Salary: $27.38 - $42.45 HourlyLocation : NC 28712, NCJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 00344Department: Social ServicesDivision: CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONOpening Date: 11/22/2024FLSA: Non-ExemptEssential FunctionsThis position provides protective, investigative, counseling and case management services for children who are at risk for neglect and/or abuse in Transylvania County. Position could be subject to assisting with Assessment, In-Home or Foster Care cases if needed.
Investigate/assess new protective service reports by observing children involved in the report, identifying verbal and non-verbal behavior, interviewing children and obtaining medical and psychological evaluations as part of the initial evaluation process, as necessary, to determine extent of abuse or neglect; gather data concerning the children from families and schools, community, extended family members, friends or acquaintances; interview family members concerning the alleged abuse or neglect, and the family's overall level of functioning.Employees manage a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases. Work may involve providing treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients of any age and/or with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problem including abused, neglected or homeless children. Work includes clinical and social investigation, assessment of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement in foster care or residential facilities. Employees provide expert testimony.Assessment of family dynamics and degree of abuse and neglect using Structured Decision-Making Tools and best practice skills to determine severity and immediacy of the problem and risk to child. Determine if immediate intervention is necessary by removal of children from the home and initiation of appropriate juvenile court action. Arrange for services for family and children as needed.Write court petition, giving clear, concise and cogent grounds for petitioning court, accurate description of abuse or neglect leading to the petition, and accurate accounting of reasonable efforts to avoid court intervention. Include plan of intervention outlined to justify court involvement. Consultation with agency attorney to outline court case, including employee's own testimony, testimony of children and witnesses, testimony of other professionals.Regular ongoing proactive work with families, including face-to-face contact with children and caretakers through home visits and other contacts in the field, including schools and day care centers. Family centered practice skills will be used by employee.Keep timely and accurate documentation in case file, including Structured Decision-Making Tools, narrative documentation, and copies of other evaluations, or records as needed to support all case decisions and actions. Work is reviewed by unit supervisors, program managers or higher-level administrators, usually on a routine basis. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge, skills and abilities required: Identifying and prioritizing problem elements under stress, crisis interviewing and counseling to allow worker to take charge, defuse and manage the crisis by identifying and utilizing both customary and creative resources for the benefit of the client to elicit trust and cooperation from the client and others directly involved. Abilities required of the social worker include accurately observing human behavior and environmental conditions, processing collected data in order to effectively recommend and implement a sound course of action in a short period of time, relying on self as a major resource, while operating in an isolated and stress-laden environment, and acting appropriately and effectively on the acquired information. Worker must have the ability to carry our routine case actions while being involved with crisis situations. Possess thorough knowledge of community resources, manual material and state/federal regulations. Identifies elements of medical and mental disorders. Knowledge of interpersonal helping and treatment modalities. Identifies and prioritizes problem areas, often under stressful situations. Interviews clients who are emotionally confused, hostile, or have conflicting social needs. Creates resources when none are known or available. Establishes constructive relationships with resistant clients. Copes with difficult and demanding situations. Coordinates services effectively for clients through ability to work with multi-disciplinary professionals. Education and ExperienceThe minimum level of formal education for this position is a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and two years of social work/counseling experience; or a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum including 15 semester hours in courses related to social work or counseling and three years social work/counseling experience. The Division of Social Services requires a minimum of 72 hours of preservice training before assuming direct client contact responsibilities for Child Welfare Services Workers. Additional Training/Experience: Child Protective Services workers shall complete a minimum of 18 hours of additional training and Foster Care and Adoption Workers shall complete a minimum of 39 hours, as determined necessary by the Division of Social Services to adequately meet the position's training needs. All Child Welfare staff shall also complete 24 hours of continuing education annually. Medical Insurance
- $50 per month premium paid by the employee / county pay remaining portion
- Employee can cover children/spouse/family at their own cost for medical coverage $77.56/$265.92/ $426.28 per month. In addition to the $50 per month for the employee.
- Employees may qualify for a $50 per month discount. Beginning in 2016, employees must participate in the employee health screening including a base line physical and meet 2 of the 4 accountability standards set forth by the Board of Commissioners to receive the discount.
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