Social Worker IV (I A&T)-Child Protective Services

About the role

This is advanced, professional level casework providing protective, investigative, counseling and case management services for children who are at risk for neglect and/or abuse. Employee will provide social work services including treatment and immediate response to crisis situations for at-risk children in the most complex cases in the agency.

Responsibilities

• Investigate/assess allegations of neglect, abuse and dependency.
• Make case decisions of CPS reports based on DHHS policy with federal and state guidelines.
• Face to face contacts with clients, making home visits, school visits, collateral contacts, provide transportation as needed to clients.
• Manage a caseload of clients providing guidance, support and referrals.
• May at times be required to assume custody of children in the course of their job. They will need to provide expert testimony in court hearings.
• Maintain current (within 7 days) narrative in their cases.
• Complete required DHHS Child Welfare forms in each case in a timely manner.
• Interact with other professionals in a professional manner.
• Be flexible to meet the demands of the unpredictable situations and hours of the job.
• Work over the typical 40-hour work week and work a varied schedule over and beyond the agency’s business hours of 8-5 in order to accommodate the schedules of the families we serve.
• Work an afterhours schedule to include weekends and holidays if assigned on-call duty in order to be available to respond immediately to any situation concerning the possible abuse, neglect or dependency of a child.
• Timely submit required data collecting forms.
• Timely and accurately complete internal Daysheets, Executime and other required documents.
• Work in an Emergency Shelter and assist with emergency food and nutrition services.

Qualifications

• Considerable judgement in determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred, to what extent and how it occurred.
• A significant understanding of clients’ personalities based on assessments and interviews.
• A thorough knowledge of policies and procedures in Child Welfare.
• Athorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems.
• Resource knowledge to make appropriate referrals to the clients.
• Ability to interact and motivate others.
• Ability to work with others who may be resistant to assistance from the agency.
• Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for the court and case records.
• Ability to testify in court; ability to demonstrate advanced case management interview techniques and negotiation skills in often-complex cases.
• Ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client environment during daylight hours, after dark, and in questionable environments.
• Ability to assess safety issues vs risk factors; analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information.

Skills

• Master’s degree from an accredited school of social worker and one year of social work experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience.
• A Master’s degree in counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience.
• A four-year degree in Human Services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience.
• 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 technique of casework, group work or community organization.

Benefits

Harnett County offers an excellent benefit package including health, dental, vision and life insurance, membership in the North Carolina Local Government retirement, free health clinic for employees and anyone in their household and other benefits.

Pay

Hiring Range: $62,763.00

Schedule

The work environment is fast paced, unpredictable and highly stressful. The policy standards, caseload sizes, and often-disturbing experiences can at times cause emotional distress. The work environment is also rewarding and fulfilling as the social worker empowers, assists and provides protective services to the family.

Supplemental Information

• To see more information about the benefits offered by Harnett County, click here.
• Please indicate how you heard about this job opportunity: If referred by a Current County Employee please list their name below.
• Please Verify That Your Application Includes The Following Information: Complete education history (including High School), Employment history including correct dates of employment, employer address and phone number, supervisor's name and reason for leaving each employer. A minimum of 3 professional references.
• Applications without the above information will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.
• Responses to the supplemental questions are verified against the education and work experience provided in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application to determine your qualifications for this position.
• I have read and understand the above statement.