Job Description

Lead Worker (Caseworker Specialist I), DCFS Salt Lake Valley Region (Metro)

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

Salary – $29.09

Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid

Recruiter – Tamra Alfaro | talfaro@utah.gov | 801-538-4221

Application Deadline – 9/16/2026*

*This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Job Description & Agency Mission

Advance your career in social work while continuing to be an integral part of a team working together to achieve safety, well-being, and permanency for abused or neglected children, and strengthening families in our communities. As a Lead Worker (Caseworker Specialist I), you will assess the needs of children, youth, and families, facilitate meaningful change, and assist your supervisor in mentoring team members. You will coach a group of child welfare staff working together to achieve safety, well-being, and permanency for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and to support families in our communities through effective services. You may also be asked to functionally supervise staff in the absence of the supervisor.

Key Responsibilities

• Mentorship & Coaching: Assisting and/or mentoring team members with coordinating services with the court, community partners, placement providers, and other collateral agencies as needed to support children and families receiving services. Coaching team members in assessing and documenting client needs and developing and implementing service plans to meet those needs.
• Case Management: Managing a caseload of CPS, Ongoing and/or Home-based cases, writing detailed case documentation including: investigation summaries, child and family assessments and/or service plans, risk assessments, social summaries, activity logs, and case histories.
• Supervisory Support: Assisting the supervisor to provide consultation, case staffing, and in assessing needs for on-going agency involvement. Providing input on performance evaluations and disciplinary actions occasionally.
• On-Call Demands: Performing 24-hour on-call services as needed under supervisor's direction (subject to geographic employment location and/or agency demand).

Job Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you must meet the following criteria:

• Driver's License: Possess a valid Utah driver's license.
• Professional Skills: Proven ability to interact professionally with all levels of management, manage a diversified workload, and handle challenging situations.
• Core Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of all aspects of SAFE, community/agency resources, and applicable child welfare laws, rules, regulations, and Practice Guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to candidates who possess:

• Current Employment: Active status as a current Utah Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) employee.
• An active and in good standing Social Service Worker (SSW) license or higher mental health licensure in the State of Utah (such as CSW, LCSW, LPC, or LMFT). (For clarification, if the candidate does not have a SSW license
• Two (2) or more years of professional work experience with the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS).
• Active, working knowledge of CPS.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Family & Human Development, Criminal Justice, Gerontology, or a closely related field.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Physical Demands (Moderate): This position requires some physical exertion. You must be able to stand, walk over rough surfaces, bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, and lift moderately heavy items up to 50 lbs. (such as recurrently lifting or carrying a child) .
• Working Conditions (High Risk): You will be exposed to risks and environmental stressors found in potentially dangerous or unusual environmental stress situations, e.g., entering clients' homes, working around contagious diseases/infestations (i.e., parasitic infections caused by head lice, bed bugs, scabies, etc.), exposure to chemicals/illegal substances, or being subject to possible physical or verbal attack.

Supplemental Information

• Only applicants invited to interview will be notified.
• May require 24-hour on-call services/time. 24-hour on-call services response time to be determined by the agency.
• Department of Human Resource Management rules regarding promotions and transfers apply to current employees.
• Travel required; you may be required to use your personal vehicle to perform the duties of this position; approved mileage is reimbursable through State Finance.
• All DCFS job offers are contingent upon passing a Background Screening Application (BSA).
• Must have a valid Utah driver’s license.
• A position’s eligibility for hybrid work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion at any time and for any reason.
• The State of Utah requires all employees to physically work inside the State of Utah Boundaries.

About the Role

Location –

1385 S. State St.

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84115

United States

Background Check Required – Yes

Drug Test Required – No

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

Become an integral part of a Utah Division working together to keep children safe and strengthen families in our communities. Experience a sense of achievement for a job well done and enjoy work life balance! We offer great health benefits and retirement plans, generous paid time off, and a balanced work schedule to afford quality time spent with your family.

The goal of Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is to have communities where children grow up safe from abuse, neglect and dependency, where adults are protected from domestic violence, and where parents can be strengthened in their capacity to keep their family safe.

For more information about DCFS, Click Here

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.