What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker III for Foster Care position at Nash County?
Foster Care Unit. This position completes home assessments to determine the suitability suitability for placement of children in the custody of other counties or states. This position serves as support for Child Protective Services with contacts, home visits, collateral contacts, intake duties, facilitation of Child Family Team meetings and transportation. Social worker is responsible for making monthly visits with children in DSS custody upon request from other counties. This position arranges and supports substitute care and obtains permanence for children when the agency has been given placement responsibility.
A. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The primary purpose of the foster care unit is to arrange and support substitute care and
obtain permanence for children who are abused, neglected or dependent when the
agency has been given placement responsibility, either through custody or a Voluntary
Placement Agreement (VPA) with the child's legal custodian/guardian. Additionally, the
unit recruits, trains, licenses, and supervises foster homes.
B. Primary Purpose of the Position
The primary purpose of the social worker in this position is to execute the agency's
mandate to arrange and support substitute care appropriate to a child's needs and work
towards obtaining permanence by:
1. Providing services to children who are in agency custody or placement
responsibility as a result of their parents or caretakers being unable or unwilling
to provide adequate protection or care:
2. Providing services to biological families/caregivers that will help them improve
the conditions that led to agency intervention, thus facilitating reunification;
3. Providing support to foster families or other substitute caregivers to ensure
a positive experience for all involved;
4. Developing alternative options for permanence should reunification fail; and
5. Working towards a safe, permanent home within one year for children in
agency custody/placement responsibility.
C. Work Schedule
The general work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am. to 5:00 p.m. with an
hour for lunch. The worker may sometimes have an early morning, late afternoon or
evening appointment which may necessitate the eight-hour workday being managed
differently. In such cases, supervisory approval is needed. Work requires radio coverage
duty during the week on a rotating basis. The worker is occasionally on call for
emergency child welfare issues and disruption of placement between the hours of 5:00
p.m. and 8:00 am. on weeknights and also around the clock on weekends.
D. Change in Responsibilities or Organizational Relationship
NoneAll responsibilities and duties described are essential to the effective performance of a
Social Worker III in this position and are listed in ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
A. Case Management (85%)
The social worker participates in Child and Family Team Meetings prior to children
coming into care to help identify relatives and/or other options to prevent children
coming into care. The worker prepares children and families for separation and
placement into substitute care, places and monitors children in foster care, and
provides or arranges for counseling and other supportive services for children and
their families. Prepares children and biological family/caregivers and foster families
for re-entry into the home or other permanent plans. The social worker develops a
case plan with input from the family and other members of the Child and Family
Team meeting, identifying problems that lead to the need of substitute care. Worker
will prepare written court studies and testify when needed in judicial reviews of
children in foster care. Complete room and board payments for foster families and
participation in the determination of eligibility for services for Medicaid, state foster
home funding and or IV-E funding. The social worker keeps documentation of all
casework current within 7 days of last contact.
B. Conferences and Staff Development (10%)
Supervisory conferences and staff development activities provide guidance, feedback
and evaluation of the worker's interventions and an opportunity to upgrade skills and
knowledge of substitute care. Such conferences also allow the opportunity to discuss
program questions, agency mandates and monitoring issues as they arise.
C. Community Liaison (4%)
These duties include public speaking, participation on community boards and
committees, and participation in community affairs relating to substitute care and
child welfare.
D. Other duties as required (1%)
These duties include, but are not limited to, Disaster Relief and occasional on-call for
emergency child welfare issues.
Other Position Characteristics
A. Accuracy Required in Work
The worker must gather information with great accuracy in order to determine if
substitute care continues to be needed. This determination is important in that
information directly affects children and families and becomes part of the agency's
record as well as a court record. Daysheets, timesheets, board lists, and other agency
and state forms must be completed timely and accurately to maximize funding and
maintain positions.
B. Consequence of Error
Inaccurate decisions may cause inappropriate actions to be taken which could put
children at risk. Inaccurate recordkeeping may result in the loss of funding and
positions.
C. Instructions Provided to Employee
Instructions are provided in written and oral form by the supervisor through scheduled
conferences, unit meetings, staff meetings and in workshops and professional training
sessions attended by the social worker.
D. Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee
1. Volume I, Children's Services Manual
2. Service Information System (SIS) Manual
3. North Carolina General Statutes applicable to Child Protective Services and Foster
Care
4. Social Work Code of Ethics
5. County and Agency Personnel Handbooks
6. Instructions from Director, Assistant Director, Program Administrator,
Supervisor, and On-Call consultants
E. Supervision Received by the Employee
The social worker receives supervision and review through scheduled conferences,
meetings, informal interactions, reports, and an annual performance appraisal. Review for
timeliness, quality, and accuracy is also received through periodic random case reviews
by the supervisor, Children's Program Representative, and the Child Welfare Review by
State staff
F. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts
The social worker has contact with unit staff, other units within the agency, clients,
Health Department, other social services departments, Guardian ad Litems, Mental
Health, medical personnel, crisis organizations, churches, civic organizations, judicial
systems, law enforcement, emergency services personnel, and the general public.
Contacts are often used as a means of assessing and assisting clients as part of the human
services delivery system
G. Physical Efforts.
The social worker must be able to move within and outside the agency, climb stairs,
and use office equipment described in #9 below on a frequent basis. The social worker
occasionally lifts small children, cameras, suitcases, toys, car seats, etc. in the
performance of duties. The social worker must travel to meetings and workshops in
and outside county. Overnight stays are sometimes necessary.
H. Work Environment and Conditions
Work is performed in a county social services agency with contacts in the field. The
social worker may encounter hostile clients, some of whom are dangerous. Clients
may include those who are mentally ill, substance abusers, or those who are verbally
abusive and threatening, Field contacts are sometimes required even in adverse
weather conditions such as snow, sleet, and extreme heat. The social worker may be
exposed to infectious diseases such as scabies, head lice, flu, HIV/AIDS, etc.
I. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used
The social worker uses a personal computer, printer, copy machine, calculator,
camera, automobile, telephone, and car seat to perform duties.
J. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulation Skills
Close visual attention is required when operating a motor vehicle. Case management
duties require visual attention and mental concentration. Body language, eye contact,
and behavior of family members assist the social worker in assessing family
situations and must be viewed carefully. Preparation of court reports, development of
protection plans, and completion of risk assessments require intense mental
concentration as does reviewing placement options for children. The social worker must
carefully document times, dates, and other factual information so that accurate
assessments and recommendations are made.
K. Safety for Others
The social worker makes decisions daily that affect the lives of clients. The worker
assesses risk and devises plans accordingly Recommendations are made regarding the
removal of children when homes are not safe and the return of children when homes are
safe.
L. Dynamics of Work
Child Placement Services and Child Protective Services are periodically affected by
changes in methodology, guidelines, legislation, and shifting program emphasis.1. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices
and their application to complex casework and community problems in
order to effectively work with the wide cross section of clients and their
presenting problems.
2. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range
of intervention techniques.
3. Considerable knowledge of developmental stages and tasks human behavior,
and socioeconomic problems and their treatment as the worker is responsible
for identifying children who are abused, neglected, or dependent, assessing
the contributory factors and making recommendations for solutions to the
identified problems.
4. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations
and other resources within the community.
5. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies which
govern Child Protective Services.
6. General knowledge of methods and principles of casework
supervision and training.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
clients, associates, administrative superiors, social, medical, legal,
civic and religious organizations.
8. Ability to supervise, train or orient lower-level employees, students or
Interns.
9. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely — orally and in writing
10. Ability to plan and execute work effectively.
11. Ability to operate an automobile.
12. Ability to use a personal computer and access the State Network.
13. Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with
conflict situations and personalities.
14. Ability to function with a high level of autonomy.Training and Experience
Master's degree from an accredited School of Social Work; Bachelor's degree from an
accredited School of Social Work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative;
Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one
year of directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one
year of directly related experience; Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from
an accredited college or university and two years of directly related experience;
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly
related experience.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
1. Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
2. Valid North Carolina driver's license is required.
A. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The primary purpose of the foster care unit is to arrange and support substitute care and
obtain permanence for children who are abused, neglected or dependent when the
agency has been given placement responsibility, either through custody or a Voluntary
Placement Agreement (VPA) with the child's legal custodian/guardian. Additionally, the
unit recruits, trains, licenses, and supervises foster homes.
B. Primary Purpose of the Position
The primary purpose of the social worker in this position is to execute the agency's
mandate to arrange and support substitute care appropriate to a child's needs and work
towards obtaining permanence by:
1. Providing services to children who are in agency custody or placement
responsibility as a result of their parents or caretakers being unable or unwilling
to provide adequate protection or care:
2. Providing services to biological families/caregivers that will help them improve
the conditions that led to agency intervention, thus facilitating reunification;
3. Providing support to foster families or other substitute caregivers to ensure
a positive experience for all involved;
4. Developing alternative options for permanence should reunification fail; and
5. Working towards a safe, permanent home within one year for children in
agency custody/placement responsibility.
C. Work Schedule
The general work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am. to 5:00 p.m. with an
hour for lunch. The worker may sometimes have an early morning, late afternoon or
evening appointment which may necessitate the eight-hour workday being managed
differently. In such cases, supervisory approval is needed. Work requires radio coverage
duty during the week on a rotating basis. The worker is occasionally on call for
emergency child welfare issues and disruption of placement between the hours of 5:00
p.m. and 8:00 am. on weeknights and also around the clock on weekends.
D. Change in Responsibilities or Organizational Relationship
NoneAll responsibilities and duties described are essential to the effective performance of a
Social Worker III in this position and are listed in ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
A. Case Management (85%)
The social worker participates in Child and Family Team Meetings prior to children
coming into care to help identify relatives and/or other options to prevent children
coming into care. The worker prepares children and families for separation and
placement into substitute care, places and monitors children in foster care, and
provides or arranges for counseling and other supportive services for children and
their families. Prepares children and biological family/caregivers and foster families
for re-entry into the home or other permanent plans. The social worker develops a
case plan with input from the family and other members of the Child and Family
Team meeting, identifying problems that lead to the need of substitute care. Worker
will prepare written court studies and testify when needed in judicial reviews of
children in foster care. Complete room and board payments for foster families and
participation in the determination of eligibility for services for Medicaid, state foster
home funding and or IV-E funding. The social worker keeps documentation of all
casework current within 7 days of last contact.
B. Conferences and Staff Development (10%)
Supervisory conferences and staff development activities provide guidance, feedback
and evaluation of the worker's interventions and an opportunity to upgrade skills and
knowledge of substitute care. Such conferences also allow the opportunity to discuss
program questions, agency mandates and monitoring issues as they arise.
C. Community Liaison (4%)
These duties include public speaking, participation on community boards and
committees, and participation in community affairs relating to substitute care and
child welfare.
D. Other duties as required (1%)
These duties include, but are not limited to, Disaster Relief and occasional on-call for
emergency child welfare issues.
Other Position Characteristics
A. Accuracy Required in Work
The worker must gather information with great accuracy in order to determine if
substitute care continues to be needed. This determination is important in that
information directly affects children and families and becomes part of the agency's
record as well as a court record. Daysheets, timesheets, board lists, and other agency
and state forms must be completed timely and accurately to maximize funding and
maintain positions.
B. Consequence of Error
Inaccurate decisions may cause inappropriate actions to be taken which could put
children at risk. Inaccurate recordkeeping may result in the loss of funding and
positions.
C. Instructions Provided to Employee
Instructions are provided in written and oral form by the supervisor through scheduled
conferences, unit meetings, staff meetings and in workshops and professional training
sessions attended by the social worker.
D. Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee
1. Volume I, Children's Services Manual
2. Service Information System (SIS) Manual
3. North Carolina General Statutes applicable to Child Protective Services and Foster
Care
4. Social Work Code of Ethics
5. County and Agency Personnel Handbooks
6. Instructions from Director, Assistant Director, Program Administrator,
Supervisor, and On-Call consultants
E. Supervision Received by the Employee
The social worker receives supervision and review through scheduled conferences,
meetings, informal interactions, reports, and an annual performance appraisal. Review for
timeliness, quality, and accuracy is also received through periodic random case reviews
by the supervisor, Children's Program Representative, and the Child Welfare Review by
State staff
F. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts
The social worker has contact with unit staff, other units within the agency, clients,
Health Department, other social services departments, Guardian ad Litems, Mental
Health, medical personnel, crisis organizations, churches, civic organizations, judicial
systems, law enforcement, emergency services personnel, and the general public.
Contacts are often used as a means of assessing and assisting clients as part of the human
services delivery system
G. Physical Efforts.
The social worker must be able to move within and outside the agency, climb stairs,
and use office equipment described in #9 below on a frequent basis. The social worker
occasionally lifts small children, cameras, suitcases, toys, car seats, etc. in the
performance of duties. The social worker must travel to meetings and workshops in
and outside county. Overnight stays are sometimes necessary.
H. Work Environment and Conditions
Work is performed in a county social services agency with contacts in the field. The
social worker may encounter hostile clients, some of whom are dangerous. Clients
may include those who are mentally ill, substance abusers, or those who are verbally
abusive and threatening, Field contacts are sometimes required even in adverse
weather conditions such as snow, sleet, and extreme heat. The social worker may be
exposed to infectious diseases such as scabies, head lice, flu, HIV/AIDS, etc.
I. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used
The social worker uses a personal computer, printer, copy machine, calculator,
camera, automobile, telephone, and car seat to perform duties.
J. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulation Skills
Close visual attention is required when operating a motor vehicle. Case management
duties require visual attention and mental concentration. Body language, eye contact,
and behavior of family members assist the social worker in assessing family
situations and must be viewed carefully. Preparation of court reports, development of
protection plans, and completion of risk assessments require intense mental
concentration as does reviewing placement options for children. The social worker must
carefully document times, dates, and other factual information so that accurate
assessments and recommendations are made.
K. Safety for Others
The social worker makes decisions daily that affect the lives of clients. The worker
assesses risk and devises plans accordingly Recommendations are made regarding the
removal of children when homes are not safe and the return of children when homes are
safe.
L. Dynamics of Work
Child Placement Services and Child Protective Services are periodically affected by
changes in methodology, guidelines, legislation, and shifting program emphasis.1. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices
and their application to complex casework and community problems in
order to effectively work with the wide cross section of clients and their
presenting problems.
2. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range
of intervention techniques.
3. Considerable knowledge of developmental stages and tasks human behavior,
and socioeconomic problems and their treatment as the worker is responsible
for identifying children who are abused, neglected, or dependent, assessing
the contributory factors and making recommendations for solutions to the
identified problems.
4. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations
and other resources within the community.
5. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies which
govern Child Protective Services.
6. General knowledge of methods and principles of casework
supervision and training.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
clients, associates, administrative superiors, social, medical, legal,
civic and religious organizations.
8. Ability to supervise, train or orient lower-level employees, students or
Interns.
9. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely — orally and in writing
10. Ability to plan and execute work effectively.
11. Ability to operate an automobile.
12. Ability to use a personal computer and access the State Network.
13. Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with
conflict situations and personalities.
14. Ability to function with a high level of autonomy.Training and Experience
Master's degree from an accredited School of Social Work; Bachelor's degree from an
accredited School of Social Work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative;
Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one
year of directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one
year of directly related experience; Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from
an accredited college or university and two years of directly related experience;
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly
related experience.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
1. Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
2. Valid North Carolina driver's license is required.
Salary : $54,975
