Social Worker IAT (Day Shift)

About the Role

Joining the team at Gaston County Government means being part of a community dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. The organization values innovation, collaboration, and commitment to service, offering employees the opportunity to make a daily difference in public safety, social services, or administration.

Description

Gaston Social Services protects, cares for, and empowers children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves by administering federal, state, and county programs focused on improving well‑being. The Human Services Center and Division of Social Services aim to be professionally responsive to citizens' needs through daily caring outreach and advocacy, while adhering to federal, state, and county operating instructions.

Duties

• Assess reports of abuse, neglect, or dependency of children using forensic investigative or family assessment approaches, in accordance with state law and divisional policy.
• Preliminarily review existing DSS documentation (if any) and staff the response process with a supervisor.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments, interviewing victim children, caretakers, household members, and relevant collaterals to gather information about family relationships, behaviors, and incidents.
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement and prosecutors on joint forensic investigations.
• Follow mandated timeframes and procedures for initiating and maintaining the assessment process.
• Observe home structure and environment to ensure basic needs of each child are met.
• Complete safety assessments (initial and final) and all structured documentation tools with the family.
• Explore alternative safety resource placement options with families to avoid removal of custody when possible.
• Engage families in planning for safety and well‑being, encouraging immediate action and front‑loading services.
• Solicit professional opinions from law enforcement, medical personnel, mental health professionals, etc., to determine necessary safety measures.
• Invoke court action when children cannot be safe at home, including legal consultation and filing required paperwork.
• Accompany law enforcement to take physical custody of children.
• Collaborate with internal licensing/placement experts to identify and deliver children to appropriate placements.
• Participate in forensic joint interviews at the local Child Advocacy Center on appropriate cases.
• Participate in weekly unit/team staffing, presenting completed case assessments for decision‑making.
• Seek guidance, direction, and support from a supervisor as needed throughout a case.
• Document all activities, contacts, dates, and times in the NC Fast structured documentation tool.
• Request and file supporting documentation from external sources (medical records, police reports, 911 sheets) into the case file.
• Participate in local, professionally‑enhancing, and state‑mandated trainings.
• Attend monthly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to discuss specific cases.
• Attend quarterly internal meetings with fellow assessors to discuss policy changes, service gaps, equipment needs, and process instructions.
• Provide secondary backup for after‑hours on‑call, covering one‑day slots during illness, vacancy, or emergencies.
• Be available to work mandatory emergency shelters and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• MSW from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience.
• MSW from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only).
• Master’s degree in counseling or human services field and two years of directly related experience.
• BSW and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative and one year of directly related experience (Child Welfare positions only).
• BSW from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and three years of directly related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree from a four‑year college or university and four years of directly related experience.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• A copy of a transcript must be included with the application (failure to attach transcripts will result in rejection).

Additional Information

The selected applicant must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment. Positions involving work with children require a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI, in accordance with G.S.153A‑94.2(b) and G.S.143B‑1209.26. Gaston County is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The county does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Pension
• 401K with a 5% county contribution annually
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Discounted YMCA Membership
• Pro‑rated Sick and Annual Leave (part‑time)
• Local Government Retirement Plan (part‑time)
• Employee Assistance Program (part‑time)

Pay

Anticipated hiring range: $30.43 – $36.14 per hour.