Permanency Planning Social Worker III

Catawba County Social Services is committed to improving lives by serving children and families with multiple and complex needs.   We are currently recruiting for two Permanency Planning Social Worker III positions.  The primary purpose of this position is to provide services to children and families when children are in the legal and physical custody of Social Services. Children enter foster care due to abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. 

Social Workers in this role primarily focus on ensuring each child's well-being and collaborating with parents and/or caretakers to reunify them with their removed children. This involves home visits with the parents/caretaker from whom the child was removed, conducting assessments, creating case plans, making referrals, and evaluating ongoing progress. They will help eliminate obstacles to parents'/caretakers’ successful reunification with their children. If reunification is unsuccessful, the social worker will work toward an alternative plan to assist the youth in achieving permanency.

While assessing and ensuring children’s well-being, this worker will conduct monthly home visits with the youth in their residence. They will verify enrollment in school, ensure regular medical and dental visits, facilitate access to trauma-informed therapy, and supervise visits between siblings and parents.

This position will collaborate closely with the court system by attending all court hearings, testifying when necessary, and preparing court reports for the judge's review to make recommendations regarding permanency. The Social Worker will conduct home visits with removal parents, conduct assessments, conduct case planning, make referrals, and assess their ongoing progress. They will assist in removing barriers to parents' successful reunification with their children. If reunification is unsuccessful, the social worker will devise an alternative plan to help the youth achieve permanency.  

Social Work Realistic Job Preview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybjt65VnAIg

NOTE:  Trainees, those with Master’s or Bachelor’s degrees in other areas of human services but do not have the required experience, may be considered.    Trainee salary is $50,698.12.

• Work with children, their biological families, and others including extended family, therapists, school and court personnel, foster families, and others involved with the child to help a child achieve their permanent plan
• Develop case plans and interventions that promote safety, permanency, and well-being to support children and families while a child is experiencing foster care
• A full range of case management tasks
• Preparing information for the court
• Timely and thorough documentation
• Conduct home visits with birth parents, resource parents, and children

• Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work; or 
• Master's degree in counseling or human services field and 1 year of social work experience; or
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and 1 year of social work experience; or 
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and 2 years of social work experience; or 
• Bachelor’s degree in a non-human services field and 3 years of social work experience; or
• If the Social Worker position is a child welfare position: Possession of a BSW with the Child Welfare Collaborative Scholarship/Waiver will replace one year of social work experience required.

Additional Requirements:  

• Valid Driver’s license with safe driving record 
• This position collaborates with other mandated positions in Child Welfare Services, so good teamwork skills and flexibility in working across disciplines are essential.
• Ability to work with a variety of people, public agencies, and professionals
• Strong verbal and writing skills
• Effective knowledge of child welfare and social work philosophy and policy
• This position requires lifting up to 40 pounds to carry children and belongings.  

Preferences:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work  
• Strong experience in using clinical and trauma-focused skills 
• Experience working with and/or in the mental health system
• Direct social work experience in child welfare services or similar experiences 
• Persons with bilingual ability (English/Spanish) are encouraged to apply.

Salary : $50,698 - $53,366