Social Worker I

Social Worker I

Empower Successful People to thrive in a Strong Community supported by Quality Government

This is professional-level work involving the provision of both direct and indirect services to clients and/or their families. Clients generally have specific problems that require well-established patterns of service. Work focuses upon the restoration of the client's physical, social, and economic functioning. Direct services are provided through a variety of Public Health, Mental Health or Social Services programs.

Duties include interviewing the client, relatives, and other contacts to obtain information; incorporating the information into a social history, and planning for required services. Work involves tasks such as establishing eligibility for specific programs or services and the most appropriate client services. In some settings, employees serve as the portal-of-entry for the agency they represent; this requires employees to explain agency policies, programs, and procedures to their clients, determine eligibility for programs, and certify clients for services. However, once services have been established, caseloads are generally transferred to other units that specialize in the particular program or service.

Employees at the Social Worker I level explain social work alternatives and benefits, answer factual questions, give explanations and interpretations of agency policies and procedures that concern the client, and make referrals for other services. Supportive counseling and education are provided to clients or their care givers. Work is distinguished from that of other Social Worker classifications by the more limited range of cases and the less difficult and intensity of personal contacts. The work performed in higher-level social worker positions require greater independence of action, problem-solving, and theoretical knowledge. Employees report to a higher level professional or Social Work Supervisor.

Examples of Duties

Duties and Responsibilities

I. Difficulty of Work: Variety and Scope - Employees establish client eligibility for services, obtain client histories, perform initial assessments, develop a plan to provide basic services, explain available services and programs, and refer clients to appropriate programs/agencies for other needed services. Employees evaluate and document client progress and may assume a case manager role to follow client through the provision of agency and/or external services.

Intricacy - Employees utilize a variety of basic assessment tools to help identify needs; obtain medical, financial, and social history; and develop a service plan for each client. Clients may have multiple problems that require referrals to other services. Service plans include provision of basic services such as supportive counseling, coordination of day care, transportation, medical, vocational, or in-home services, and referral to other programs, services, or agencies.

Subject Matter Complexity - Work requires a knowledge of the basic elements of social work, of program to which assigned, knowledge of basic assessment tools, how to develop service plans, how to plan for provision of needed services, and knowledge of other agencies/programs so that appropriate referrals can be made.

Guidelines - Employees utilize agency guidelines and federal or state standards. Guidelines are generally specific and applications of these determine program eligibility and services provided.

II. Responsibility: Nature of Instructions - Work is performed independently according to established procedures. Employees are familiar with the aims and objectives of the program to which assigned and minimum daily instruction is required. Supervision is generally immediately available when problem situations are encountered. On-the-job training is provided by a higher level social work professional.

Nature of Review - Work is reviewed by assessing program practices to determine compliance with regulations that govern the specific program or services. Work is also reviewed through submission of periodic reports and routine conferences with supervisor; work may be subject to review while in progress.

Scope of Decisions - Decisions impact on individual clients, their families and the services for which they are eligible; employees may provide direction or instruction to paraprofessional staff, volunteers, or care providers.

Consequence of Decisions - Decisions affect a client's eligibility for appropriate services and their referral for higher level assistance.

III. Interpersonal Communications: Scope of Contacts - Work requires contact with clients, family members and other professional disciplines and service agencies.

Nature and Purpose - Contacts are for the purpose of determining client needs and ensuring that clients and families receive appropriate services. Employees provide technical assistance to other staff members and coordinate service delivery.

IV. Other Work Demands: Work Conditions - Employees work in settings which range from modern public service buildings to home environments. Due to functioning or poverty level of some clients, odors and noise may be present in some environments.

Hazards - Employees have contacts with clients and other professionals that would not, under normal circumstances, present any danger. However, behavioral problems of clients and/or the family members could create a potential hostile situation.

Recruitment Standards Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of basic social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to specific casework, group work, and community problems.

• Knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.

• Some knowledge of behavioral and socioeconomic problems and their treatment.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative supervisors, with members of case load and their families, and with care providers and various community organizations.

• Ability to express ideals clearly and concisely.

• Ability to plan and execute work.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a human services field from an accredited college/university
• Bachelors degree from an accredited college/university
• Must have possession of an appropriate driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina
• A motor vehicle record (MVR), background check, and drug screening will be conducted on candidates considered for positions

Supplemental Information

Residency Requirement

Candidate must reside within a two-hour driving radius of Guilford County to be considered for employment.

Transcripts are required.

Copy of transcript must be submitted with application for consideration. Official college transcripts required at time of hire.

Driving is Essential

Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Benefits

We are excited about the opportunity of having you as a prospective new employee!

You probably already know our county is a wonderful county to live in, but did you know it is also a wonderful place to work?

Below are a few of the reasons why we love working for Guilford County.

We offer Health Insurance (UnitedHealthCare) to all benefitted employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week. The shared cost of the premium is based on scheduled/budgeted hours. If you are a full-time employee working 40 hours a week you can expect to pay less than $35 a month for medical coverage, dental coverage for $4 a month and vision coverage for $5 a month. That's less than $45 a month for medical, dental & vision coverage; that's unheard of.

Telehealth UHC Virtual Visits are available to you with no copay or out of pocket expense.

We are excited to inform you Guilford County has an Employee Wellness Center (24/7 access) with strength training equipment, cardio machines and a group exercise room with virtual or in person coaching from our Wellness Specialist!

Employee Assistance Program, 100% funded by the county. A superb benefit for you and your family absolutely free. Confidential help with personal or work-related issues.

13 paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 12 vacation days a year. That's 37 paid days a year, totaling almost 2 months of paid time off.

Employer contributes 5% into your 401(k) - no match required.

Enrollment in the State Retirement Plan by contributing 6%.

Longevity pay beginning at five years of service.

We provide a $10,000 Life and AD&D benefit to eligible employees.

Flexible spending accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside tax-free dollars for health care and dependent care.

Voluntary Life, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.