Intake Specialist
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46227
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Department of Child Services:
Join a team that engages with families and children to improve lives in meaningful and significant ways. DCS engages authentically with children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. The Department also administers family preservation and prevention services, foster care, and child support throughout the State of Indiana. You will relentlessly pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, adoption or support youth in making a successful transition to adulthood. While this job is difficult and may have long and sometimes unconventional hours, this is more than a job—it is a calling to improve your community and neighbors. Will you join us in supporting our Mission, Vision, and Values?
Mission: The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments. We consider the needs and values of all we serve in our efforts to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible.
Vision: Children will live in safe, healthy, and supportive families and communities.
Values: We at the Indiana Department of Child Services empower our team, in collaboration with state and local partners, to make decisions in the best interest of every child in our care by embracing:
- Child Safety
- Permanency
- Collaborative partnerships with foster and adoptive families
- A culture of safety and transparency
- A commitment to continuous improvement
Role Overview:
The Hotline Intake Specialist supports children and families who contact the hotline about abuse and neglect. You must remain objective in emotional situations to collect necessary information, assess risk and protective factors, and act on reported facts. You will collaborate with local DCS offices and external services to ensure record accuracy. Workload varies with call volume, staffing levels, and operational needs.
Shift will be:
- Wednesday 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Thursday - Saturday 12:30pm - 11:00pm, OR
- Monday - Friday 3:00pm-11:00pm
Salary Statement:
This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $47,320. Salary for this position may be commensurate with education and job experience.
A Day in the Life:
Duties include:
- Answer emergency calls.
- Effectively manage the interview process.
- Determine if information meets criteria for DCS investigation or should be referred to other resources, agencies, organizations, etc. when the information does not necessitate a DCS investigation.
- Research information systems to determine the alleged victim's prior history and assist in the safety and risk assessment.
- Consult with the supervisor regarding child death reports.
- Assign an appropriate risk level and investigation priority.
- Notify the supervisor when reports indicate a high-risk situation.
- Identify and process information to be cross-reported to law enforcement and other DCS and child welfare agencies.
- Determine if confidential information may be released according to State and Federal laws and regulations.
- Assign and forward cases to the appropriate DCS county office or law enforcement agency.
- Ensure each call and associated documentation are processed and completed within established time parameters.
- Document all calls in the automated information system.
- Maintain liaison with field caseworkers, child abuse hotline supervisors, other DCS staff, and other interested parties in the public and private sectors.
- Answer questions related to the role and function of DCS and child welfare laws, policies, procedures, and practices.
- Represent DCS to the public.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:
- Fulfill one of the following education/experience requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree; or
- Associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of human services job experience; or
- Completion of thirty (30) college credit hours from an accredited institution with a minimum of four (3) years of human services job experience; or
- A minimum of at least five (4) years of human services job experience
- Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of social work, casework, sociology and group and individual counseling including new methods and theories of treatment.
- Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, foster care, family preservation and adoption.
- Thorough knowledge of related social services programs and ability to coordinate work among programs.
- Specialized knowledge of the interrelationships of the various behavioral sciences as they affect care and treatment of patients/clients and/or objectives of social work projects.
- Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect in an appropriate and effective manner.
- Ability to formulate and monitor project guidelines or treatment plans.
- Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports.
- Ability to work with families of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity to differences in child rearing practices, relationships and need.
- Ability to work with children with special needs such as mental or emotional conditions, the foster families, or the home willing to accept those children and the professionals who can appropriately provide services to them.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crises situations including those involving confrontational, aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
- Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
You must satisfy the following requirements to continue employment:
Must maintain a valid Driver's license.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes a bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
