SOCIAL WORKER (INVEST/ASSESS & IN HOME SERVICES)

Social Worker Position

This recruitment is a continuous opening and will be used to fill positions as they become available.

In this role, you would investigate and assess the needs of children involved in reports of alleged abuse, neglect and/or dependency. You would also be responsible for engaging the family to formulate a plan to alleviate any identified risk factors. This position may require after hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.

In this role, you would provide in home intervention to families where abuse, neglect, and/or dependency was substantiated, or the family was determined to need services to prevent children from being taken into custody, reduce risk, and alleviate wellbeing concerns. This position may require after hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.

Hiring range for this position is $57,657.60 - $68,972.80. Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile. Pay grade for this position is 21.

Performs difficult professional work providing protective, investigative, counseling and case management services for children who are at risk for or have been determined to be abused and/or neglected in the County Department of Social Services. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Social Work Supervisor III.

Essential functions/typical tasks include providing social work services including intervention and immediate response to crisis situations for at-risk children in the most complex cases in the department; investigating and substantiating the alleged neglect and abuse, providing expert testimony in court hearings, assessing and evaluating child(ren)'s needs, making case decisions and judgments that impact the life and safety of children, developing service plans and goals and follows-up with case management, treatment referrals and preventive services; managing an investigations or in-home services caseload; preparing detailed and complex court summaries and reports; maintaining records, files and confidentiality.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children; of federal and state laws, policies and procedures, program rules, directives, professional ethics and quality assurance standards; and of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory. Considerable knowledge of organizations and resources in the community. Working knowledge of office equipment and computers and applicable software applications. Ability to write clear, concise, and grammatically correct reports, documentation, case records and service plans; to testify as an expert witness; to employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services; to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client environment during daylight hours, after dark and in high crime areas; to analyze and assess child development safety issues in relation to risk factors; to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information and limited access to consultation; to interact and motivate a resistant involuntary client; to work with multidisciplinary teams; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families, a variety of medical and psychological professionals, law enforcement, court officials, attorneys, community agencies and the general public; and to attend work regularly.

Management preferences include North Carolina Child Welfare Pre-Service Training. Experience working in a (DSS) Child Protective Services or Child Welfare Department in the State of NC.

Minimum education/experience requirements include a Bachelor's degree in Social Work AND one of the following: one year of social work experience; qualifying internship; successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program or; Master's in Social Work or; Bachelor's Degree in related Human Services major AND 2 years of social work experience or; Master's Degree in related Human Services major AND 1 year of social work experience or; Bachelor's Degree AND 3 years of social work experience OR Master Degree AND 2 years of social work experience. An 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. One year of credit may be substituted for Income Maintenance Casework experience.

Cabarrus County will verify your educational credentials. Official transcripts must clearly show the specific credential awarded to ensure accurate validation. Special requirements include possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. Position is a safety-sensitive position as defined by the Drug Free Workplace Policy. Must be available to meet with families and children within a time frame that meets state policy and law as well as provides the greatest protection to children. Position often requires after hours work and occasional on-call duty rotation. Must possess or attend and complete the required NC state child welfare pre-service training and in-service training. Physical requirements include light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; some work may require the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires climbing stairs for home visits, kneeling, standing and/or walking while interviewing various parties, reaching and fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of office machines, determining accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to contact with irate clients and/or family members who may be hostile, resistant or violent; homes that may be poorly maintained or unsafe living conditions; travel in unsafe areas where the threat of violence is real or isolated areas where access to emergency services may be difficult. The worker may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.