Intake and Investigation Specialist

JOB TITLE: Intake and Investigation Specialist
SUPERVISOR: Social Services Director
Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Starting Wage: $25/hr.
Program: Child and Family Services & Tribal Victim Services
Department: Social Services

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Kickapoo Intake and Investigation Specialist is a full-time position located in the Social Services Department that is directly supervised by the Social Services Director. The Intake and Investigation Specialist position serves the entire Social Services Department by completing intake procedures with those seeking services and is an integral part of the collaborative response to child abuse investigations, interventions, and prosecutions. The Intake and Investigation Specialist position reviews reports of alleged or suspected child abuse and/or neglect by email, in-person, or phone, assesses immediate danger, and identifies the Priority Level based on established criteria. Based on the Priority Level designation, the Intake and Investigation Specialist conducts an investigation, or facilitates the coordination of a joint investigation, of the alleged or suspected child abuse and/or neglect in accordance with the Social Services Standard Operating Policies and Procedures. When an individual or family seeks services from any Social Service program, the Intake and Investigation Specialist completes a comprehensive Intake, assesses whether the person or family is appropriate and/or eligible for services in the respective program, makes appropriate referrals to community resources, and when the person is eligible for program services, assigns the person or family to a program worker for services. The Intake and Investigation Specialist, in consultation and coordination with the Social Service Director and other personnel, is responsible for creating, supporting, and maintaining program services that are consistent with the culture, practices, and values of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas (KTIK).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The essential functions of the Intake and Investigation Specialist position are subject to change as the interests and needs of the Kickapoo community and the circumstances of the Social Service Department require:
1.
Greet and engage all persons entering the Social Service Department with respect.
2.
Collaborate effectively and consistently with the Social Service Director, Social Service colleagues, employees from other KTIK Departments, and the Tribal Community to create and maintain programs rooted in traditional Kickapoo values.
3.
Determine available local resources within the Kickapoo community and surrounding area for Social Service program participants. Additionally, engage in consistent and ongoing outreach efforts to facilitate the identification of critical local resources to better meet the needs of service participants.
4.
Research available resources within other Native Nations, state and public agencies, and community-based service providers. Establish and cultivate partnerships with potential resources to increase the volume and accessibility of resources to service participants.
5.
Create an operational plan for the implementation of Intake and Investigation services across programs in Social Services that are consistent with the Social Services Standard Operating Policies and Procedures.
6.
Conduct thorough investigations related to suspected child abuse and/or neglect that include interviews with parents or caregivers, child(ren) residing in the home, the reporting party, and other relevant parties and collateral sources to gather a comprehensive set of information related to the alleged abuse or neglect.
7.
Complete necessary data-entry duties, intake and investigation forms, and various reports.
8.
Work collaboratively with law enforcement and the Tribal Prosecutor by completing and submitting necessary paperwork, including affidavits and other investigative documents, in a timely manner and following up to ensure criminal system partners have the information needed to move forward with arrest and/or prosecution of criminal charges or the filing of civil cases related to the abuse and/or neglect of Kickapoo children.
9.
Administer and supervise any authorized drug and/or alcohol testing to parents or caregivers involved in an active Investigation of child abuse and/or neglect.
10.
Assist the Social Service Director and other Social Service personnel in Case Planning Conferences or other program services as needed and requested.
11.
Plan office activities, training events, and field visits in connection with intake procedures and investigative functions.
12.
Create and maintain accurate and up-to-date written/hard copy and electronic records for every assigned case.
13.
Prepare and submit to the Social Service Director a monthly status report indicating the status of every active case, including all investigations and intakes.
14.
Schedule forensic interviews for children or youth from accredited child advocacy centers or certified forensic interview programs when warranted and appropriate based on the needs and findings of the investigation.
15.
Contact, communicate with, and facilitate coordination of joint investigations, including forensic interviews, with Child Advocacy staff, law enforcement, prosecution, and other partner agencies.
16.
Schedule collaborative meetings with Social Service personnel to whom Intake cases are assigned to coordinate appropriate and effective services.
17.
Schedule, coordinate, and lead regular, ongoing Criminal Justice Coordination Meetings with all relevant and related criminal system personnel to establish a coordinated and consistent response to child abuse and/or neglect across systems and departments at the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas. Coordination Meetings should be held no less than once per month.
18.
Complete intake forms, investigation reports, case notes and/or spreadsheets to track case activities and ensure all records, files, and documents are promptly completed and kept updated.
19.
Conduct preliminary assessments to appropriately identify intakes and reports that fit Priority Guideline criteria according to the Social Service Standard Operating Policies and Procedures. Initiate in-depth reviews of reports and intakes, including consultation with the Social Service Director, to establish alignment with case criteria and determine the appropriate next steps.
20.
Complete risk assessments, safety assessments, needs assessments, and other types of assessments as part of the intake and/or investigation process. Use assessments to help evaluate the safety, risks, needs, and functioning of the individual, child, or family.
21.
Engage in one-on-one conversations with children and adults using approved and appropriate interviewing techniques to assess needs or gather information about suspected harm, determine and clarify problems, and engage in solution-focused discussions aimed at overcoming barriers and addressing issues, including the use of culturally appropriate and traditional methods.
22.
Maintain strict confidentiality and cultural humility when performing all duties.
23.
Adhere to professional ethics, KTIK Code of Conduct, and high-performance standards when carrying out all duties of the position.
24.
Respond in a timely manner to all calls, emails, voicemails, or other attempted contact. Be responsive to all collaborative partners, colleagues, service participants, and community members.
25.
Represent the Kickapoo Social Services Department in meetings or events, when requested by the Social Services Director.
26.
Perform public relations activities such as addressing community groups, attending conferences, serving on task forces and committees, as directed or requested by the Social Services Director.
27.
Reach a finding on each case investigation and document the finding. Take appropriate and essential actions in each case based on the investigation findings, including, but not limited to: creating immediate safety plans, connecting families with services, facilitating the removal of children to prevent further harm, coordinating foster care services for a child or sibling set, or other necessary action.
28.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Social Services Director as needed or requested.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A candidate must demonstrate sufficient education, training and experience to establish that they possess the ability to successfully perform each essential function of the position. The requirements listed below are generally representative of the requisite education, experience, and skills and/or ability to allow for the successful performance of the position’s essential functions:
1.
Be familiar with child welfare guidelines including criteria that establish child abuse and neglect.
2.
Be familiar with child welfare history, practices, and context within tribal communities.
3.
Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following academic fields: criminal justice; human services; native studies; psychology; social work; or a related field; or an associate's degree with at least 5 years of work experience in child protection or child welfare.
4.
Be a self-starter who is highly motivated, embodies integrity in word and action, and possesses empathy, resilience, and a strong work ethic.
5.
Hold a minimum of one year in work experience within a court system, social welfare agency, or domestic violence program.
6.
Possess the ability to work independently as well as within a team environment while maintaining positive and constructive working relationships with colleagues.

7.
Be available to respond to emergency situations after hours according to the On Call Rotation Schedule within the Social Services Department.
8.
Have the ability to access and use multiple forms of electronic communication methods, experience and knowledge about operating databases and record-keeping systems, and proficiency in computer skills, including use of the Microsoft Suite of programs.
11.
Have the ability and desire to understand, gain knowledge of, and appreciate the uniqueness of Tribal culture and customs.
12.
Possess strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
13.
Have the ability to effectively communicate in writing and orally as well as the ability to follow instructions.
14.
Be drug free and able to pass a background check and drug screening. The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas is committed to a drug-free work environment and requires all employees to participate in an employee drug testing program as a condition of employment.
15.
Hold and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license that is free of restrictions.
16.
Have no felony convictions, nor any criminal conviction involving violence, dishonesty or fraud.
11.
Possess the requisite knowledge to be successful in the role, specifically: Understand the basic principles of human behavior and applied psychology, including trauma-informed interviewing, common trauma responses, and impacts of trauma; advanced interviewing techniques; basic research and investigative methods/procedures; principles and practices of written and oral communication; language mechanics, report writing and principles of written composition; and general computer operations.
12.
Have the ability to interview children and adults and obtain factual information in stressful situations; listen carefully during interviews to both content and presentation in order to identify questionable information; investigate, research and interpret information regarding a person’s criminal history, social and other background details; interpret and apply complex laws, policies, and procedures using considerable judgment; communicate effectively with a variety of people, both orally and in writing; effectively handle difficult situations; work well under pressure; develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of people; utilize computers to retrieve and enter information.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:
1.
Experience working within/for a Native American Tribe/Tribal Community.
2.
Hold related experience of at least three to five years in a child welfare-related position.
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Draft: 3/15/26
3.
Have a master's degree, or other advanced degree, from an accredited college/university in social work or a related field.
4.
Hold a valid license or certification in a behavioral science (LMSW, CADC, LPC, etc.).

DUTY OF PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY:
The Intake and Investigation Specialist position has access to private and confidential information and is subject to additional Tribal and Court provisions regarding security and confidentiality. To be qualified for this position, the candidate must understand all rules and regulations related to confidentiality and privacy when working with court records and satisfactorily attest to their ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and privacy for all service participants.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Mobility: Operate a keyboard; sit for long periods; frequent walking and driving; occasional bending and squatting.
Lifting: Frequent lifting of 10 lbs. or less; occasional lifting 11-20 lbs.
Visual: Frequent use of good overall vision, reading, close-up work, peripheral vision.
Dexterity: Frequent reaching, repetitive motion, and writing.
Hearing/Talking: Constant hearing and talking on the telephone, talking in person; occasionally hearing faint sounds, public speaking.
Emotional/Psychological Factor: Constant decision-making and concentration; frequent exposure to issues of trauma, grief, death, hostility; frequent public contact.
The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

INDIAN PREFERENCE APPLIED IN HIRING DECISIONS:
Tribal preference will be applied in hiring decisions for this position, which means that preference in employment will be afforded to KTIK Tribal Members, including the spouse/parent of a KTIK Tribal Member and Native Americans who meet the minimum qualifications and can successfully perform the essential functions for the position.