Social Worker III - Adult Protective Services

Position Overview

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work involves investigation of alleged adult neglect and abuse, substantiation of the alleged neglect or abuse as prescribed by federal and state guidelines, providing expert testimony in court hearings, and following-up with case management and preventive services for clients.
• Employees analyze situations and determine appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions.
• Employees may provide group, family or individual treatment to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problem.
• Employees typically report to a Social Work Supervisor Ill under general supervision.
• Employees may have combined investigative and treatment roles or may have separate functions depending on the size and organizational structure of the departments of Social Services.
• Employees manage a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases.
• Work may involve providing treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problem including abused, neglected or homeless adults.
• Work includes clinical and social investigation, assessment of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement.
• Employees provide expert testimony.
• Employees exercise considerable judgment in determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred, to what extent and how it occurred. The selection of appropriate treatment requires significant understanding of their personalities based on assessments and interviews.
• Follow state and federal laws, program rules, directives, policies and regulations, professional ethics and quality assurance standards.
• Work is jointly planned with members of multidisciplinary teams or protective services committees and supervisors.
• Legal precedents are used in some settings.
• Work is reviewed by unit supervisors, program managers or higher-level administrators, usually on a routine basis.
• Assessments, interviews and service treatment decisions affect the safety and well being of adults in abuse and neglect situations.

Education and Experience

• A master's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
• Master's degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
• A four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; or
• Graduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human services field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or
• An equivalent combination of training and experience.
• One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.
• Possession of a valid, State of North Carolina driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.

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.