Visitation Social Worker II

Job Overview The Johnston County DSS mission is to serve, aid and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families. We provide human services programs that are intended to promote the health, well-being, self-sufficiency and protection of families, children and adults within our community. Johnston County Department of Social Services has immediate openings for a Social Worker II. Responsibilities The social worker will supervise and coach visitation interactions with parents/caregivers and children to ensure children are visiting in a safe environment; this is accomplished by providing observation, praise, mediation, coaching, and redirection as needed. The social worker assesses and evaluates the parent/caregiver and child interactions for children receiving child protective, foster care and adoption services in an effort to provide a welcoming, supportive, visitation experience and sustain the identified permanent plan, while maintaining safety. The social worker reviews visitation request forms, visitation agreements, court orders, documentation, and engages in case staffing to identify safety and supportive measures for visitation. The social worker will complete appropriate and timely documentation in the agency record within the required agency and state timeframes. The documentation must include interactions with children, parents/caregivers, providers regarding the visitation occurrence. Collaboration and communication with social workers, agency staff, law enforcement, GAL’s, agency attorneys and other cases involved parties as required. The Social Worker will provide transportation of children and parents to remove barriers and assist in accessing necessary services (Court ordered visitation, school, medical appointments, events, etc.). The social worker may attend court proceedings to provide visitation information during the juvenile review hearings as needed. The social worker will assist the agency with after-hours crisis management and assist with shelter duty as required. Qualifications Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work and community problems. Thorough knowledge of a wide range of behavioral and psychosocial problems and their treatment. Thorough knowledge of family and group dynamics and a wide range of intervention techniques. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community. General knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of caseload and their families as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively. Bachelor's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution; bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience or Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr Johnston County, NC