforcement when child safety issues are identified. * Responds to requests for emergency provision of legal consent to treat children in protective custody, runaways, and foster parents requesting assistance. * Serves as a central point of contact for the public and others seeking information to which they are legally entitled in regards to children in protective custody. Field Support Services * Performs background checks to assess prior child protective reports to assess current child safety or risk of harm to assist investigative worker in the field. * Obtains critical child protection or criminal history from other states when necessary to allow for accurate report determinations. * Checks and verifies information from multiple data sources to determine additional requirements; including escalated safety factors of the alleged victim and field staff. * Performs check of Violent and Sexual Offender Registry where need is indicated; and determine safety issues and alerts field worker of issues which may create a dangerous situation when responding to the call. * Testifies at hearings and in court when required regarding actions and responses to referrals. Data/Reports * Records daily activity regarding types of calls received and other performance tasks. * Prepares monthly unit activity reports as requested by supervisor. * Provides support and assistance to field social workers by engaging in continuous quality improvement processes with supervisors to ensure that Centralized Intake is delivering appropriate information to field social workers to ensure the safety of children, families, and workers. **** **Physical and Environmental Demands: ** Typical call center environment with keyboarding responsibilities. Irregular work hours and/or weekends may be necessary for phone coverage in 24/7 call center. **** Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors): ** Required for the first day of work: * Knowledge of social work practices and principles. * Strong verbal and written communication skills. * Customer service and interpersonal skills. * Problem solving and decision making skills. * Ability to handle sensitive and stressful situations. * Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships. * Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete the essential functions, including using spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs. Required Minimum Education and Experience: ** * Bachelors degree in social work, psychology, or related human services field. * One year of human services experience working with children and families. * Other combinations of directly related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis. * A six month completed internship with Child Protective Services will be accepted in lieu of the one year required experience. **Primary Location: **Helena **Work Locations: ** **Job: **Community/Social Services **Organization: **State of Montana **Job Posting: **Aug 7, 2018, 10:28:53 PM **Closing Date: **Ongoing **Shift: **Variable **Travel: **Yes, 5 % of the Time