CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST TRAINEE

SS411 $36,442 - $65,666
Creation Date: 03/03/2003
Change Date: 12/11/2025

FUNCTION OF WORK:
To train in performing professional child welfare services for the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families as mandated by state and federal laws.

LEVEL OF WORK:
Entry

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Direct from a Child Welfare Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.

JOB DISTINCTIONS:
Differs from Child Welfare Services Assistant by the presence of training to perform professional child welfare services.

Differs from Child Welfare Specialist 1 by the absence of independence in the performance of assigned duties.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
CORE COMPETENCIES HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED BY STATE CIVIL SERVICE FOR THIS JOB TITLE. MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCS COMPETENCY MODEL CAN BE FOUND HERE.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:
EXAMPLES BELOW ARE A BRIEF SAMPLE OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. NOT ALL POSSIBLE TASKS ARE INCLUDED.

Under very close supervision, may perform the following duties based upon program assignment:

FOSTER CARE
Participates in developing case plans and objectives in family team conferences and agency staffings, and prepares cases for presentation to the multi-disciplinary team for consultation.

Provides supportive counseling and other supportive services for clients and arranges for the provision of services from community resources based on the case plan.

Interviews clients and families and composes correspondence to compile social histories and psychosocial assessments.

Prepares and submits appropriate reports to the court and the district attorney on cases in compliance with state laws and agency policy, prepares and submits necessary affidavits, and testifies in court proceedings.

Conducts regular home visits to assess safety factors and works with the family toward reunification or some other permanent placement for the child.

Searches for relatives and locates, selects, and oversees the most appropriate placement or change of placement for a child.

CHILD PROTECTION INVESTIGATION
Obtains identifying information, determines if the report meets intake requirements as established by state law, determines the current status of the child and/or adult to evaluate extent of danger/risk, determines priority level of report, and prepares complaint form.

Investigate allegations of abuse and/or neglect of children and/or adults in accordance with agency policy and state law. Provides those services required for the child's immediate safety.

May serve on 24-hour on-call duty to respond to child abuse and/or neglect reports.

FAMILY SERVICES
Assesses needs in response to identified problems with particular focus on those affecting the parent/child relationship, parenting ability, or other factors contributing to the abusive and/or neglectful environment in the family.

Conducts regular home visits with the familiy to assess safety and risk factors and determine further treatment needs.

Develops a case plan with the family to address identified issues and to link the family to community resources.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Three years of experience in child welfare; OR

Six years of full-time work experience in any field; OR

A bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.

A current driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.

NOTE:
The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15.587.1 (c).