Social Worker III - Adoptions

About the role

Joining the team at Gaston County Government means being part of a community that is dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. We are a dynamic organization that values innovation, collaboration, and commitment to service. As an employee of Gaston County, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community every day. Whether you are working in public safety, social services, or administration, your contributions will help improve the lives of our residents and build a better future for our county.

Gaston Social Services: Protecting, caring for and empowering children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves through the administrating of federal, state and county programs focused on improving the well-being of our citizens.

Responsibilities

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Providing numerous types of adoption services including: completion of Pre-Placement Assessments for agency, independent and relative adoptive families; completion of child profiles for children who have been cleared for adoption; complete relative and independent adoptions and post adoptive services including adoption subsidy.
• Capturing all data and reporting it accurately.
• Recruitment and retention of adoptive homes by providing training, education and support.
• Securing a safe and stable placement for a child in the adoption system.
• Attending court hearings and team meetings, attending local training for job enhancement, completing documentation in case records as well as monthly reports, court reports and participation in unit/team staffings.
• Attending adoption committee to identify prospective adoptive placements for legally cleared children.
• Provision of other program requirements (i.e. problem pregnancy cases, adoption, intermediary services, and support foster care workers in cases where the permanent plan is adoption by providing specialty services, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned that ensure teamwork and permanency for children.
• Must be available to work mandatory emergency shelters & other duties as assigned.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of adoption laws and requirements, knowledge of foster home licensing requirements, separation and loss issues, child development.

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• Master's degree in counseling or human services field and 1 year of directly related experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from an accredited institution and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative **(Child Welfare positions only)
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from an accredited institution and 1 year of directly related experience.
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field and 2 years of directly related experience.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 3 year 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 YOUR TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING REJECTED.

Benefits

Full-Time employees are eligible for the total compensation package which includes:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Pension 401K (with 5% county contribution annually)
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Discounted YMCA Membership

Part-Time employees are eligible for certain benefits as a part of employment with Gaston County such as:

• Pro-Rated Sick and Annual Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Local Government Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program