CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL WORKER - PERMANENCY PLANNING

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides services to children in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services who require reunification, relative placement, adoption and/or termination of parental rights. Makes diligent efforts to achieve permanency for children while monitoring their safety and well-being. Maintains thorough documentation of all case activity. Works in partnership with other community agencies. Prepares court summaries and participates in associated court proceedings.

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, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
• 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, employ 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 negotiation 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 direct information and limited access to consultation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• 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 service 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.

Special Requirements

• Requires a valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable three-year driving record and a vehicle.
• Bilingual Skills Preferred.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

Requires reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.

Background Check Statement

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.