Social Worker III PT

Title: Social Worker III

Department: Social Services

Type: Part-Time no Benefits/ Hourly

Salary Range: Grade 63c

• Starting salary based on qualifications and experience.

Location: Thomasville/Lexington

General Statement of Duties

Performs responsible social work which may include taking, initiating, and assessing reports of alleged child abuse, neglect dependency and exploitation or in treatment, intervention and foster care/ permanency planning services to families and children. Duties will vary as agency needs dictate.

This is a part-time position, with hours that could include nights weekends up to 19 per week.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for providing social work services to their assigned families. Work may be in Permanency Planning, In-Home, Assessments or Intake, or to support these areas of child welfare. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the SW Supervisor III.

Illustrative Examples of Work

- Receives reports of child maltreatment according to State policies and assesses/investigates report.

- Interviews all household members and obtains collateral information.

- Makes home visits to asses for safety.

- Provides appropriate referrals for treatment and/or other services.

- Initiates cases within State mandated time frames.

- Refers to CFE, CME and CAC interviews as needed.

- Makes decisions regarding the immediate safety of the children; arranges alternate placements if necessary.

- May act as a floater, supporting other social workers in completing their own work in order to meet deadlines

- Visits daycares, hospitals, schools etc.

- Involves law enforcement as needed.

- Engages families to identify strengths and needs.

- Analyzes/ interprets reports from other agencies to assess child safety and well-being.

- Assesses whether substance abuse is a problem in the household.

- Assesses for any future risk of harm.

- Provides in-home services to the family to reduce risk to the children.

- Identifies goals and creates a case plan with the family.

- Makes referrals to community resources as appropriate.

- Provides education to parents.

- Assists other social workers in making collateral contacts

- Acts as an advocate for the family.

- Reassesses risk throughout the life of the case.

- Motivates families to change.

- Mediates problem solving.

- Locates and engages absent parents.

- Documents and enters information into Traverse of all case contacts and details.

- Completes various documentation, daysheets and timesheets each day worked

- Meets with supervisor for routine conferences of progress of duties/assignments and any concerns that arise.

- Consults with the supervisor regarding cases as needed; makes joint decision regarding cases.

- Responds to subpoena as required.

- Staff cases with the DSS attorneys and other staff as needed

- Writes attachments to the court petition.

- Prepares court documents and reports for all hearings.

- Provides a list of witnesses for subpoena.

- Determines safe, appropriate placements for children.

- Obtains names of and background checks on potential caretakers.

- Testifies in court.

Transports children to foster care placements, medical providers, etc

- Obtains medical and educational histories of the children.

- Adheres to county, state and federal rules, policies, and regulations.

- This position is required to perform mandatory emergency shelter duty should the need arise

- Performs other duties as assigned, such as shelter duty or supporting the work of other teams or workers.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children

- Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law

- Thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics.

- Knowledge of local, State and Federal child welfare laws.

- Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community

- Ability to interact and motivate a resistant involuntary client population and the public who may not agree with the laws, rules or policies of the process or the programs

- Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services

- Ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client environment during daylight hours, after dark and in high crime areas

- Ability to employ expert negotiations skills in the most complex cases

- Ability to analyze and assess child development safety issues in relation to risk factors; ability to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited access to consultation

- Ability to set aside personal biases while making important observations/decisions

- Ability to maintain a positive attitude

- Ability to work after hours in order to respond to emergencies which include cases of severe physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and fatalities.

Physical Requirements

- Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.

- Worker performs light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

- Worker is required to have close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform work on a computer and perform extensive reading.

- Work may include long periods of sitting – ie in court or in a car driving to a placement, waiting in a location to interview someone

- The worker is subject to environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

- Worker may be subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

- Worker may be subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for period of more than one hour.

- Worker may be subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases or poor ventilation.

- The worker is in contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids during the performance of his/her duties.

- Consequence of error could result in death or serious bodily injury.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related experience; or a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses and Certifications

- Valid North Carolina Driver License.