SOCIAL WORKER (INVESTIGATIONS & ASSESSMENTS)

Position Overview This is a continuous opening to fill positions as they become available. Role Summary Investigate and assess the needs of children involved in reports of alleged abuse, neglect and/or dependency; engage the family to formulate a plan to alleviate identified risk factors; may require after hours (after 5pm) and weekend work. Compensation Hiring range: $58,240.00 – $69,659.20. Pay grade: 21. Key Responsibilities Provide social work services including intervention and immediate response to crisis situations for at‑risk children in the most complex cases. Investigate and substantiate alleged neglect and abuse; provide expert testimony in court hearings. Assess and evaluate child(ren)'s needs; make case decisions and judgments that impact the life and safety of children. Develop service plans and goals; follow up with case management, treatment referrals and preventive services. Manage an investigations or in‑home services caseload. Prepare detailed and complex court summaries and reports. Maintain records, files and confidentiality. Analyze situations and determine appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans, often under stressful conditions. Provide group, family or individual counseling and education to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problem. Assess individuals and family dynamics; crisis intervention; referrals for treatment and placement in foster care or residential facilities. Exercise judgment in determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred, to what extent and how it occurred; assess initial safety and devise ongoing safety plans with families per federal and state guidelines. Interview child, family and collateral contacts; collect background information. Gather and share information to determine extent of abuse or neglect; provide counseling; arrange services; provide expert opinions to legal counsel. Implement the Initial Services Plan or In‑Home Services plan; provide direct services; assess changes; make necessary referrals. Decide modality of counseling with mental health experts; use individual and family counseling; provide behavior modification counseling. Monitor client use of services and progress of the family at least monthly; write a case plan whenever changes in placement or goals occur. Engage families, family support systems and community partners in Child and Family Team meetings; obtain input for case planning. Offer consultation to foster parents and group home staff. Travel to homes, schools, health and mental health facilities, and other service agencies. Attend case conferences, staffing with legal, court personnel, and other Department of Social Services staff; attend other agency and community meetings as required. Assist peers with case work required in the evening, weekends or holidays; assist supervisors with case reviews/closures. Respond independently to crises in a calming, de‑escalating manner. Perform related tasks as required, potentially including emergency shelter operations. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices applied to complex casework, treatment, and investigation. Knowledge of federal and state laws, policies and procedures, program rules, directives, professional ethics and quality assurance standards. Understanding of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and psychosocial problems and their treatment theory. Knowledge of community resources and organizations. Working knowledge of office equipment, computers and applicable software. Ability to write clear and concise reports, documentation, case records and service plans. Ability to testify as an expert witness. Advanced case management interview techniques to establish supportive relationships and involve families in assessments. Rapid assessment of risks and safety in client environments day and night, including high‑crime areas. Analysis of child development safety issues in relation to risk factors. Decision‑making about removal of children when information is limited and consultation is limited. Interaction and motivation of resistant or involuntary clients. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with clients, families, medical and psychological professionals, law enforcement, court officials, attorneys, community agencies and the public. Regular attendance of work. Special Requirements Possession of a valid driver’s license in North Carolina. Position is safety‑sensitive as defined by the Drug‑Free Workplace Policy. Must meet families and children within required time frame according to state policy and law; may require after‑hours work and occasional on‑call duty rotation. Must possess or complete required NC state child welfare pre‑service training and in‑service training. Minimum Education / Experience Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Social Work AND one year of social work experience or qualifying internship. Master’s in Social Work. Bachelor’s degree in related Human Services major AND 2 years of social work experience. Master’s degree in related Human Services major AND 1 year of social work experience. Bachelor’s degree AND 3 years of social work experience; or Master’s degree AND 2 years of social work experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. One year of experience may be substituted for the NC Child Welfare Pre‑service/Collaborative training. EEO Statement Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job‑related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or influence. Benefits Earned vacation & sick leave. 11‑12 paid holidays per year. Floating holiday. Paid personal day. Bereavement leave. Paid parental bonding leave. Participation in the Local Government Employees Retirement System – 6 % employee contribution. 5 % employer‑paid contribution to NC401K; employee options for additional contributions. Health Insurance plans: consumer‑driven plan with health savings account, PPO plan, and optional dependent coverage. Comprehensive health & wellness program: on‑site exercise equipment & programs, health & wellness classes, employee health clinic, employee assistance program. Choice of optional dental plans: PPO or non‑PPO; optional dependent coverage. Vision plan with annual routine eye exam; optional eyewear plan. $20,000 term life insurance & accidental death & dismemberment coverage with employer‑paid premiums; employee option for up to $50,000 additional coverage. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Santa Fe Springs