Social Worker III

About us

The Department of Social Services Cherokee County, North Carolina, provides critical stabilizing and life saving services in Cherokee County, NC. We are agile, inclusive, and innovative. Our goal is to Serve the citizens of Cherokee County in such a manner that all citizens are safe, and all citizens thrive and grow. We offer a wide array of benefits such as Food and Nutrition, Energy, Medicaid, Adult Services, Child Protective Services, Adoptions, Foster Care, and Foster Parent recruitment and training, and Child Support services.

Our work environment includes:

• Modern office setting
• Growth opportunities
• Safe work environment
• On-the-job training
• Casual work attire
• Work-from-home days
• Flexible working hours

Description of Work: The Social Worker for Permanency Planning position involves assessment and providing interventions to strengthen, preserve and /or reunite families after children have come in to agency custody. This person will be developing family services case plans with the family; helping families improve the conditions in the home that caused agency intervention while ensuring a stable, safe, nurturing, and appropriate temporary living arrangement for children removed from their homes. Work involves providing, arranging for and coordinating interventions and services as needed for children ages birth to 18 years of age who have been abused, neglected and/or dependent and to their parents or caregivers in order to focus on child safety and protection, family preservation/reunification and the prevention of future abuse, neglect and/or dependency. Work may include any aspect of work as a foster care social worker including foster family recruitment, licensing and training.

The Social Worker for Adoptions position involves the assessment and support of families and children pursuing adoption. This person will be writing Pre-Placement Assessments, completing Reports to the Court, and helping clients in forming a legal family. Adoption work includes Relative, Independent and Agency Adoptions in addition to work with Adult and Independent Adoptions. Work will also include work with the Adoption Assistance Program. This work will include initial determination of eligibility, and annual recertification's for Adoption Assistance.

The Social Worker for Adult Protective Services will have authority over Guardianship cases, in which an adult is legally determined incompetent and is considered incapable of making important decisions concerning his/her personal welfare and/or financial resources. The worker is also responsible for evaluating reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of disabled adults and to provide services by voluntary consent or court order to those disabled adults who need protection. Work involves making visits to client’s home to monitor and assess the client’s situation, and also visits to other agencies, facilities, and hospitals. These visits can potentially put the worker in a dangerous situation if the client becomes hostile or verbally abusive. Other job duties include providing Representative Payee Services to individuals for whom the Department of Social Services has been appointed by the Social Security Administration. This includes assuring the appropriate use of income to meet the client’s needs and strengthening the client’s basic skills in money management. Worker will also be responsible for determining if a situation is appropriate for, and developing service plans for In-Home Aide Services. Worker will monitor the service plan regularly to determine compliance and if the services being provided are meeting the needs of the client. This worker is responsible for accurately documenting assessments and contacts for the case record, and possible court testimony. Accuracy is required in all facets of the worker’s duties. This Social Worker may be assigned to fill or complete, on a temporary or full-time basis, any role or responsibilities of the Adult Services Unit.

Worker must be able to communicate well with clients, supervisors and co-workers and also possess the ability to make independent decisions when needed. This worker will be required to make decisions which affect the safety and well-being of clients in neglectful or abusive situations. Work involves making visits to client’s home to monitor and assess the family’s situation, and also visits to other agencies, facilities, schools, hospitals and foster homes. Work also involves rotating shifts of after-hours on call for protective services.

Work is performed in cooperative partnership with community service providers, law enforcement, and the court system. Work must be accurate and done in accordance with state law. Performs related duties as required.

Special Conditions: Requires valid driver’s license, and a good driving record. Requires after hours work and on-call duties as assigned.

Minimum Training and Experience: Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; or Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative; or Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; or Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience. College Transcripts should be submitted with application.

Prefer completion of Child Welfare in NC Course (Pre-Service Curriculum for New Social Workers) for Permanency Planning and Adoptions Social Worker positions.

In the event we are unable to recruit a qualified SW III a lesser qualified applicant may be hired in a work-against status at a lower rate of pay. Salary would be based on qualifications.

Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be subject to change based on the specific needs of the organization.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $53,189.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $53,189