The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking dynamic, and mission-driven individuals to fill the critical role of Social Worker. Selected candidates will provide the necessary services to help children in need including homeless, foster, abused and neglected. In many situations, Social Worker’s interact with children and family members, including siblings, parents, extended relatives, and guardians in order to assess the needs of each child and determine the best course of action for improving the child/family environment.

Please Note: Diversity equity and inclusion are core values for the Department of Children and Families. DCF strives to continue to build the most diverse equitable and inclusive workforce possible to be representative of the communities we serve. DCF strongly encourages diverse and multi-lingual candidates to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Assess, evaluate, conduct initial and ongoing case management of children/family services and needs.
• Develop, review, update and ensure implementation of strength-based service plans for each child in care or custody including risk assessment, safety plans and goals.
• Complete all documentation in accordance with agency and regulatory requirements.
• Attend home and foster care visits; transport children to health, social services or other agency-related appointments as required.
• Maintain ongoing communication with DCF staff and other constituencies; initiate court action when necessary.
• Empower families to make stable commitments to children by providing counseling and coordinating visits with biological parents and/or guardians and other relatives; develop a helping relationship and ensure needed supports and services are provided.
• Attend weekly supervision, weekly staff meetings, in-service training, and team meetings.
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism in the community, with clients, schools, courts and with referring agencies seeking to build and sustain positive relationships.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education or criminal justice or a relevant human services degree.

IMPORTANT: Offers of employment are made based on agency staffing needs. Offices in the Southern Region consist of:

• Arlington Office – 30 Mystic Street, Arlington, MA 02474
• Coastal Office – 220 Forbes Road Rear, Braintree, MA 02184
• Taunton Office – 1 Washington Street, Suite 200, Taunton, MA 02780
• Brockton Office – 110 Mulberry Street, Brockton, MA 02302
• Fall River Office – 1822 North Main Street, Suite 400, Fall River, MA 02720
• New Bedford Office – 651 Orchard Street, Suite 400, New Bedford, MA 02744
• Barnstable Office – 500 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
• Plymouth Office – 44 Industrial Park Road, Plymouth, MA 02360

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and, 6) committed to continuous learning.

For more information about DCF:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-children-families

Total Compensation:

As an employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are offered a great career opportunity influencing a wide-spectrum of services to the diverse populations we serve - but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:

• 75% state paid medical insurance premium
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefit for employee and spouse at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Incentive-based Wellness Programs
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants".

• Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

Please be advised that you have applied to a “Pipeline Posting.” Pipeline postings are used for high volume positions which require continuous hiring. Candidates who apply to this posting will remain active in the “pipeline” for 60 days and will be considered as openings arise. Although we cannot guarantee every candidate will be considered, as selection is based on job availability and individual staffing needs of the agency, candidates are strongly encouraged to reapply after 60 days.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please contact Employment and Staffing, Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2.