What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker II position at Jackson County, NC?
Position Overview
This position recruits, trains and licenses foster parents, provides support for foster/adoptive parents, provides adoption services and works with community groups.
Work Schedule: The Social Worker is scheduled to operate from the office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the worker is assigned to cover any emergency arising during this time. This position will respond to emergencies received by any law enforcement department in the county after-hours, on weekends, and during holidays on an as needed basis. The Social Worker may vary the work schedule to accommodate the individual needs of the clients.
Salary depends on education and experience.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Responsible for recruitment, training and licensing of Foster Parents.
- Provides support for foster/adoptive parents.
- Provides adoption services and work with community groups.
- Analyze situations and determine appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions.
- Reports to a Social Work Supervisor Ill under general supervision.
- Provides services to a small caseload of families.
- Follows state and federal laws, program rules, directives, policies and regulations, professional ethics and quality assurance standards.
- Work is planned and reviewed by unit supervisors, program managers or higher-level administrators on a routine basis.
Education and Experience
Minimum qualifications include a four year degree in a Human Service field. Preference will be given to applicants with a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and/or experience providing Social Work services.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of social work theory, techniques and practices, individual and group behavior, social problems, medical and mental illness, family dynamics, coping behavior, crisis intervention, and treatment of various medical and mental diseases and social issues.
- Possess thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children;
- Possess thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law;
- Possess thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
- Possess 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 the court, case records and treatment plans; ability to testify as an expert witness;
- Ability to make decisions under stressful and sometimes dangerous situations. Many decisions must be made immediately or with little time for consultation.
- Ability to employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and determine 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 negotiation skills in the most complex cases;
- Ability to analyze and assess safety issues in relation to risk factors; ability to analyze tense situations and make decisions;
- Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.
Jackson County provides a robust offering of employee benefits including: employer paid medical and dental benefits, participation in the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, paid leave (vacation, sick, and holiday), Employee Clinic, Wellness program, and supplemental benefit offerings.
