Protective service workers work in social services to provide case management for adults and children who may be experiencing neglect or abuse. This position is typically part of a government agency or other provider of protective services. It involves case management and investigative work to determine what assistance, if any, is needed.
When writing your protective service worker job description, you should include the skills an effective protective service worker needs. List specific skills such as assessment and interpretation of evidence, compassion and strong communication skills to make your case for the type of applicant who is best qualified for your job opening.
A good protective service worker focuses on the needs and safety of the most vulnerable members of society. They should be knowledgeable about regulations and able to implement policy with intensive training. You can follow our below example as you craft your protective service worker job description.
Protective Service Worker Job Summary
Are you a caring and compassionate person who want to help teens and children who may be in unsafe environments? If rewarding work in the field of social services appeals to you, please contact us about our job opening for a protective service worker. You will work with a department of like-minded individuals who work under the direction of the unit supervisor to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect in our area. You should be able to protect the confidentiality of each case as you work to determine the validity of any claims as well as to provide the necessary assistance to protect the lives of vulnerable citizens. You will have the opportunity to learn more about government regulations and policy implementation as you strive to improve lives.
Job Responsibilities
- Interview family members, friends and involved parties to verify facts or accusations to protect children and teens in unsafe living arrangements
- Work with court representatives or other agencies to coordinate services on an ongoing basis as long as deemed necessary
- Prepare and document case files from initial intake to review stages to meet standards set forth by regulating party in accordance with legal statutes
- Coordinate in-home services to improve the security of minors or locate and arrange placement on a temporary or permanent basis
- Conduct assessments to determine the feasibility of reintegration into the family of origin
- Communicate with team, service providers and law enforcement agents to provide status or other information for cases
- Monitor the wellbeing of children and teens in protective care as well as identify and organize other care services
- Represent the agency in a professional manner in all communication or contact with other entities and the general public
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or relevant field
- Exceptional organizational and detail-oriented skills
- Interpersonal and problem-solving abilities
Preferred:
- Master’s degree in social work
- Fluent in Spanish
- Previous experience in social services
Protective Service Worker Job Responsibilities
If you’re struggling to get quality applicants for open positions within your team, you may need to revamp your job description. One place to focus on is the responsibilities section. In a strong protective service worker job description, candidates look at this list to determine if the job sounds like a good fit. It’s up to you and your team to craft an accurate and detailed list of the potential aspects of the job so there are no surprises upon hiring time.
If you’re not sure where to start, revisit the company guidelines, your organization’s goals and industry standards for a protective service worker job description. Develop a list of at least six core duties your new team member will carry out, but make sure your list doesn’t have more than eight. Avoid simply reciting all of the mundane tasks from the position; instead, offer examples of how the position would contribute to your company’s overall purpose.
Here are some sample protective service worker job responsibilities to read over:
- Connect families, school personnel, counselors and those in need to community service programs
- Partner with individuals and families and provide counseling services for issues related to mental health, family life, substance abuse and school
- Review case files and reports and update mental health providers and other social workers about progress
- Develop recommendations for mental health, medical and other tests for individuals and families struggling with various issues
Protective Service Worker Job Specifications
Another key part of a strong protective service worker job description is a complete list of qualifications and skills. You should start off trying to imagine the ideal person for the job in your head. If someone already performs this job within your company, review this person’s qualifications and skills for some ideas. You can also access information about your industry’s standards for people in this job.
The most common details you want to include in the list of qualifications and skills from your protective service worker job description involve education and experience levels. You can also address information about certifications and licensing for this field. Consider including both required and preferred qualifications and skills in your description. Finally, don’t forget details about general positive traits, such as reliability, interpersonal ability and communication skills. All of these steps can help make it easier to get strong candidates to send their resumes.
Here are some additional ideas for protective service worker job specifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology or psychology
- Master’s degree in social work or at least three years of experience in the field
- A license in social work from the state regulatory agency
- Excellent time management skills and a desire to make a difference