Social Worker III

Social Worker Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide advanced level social work services for up to 15 children and their families in which the agency has assumed custody due to abuse, neglect and/or dependency. The focus is to assure children reside in a permanent, safe and suitable homes within 12-24 months of entering foster care. The social worker may provide reunification services, or in cases where reunification does not occur seek an adoptive home, a guardianship or custody arrangement, or another alternative permanent placement (APPLA).

The major responsibilities and duties of the social worker include comprehensive and on-going assessment of children and their families, development of an Out of Home Family Services Agreement in conjunction with a Permanency Planning document, implementation of services, strategies and supports as outlined in the Family Services Agreement (Case Plan) and provide supportive counseling and guidance to resource families to insure children have their physical, emotional and psychological needs met. This position will be expected to write court reports and testify in court including preparation and or testimony for review hearing, adjudication and termination of parental rights cases.

• The work is performed within the Child and Family Services Division.
• Continually assess information from various collateral contacts and resources in the community to determine whether children are safe in current placements and when considering reunification with parents. Report any concerns of abuse or neglect identified.
• To work with clients who can be frequently uncooperative, threatening, or hostile regarding mandatory intervention with their family.
• To stay abreast of and comply with all changes in program policies, laws and regulations.
• To arrange and accompany children to medical, mental health or developmental examinations to ensure wellbeing needs of children are being met.
• Worker must maintain regular contact with the families and various collaterals including but not limited to education personnel, medical and mental health providers.
• Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with conflict situations and hostile personalities.
• Ability to use a computer, navigate the internet, send/receive emails, and use common software applications such as Microsoft Office.
• Should be able to organize work and balance multiple cases, documentation, and other responsibilities
• Understand family dynamics and risk factors that impact a family's ability to care for children
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills
• Should be skilled at assessing and evaluating indicators of child maltreatment and utilize critical thinking skills to process barriers for clients.
• Maintain records organized and current to assist in preparing for state reviews and audits.

Minimum Training and Experience Requirements: Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only); Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience. Equivalent Training and Experience: MSW or BSW degrees are preferred. Other appropriate combinations of education and experience will be considered for trainee / work-against status. Directly related experience is defined as human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social therapy and treatment planning. Special Requirements G.S. 153A-94.2(b) Subject to SBI criminal history record check prior to hire. Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license; any restrictions on North Carolina's driver's license must not prohibit the performance of the essential functions of the position.

The social worker must be able to lift up to 80lbs such as car seats and small children and must not have any physical restrictions, which would limit their ability to work outside of the agency.

Craven County offers regular full-time employees a wide variety of employee benefits including: Health Insurance is provided by ACS Benefits Services and covers a wide variety of healthcare services. Craven County pays 100% of Employee Only premium cost. Employees have the option to add child and spouse dependent coverage at their own cost. Dental Insurance is provided through the Delta Dental PPO and Delta Dental Premier network administered by ACS Benefits Services. It covers a percentage of basic to major dental procedures, including orthodontia for children. Craven County pays 100% of Employee Only premium cost. Employees have the option to add child and spouse dependent coverage at their own expense. Life Insurance and AD&D Craven County provides eligible employees with $10,000 life insurance and accidental dealth and dismemberment coverage through OneAmerica AUL. Employees have the option to purchase additional coverage and/or dependent coverage at their own expense. Disability Insurance Craven County provides eligible employees with $50.00 per week in disability insurance through OneAmerica AUL. Employees have the option to purchase additional disability insurance at their own cost. North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the retirement system and must contribute 6% of their gross salary each pay period. Once eligibility requirements are met, employees will be able to receive monthly payments for life based on their salary, age, and years of service credit. NC401k Craven County contributes 2% of eligible employees' gross salary into the 401(k) account regardless of the employee's deferral amount. In addition, the County matches employee deferrals up to an additional 3%. Annual Leave Regular full-time employees earn annual leave based upon years of service. Eligible employees begin to accrue annual leave as soon as they start but must complete a six month probationary period before they are eligible to use annual leave. Less than two years of service earns 10 days per year. Two but less than five years of service earns 12 days per year. Five but less than 10 years of service earns 15 days per year. 10 but less than 20 years of service earns 18 days per year. 20 or more years of service earns 20 days per year. Sick Leave Regular full-time employees earn 3.69 hours of sick leave per pay period. Craven County accepts eligible sick leave from the State of North Carolina, any of its political subdivisions, any local government entity or authority, or municipality in North Carolina. Paid Holidays County employees receive 11-14 paid holidays annually. The Board of County Commissioners may adjust the holiday schedule as deemed necessary. Longevity Eligible employees earn $200 in longevity after five years of service by October 31 of the qualifying year. Longevity benefits increase $25 per year up to a maximum of $1,000. Merit Program Craven County offers a merit program. Up to 56% of eligible employees may receive a performance-based merit increase each year. Supplemental Benefits County employees are also offered a variety of supplemental benefits to select at their own expense such as Life Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Critical Care policies, Cancer policies, Long-term Care policies, Hospitalization policies, 457b Deferred Compensation Plan and Aflac. Employee benefits are subject to change or may be contingent upon funding availability.