Job Description

Position Summary

Social Services has one limited-duration position available: Mental Health Services – Social Worker, Early Care Coordination.

Ramsey County Social Services is seeking a dedicated Social Worker to provide early mental health intervention and care coordination for individuals with a Rule 20 order in criminal court. With the continued increase in Rule 20 evaluations and the forthcoming Forensic Navigator role, this position plays a critical part in supporting residents earlier in the process. The Social Worker will work collaboratively with clients, criminal courts, community providers, and the jail mental health team to identify treatment needs, coordinate services, and support alternative placements when appropriate. This early-intervention approach aims to reduce time spent in custody and lower recidivism among individuals with mental health needs.

Please note that this is a limited-duration position that will remain active for 18 months, or until the associated grant funding has been fully expended.

To provide social work services in a designated area such as children’s services (including services to children with intellectual or developmental disabilities, day care licensing, foster care placement services, or state ward services), Adult Services (including services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness services or services to other vulnerable adults), or other service areas (including volunteer services or purchase-of-service case management) by determining service needs, developing service plans, implementing service plans through the provision of counseling, group work, referrals or other services, and monitoring clients’ progress; and to perform related duties as assigned. (This is the journey or full performance level in this class series. It differs from the intermediate level in that employees are expected to have mastered the knowledge, skills and abilities required for proper performance. Assignments typically are performed under minimal supervision.)

Flexible Workplace

This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy .

For more information follow this link.

Examples of Work Performed

• (Depending on assignment) Interview adults or children who may have a variety of mental, physical or behavioral dysfunctions to determine service needs.
• Interview other persons or groups closely associated with clients, such as families, school personnel, employers or neighbors to further assess client service needs.
• Evaluate individual/family functioning to develop appropriate case plans and identify treatment objectives and strategies for achieving objectives.
• Determine the likelihood and degree to which clients may be in danger of physical harm and take appropriate action to protect them.
• Investigate reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults within legislated time constraints.
• Coordinate and facilitate use of departmental and community service resources and make appropriate referrals.
• Investigate, document and present information to the County Attorney to petition juvenile, family, probate or criminal court for legal intervention and testify at proceedings.
• Write social histories and case status reports for documentation of service provision for the department, court reviews and for other service providers.
• Determine client needs for residential treatment and select appropriate placement homes or facilities.
• Monitor client progress toward established service goals and determine termination/continuation of service.
• Provide direct counseling and therapeutic intervention services to individuals or groups to improve their levels of mental, social or behavioral functioning at home, work and in the community.
• Transport or arrange for transportation of clients to medical appointments, court hearings, placements and other service programs/facilities.
• Consult with departmental staff, other county departments and community service professionals to develop and provide appropriate and timely services.
• Provide crisis intervention services including referrals to meet emergency needs for housing, food, clothing or financial assistance.
• Evaluate families and their homes for approving licensure to provide day care or foster care services and for adoptions.
• Investigate complaints and revoke or suspend day/foster care licenses when warranted.
• Speak to community groups to present information about programs and to recruit people to provide day care, foster care or various volunteer services.
• Develop techniques and resource materials for use in recruitment.
• Consult with and direct the work of volunteers and student interns.
• Represent the unit/department in committee assignments and interactions with community groups for service provision and program planning.
• Develop and provide training to co-workers and service providers.
• Maintain accurate case records and complete forms for documentation of eligibility, treatment cost reimbursements, service referrals, evaluation of client outcomes and general case management purposes.
• Provide consultation to other social workers on drafting petitions for presentation to court, and represent social workers at court hearings.
• Monitor client compliance with court orders and report this to the court.
• Provide data used to monitor trends and developments relating to client and program needs.
• Provide problem solving consultation to clients, co-workers, service providers and other agencies.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a social/behavioral science, or equivalent; and any combination of 23 additional credits or 230 continuing education hours in fields relating to social work.

Experience: Five years’ social work experience or equivalent.

Substitutions: Experience as a Ramsey County Human Services Case Aide 3 may substitute for general social work experience on the basis that two years Case Aide experience equals one year of general social work experience. A maximum of six years Ramsey County Human Services Case Aide experience can be substituted for general social work experience. A Master’s Degree in Social Work may substitute for two years of the experience requirement or a Master’s Degree in a related social/behavioral science may substitute for one year of the experience requirement.

Certification/Licensure: None

Exam/Screening Process Information

This is an unclassified, at-will position. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Employment isn't guaranteed beyond the end of this assignment.

Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:

Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."



Criminal Background Checks:

All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation:
Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.



Equal Opportunity Employer:
Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin. Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of our workforce.


Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.


. You will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.


For further information regarding this posting, please contact Nirvana.Wallace@co.ramsey.mn.us

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered

• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan

• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
  • Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay

• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
  • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation

• Transit and parking
  • Fully funded Metropass.
  • Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account

• Employee well-being
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions

• Life Insurance and Disability leave
  • County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
  • Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
  • Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period

• Career development
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
  • Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues

For information about Ramsey County's 2025 benefits, visit:

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Remote work, Work from home, Flexible hours, 2 days per week,

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