Our Mission: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence, and stability of individuals and families.

Our Vision: To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated two-generation approach)

ACDHS uses an integrated two-generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design and continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long-term stability and sustainability.

The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being, and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse, and building strong communities.

ACDHS has an opening for a Community Development & Prevention Consultant position working for the Child and Adult Protection Services (CAPS) Division. The Child and Adult Protection Services Division provides protective services to children and adults, as well as foster care, adoption, adolescent services, teen parent programs, and other services that help create strong, effective families.

• Participates in the development and implementation of comprehensive planning and community development programs and services to respond to families in need with the intent to prevent abuse and neglect.
• Participates in developing, managing, and evaluating complexly integrated community-based and system-based initiatives, programs, and strategies to increase the community-level response to the needs of families with the goal of decreasing the need for protective services.
• Participates in the design, implementation, management, and evaluation a community-based prevention system, including a comprehensive response and programs that capitalize on community development strategies and established partnerships.
• Participates in developing, implementing and monitoring short and long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving the Division’s mission, goals and priorities; direct the development of and monitors performance of community partners.
• Represents the Department of Human Services and the Division of Child and Adult Protection Services at relevant meetings; informs and advises these groups, as well as the Community Development and Prevention Administrator and Deputy Director, on local and regional community development and infrastructure planning issues.
• Presents Department and Division information to community constituents and citizen-facing committees, commissions and other forums including presentations on special projects and community and program planning issues to increase understanding of the child and adult protection system and opportunities to respond to and assist families in a community-based manner that serves to prevent abuse and neglect.
• Participates in developing, integrating and evaluating a community-based response team for families referred multiple times to protective services and/or economic assistance to assure that basic needs and protective issues are properly identified and resolved to impact the multi-generational use of such government systems in a sustained manner.
• Analyzes data resources with respect recurrence and recidivism in the child and adult protective system and participates in the design and implementation of effective strategies to positively impact such.
• Clinical consultation and guidance to assure child safety and wellbeing drives decision making, but also ensures community connection and partnership enhancement are prioritized and drive decision making.
• Contacts community resources, such as schools, law enforcement and medical personnel to obtain additional information, coordinate services, or secure their assistance.
• Participates in staffing's with school, mental health facilities, child protection review teams, and other professionals involved with the family members
• Serves as information and referral source to other employees and to the public.
• Provides a variety of ancillary assignments as needed, including preparing and maintaining client records and completing required forms and reports.
• Facilitate meetings with families and community partners to develop support or response plans.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of social casework principles, concepts, and ethics by using a strength-based and solution-focused practice.
• Independently analyze complex situations, formulate plans, and make quick decisions as needed.
• Practice strategies that result in effective engagement of community partners and families. Mediate difficult interactions between parties.

• Ability to build relationships and help others learn

• Ability to model best practice skills and philosophy in the field

• Ability to provide feedback and facilitate reflection, including helping staff increase self-awareness in regard to strengths and areas for improvement

• Ability to manage complex and sometimes conflicting situations.

• Ability to provide feedback in a respectful and sometimes challenging and probing manner while maintaining and objective, non-judgmental stance

• Strong ability to multitask.

• Knowledge of strength-based, solution-focused practice including appreciative inquiry, cultural humility

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

• Ability to maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.

• Ability to work independently and as a team member.

• Ability to deliver effective customer service and communication skills in a professional manner with a diverse client base, some of whom may be or become angry, difficult, and/or distressed.

• Ability to work under stressful conditions in a professional manner in a high-volume environment.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from court, groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public via fax, telephone, and email.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and state and county computer systems. Ability to learn various applications.

Must also successfully pass pre-employment criminal background check, motor vehicle check, and post-employment fingerprint check.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Reliable transportation is required. You will be reimbursed for mileage.

The salary grade listed is the full salary range for the Community Development & Prevention Consultant position. Please note that the hiring salary will typically be near the lower end of the pay range listed.

Work Environment:

• 
  Work is generally confined to a standard office environment but will require significant travel and ability to conduct business remotely as needed.

• No unusual physical demands are associated with this position.
• Spends 50% of the time sitting and 50% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 25 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

BENEFITS:As a Regular Full-Time employee at Arapahoe County Government, you are eligible for benefits such as:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Mandatory Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Pre-paid Legal Services
• Vacation and Sick Leaves
• Holiday pay
• Training and Educational Reimbursement Opportunities