Social Worker I

Job Title

This position involves beginning level of social work and the provision of direct casework services to a caseload of families with children.

Job Description

The position is part of the Income Maintenance Division whose primary function is to take and process assistance applications, re-determine eligibility and process and react to any changes in the client's situation. The Income Maintenance Team is comprised of six distinct units: Food and Nutrition Services, Adult Medicaid – PLA, Family and Children's Medicaid, Medicaid Transportation, Long Term Care/ SA/CAP and Day Care. Although Income Maintenance Caseworkers and Social Workers are assigned to a specific team at any given moment the worker may be asked to work in a unit to which they are not currently assigned.

There is a significant case assignment of families with children needing day care for reasons of employment and/or training. Other requests may come for reasons of child protective services, child welfare services, or developmental needs. This involves providing information to families and community on what constitutes a good day care experience for a child, assessing need and assisting eligible families with securing the most appropriate child care arrangement available. Social worker acts as a liaison between day care staff and parents when problems arise. Care may be purchased from one of several private centers or home-based care chosen by the caretaker of the child. This social worker provides less difficult casework consultation and services to families receiving day care. This worker interviews and initiates clients into the service delivery system, does case planning, supportive counseling, case management and information and referral. The worker also determines whether the selected child care provider is an enrolled provider and may assist the provider in the enrollment procedure. This worker must be familiar with day care policy and procedures as well as funding sources available. They will assist the Family Services supervisor managing all day care records, reimbursement reports and other related paperwork. This worker shall also serve as liaison between Income Maintenance, the social workers, and child care provider. This position operates in the NC FAST system as it relates to determining eligibility and documenting case notes related to case management, assessment, evaluation and eligibility job duties. The position adheres to other duties assigned by the Daycare Coordinator, Income Maintenance Administrator and/or Director at their discretion. The caseworker also assists in disaster relief efforts that includes but is not limited to shelter duty. Assignment to emergency shelter duty during times of potentially dangerous or manmade disasters is an essential function of this position and you shall be required to fulfill these duties when instructed.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Equivalent Training and Experience: 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. Other appropriate combinations of education and experience will be considered for trainee status. Special Requirements 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.

General knowledge of basic social work principles, techniques and practices. General knowledge of human behavior and family dynamics. Some knowledge of social systems and laws related to the job. Ability to communicate with clarity both orally and in writing, to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, management and community, to organize and prioritize own work, to exercise mature judgment. Skills of interviewing, client assessment, crisis intervention, problem solving, mediation and advocacy. Ability to legally operate an automobile required for performance of job duties. Ability to operate in a complex and at times troublesome automated case management system (NC FAST).

Benefits

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.
• Craven County provides eligible employees with $10,000 life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage through OneAmerica AUL. Employees have the option to purchase additional coverage and/or dependent coverage at their own expense.
• 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.
• Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' 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.
• 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%.
• 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.
• 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.
• County employees receive 11-14 paid holidays annually. The Board of County Commissioners may adjust the holiday schedule as deemed necessary.
• 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.
• Craven County offers a merit program. Up to 56% of eligible employees may receive a performance-based merit increase each year.
• 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.