Salary: $50,290.50 – $54,814.50 Annually
Location : Elizabethtown, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-00046
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 09/05/2023
Closing Date: 9/19/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
DESCRIPTION
To perform advanced level professional social work providing services in serious and complicated cases that require the flexible use of a wide range of social work skills.
DUTIES
- Provides professional social services to Department of Social Services clients in assigned program(s), which may include child protective services, adult services, foster and adoption services.
- Manages assigned caseload to include adoption cases as well as Links and Foster Care for 18-21 year olds; maintains accurate and complete case records; accurately records services provided.
- Assesses client needs; prepares, implements and monitors care plans, making changes when necessary.
- Refers clients to other department divisions and outside agencies for services as appropriate; assists clients in accessing needed services.
- Conducts home visits to perform initial assessment, monitor progress and ensure clients are receiving necessary care and/or assistance.
- Provides client transportation as needed.
- Attends staff meetings to discuss and coordinate cases; communicates with other professionals to coordinate client care.
- Conducts case audits.
- Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns and complaints regarding assigned programs and projects.
- Works on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week, on a rotating basis.
- Gathers information for and prepares various reports as required by the County and/or other agencies.
- Operates a vehicle and a variety of office equipment, including a computer, printer, typewriter, copier, telephone, calculator, etc.; uses clerical and computer supplies.
- Interacts and communicates with the immediate supervisor, other County department heads and employees, clients and family members, other social service and health professionals, various outside social service / health agencies, attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement personnel, school personnel, and the general public.
- Attends meetings, training, workshops, conferences, etc., as required to enhance job knowledge and skills.
- Performs intake procedures.
- Processes applications for crisis intervention funding.
- Staffs emergency shelters as necessary.
- Performs general administrative/office work as required, including attending meetings, preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, sending and receiving faxes, copying and filing documents, reviewing correspondence, answering the telephone, etc.
- Performs related duties as required.
- If assigned to Licensure & Adoptions, duties also include:
- Provides recruitment, training and licensing of foster care parents.
- Provides a 30-hour Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) class training to potential foster parents.
- Identifies and assesses the training needs of foster and adoptive parents quarterly.
- Conducts home visits and prepares home studies as necessary to obtain information and assess the home environment to determine the eligibility of fostering.
- Ensures that children eligible for adoption assistance/subsidy are approved for such subsidy.
- Attends and testifies in court as necessary.
- Assesses potential adoptive parents for awaiting adoptees thru NC Kids and other Department of Social Services.
- Accomplishes placement of therapeutic diversion, temporary, emergency and supported family; coordinates with intake staff the placement of children.
- Serves as a member of the agency team charged with reviewing and determining foster child placement; identifies appropriate placement resources of foster children, as well as changing permanent plans in out-of-home placement and in the decision to terminate parental rights.
- Identifies needs of children and assists with referrals to appropriate agencies for assistance.
- Investigates reports of child abuse, neglect and/or dependency; evaluates risk to child or damage to child; photographs children with significant bruises, scratches, welts and other marks as appropriate as needed.
- Performs on-call after hour duties as necessary.
- Performs intake procedures; assists subordinates with casework as necessary.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the Department of Social Services as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Social Worker III.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of social work, especially in the areas of adult and child protective services, adult home care, foster / adoptive services; is able to identify client needs and to develop and implement effective plans to help meet those needs.
- Thorough knowledge of proper English usage, vocabulary, spelling and basic mathematics.
- Thorough knowledge of modern office practices and technology.
- Thorough knowledge of terminology used in the profession; has considerable knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions; has considerable knowledge of the methods of case recording and report preparation.
- Knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information regarding social services.
- Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
- Knowledge of the terminology used within the department.
- Knowledge of and skill in the use of computers for word and data processing and records management.
- Knowledge of caseload management methods.
- Ability to work with colleagues to identify the needs of clients and to determine appropriate services; is able to monitor cases and the welfare of clients and to take action as needed to protect adults’ / children’s rights and well-being.
- Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
- Ability to react professionally and decisively in confrontational situations; is able to deal safely and appropriately with persons exhibiting anger and/or threatening behavior.
- Ability to advocate and promote practices of cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in all daily interactions.
- Ability to develop, promote and practice teamwork in all activities.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive, trusting, age-appropriate relationships with clients and others involved in the care of clients.
- Ability to plan and present informative educational presentations to clients and other individuals and organizations.
- Ability to assist in coordinating activities with other County departments, health / social service agencies, medical personnel, school personnel, etc., in order to accomplish goals.
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with clients, personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation.
- Ability to offer assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required.
- Ability to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision.
- Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
- Ability to read and interpret complex materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
- Ability to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work in an accredited college or university; or a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of Social Work in an accredited college or university and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only); or a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited School of Social Work in an accredited college or university and one year of human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social therapy and treatment planning; or a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a counseling field and one year of social work or counseling experience; or a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a human services field and two years of directly related experience; or a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience. Half credit will be given for years of experience in Income Maintenance Casework up to maximum of one year.
Special Requirements:
Possess valid North Carolina Driver’s License
In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Bladen County will employ only those individuals who are U.S. Citizens or legal aliens authorized to maintain employment in the United States.
BLADEN COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
Bladen County prides itself on having a competitive, productive workforce. For our full time employees Bladen County offers a wide range of benefits, including healthcare, supplemental plans and retirement programs and (12) twelve paid holidays.
Health
We offer the NC State Health Plan Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Insurance. Employee has the option to elect to purchase 80/20 or 70/30 plan.
Voluntary Plans
Employees may choose from a variety of plans arranged through Sun Life. These include Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity plans, Dental, and Vision plans. In addition we offer Short-term disability and Probenefits FSA (Flex Spending Account).
Life Insurance
The County provides $10,000 Basic Life insurance for employees. An employee may choose to purchase additional voluntary term life insurance.
Retirement
We participate on the N.C. Local Government Employees’ Retirement System. Employees are required to contribute 6% of gross wages toward their account.
401(k) and 457 are supplemental retirement plans administered by Prudential.
Vacation Leave
Employees accrue annual leave monthly and may use accrued leave upon approval after the probationary period is completed. Years of service transferred from eligible NC Governmental Agencies (written documentation required) and the employee’s work schedule are used to determine the rate of earning.
Petty Leave
Employees earn fourteen (14) hours per calendar year. May use in increments of 15 minutes. Leave is pro-rated based as of date of hire in the first calendar year of employment. Petty leave must be used within the calendar year.
Longevity Pay
The County offers longevity pay to employees with 5 years of continuous service.
01
Do you have a Valid North Carolina Driver’s License?
- Yes
- No
02
This position requires the ability to work during natural disaster events like hurricanes or snow storms? Are you willing to accept these working conditions?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have related experience in Human Services in the area of case management, assessment, referral, supportive counseling, intervention psycho-social therapy and treatment planning?
04
Are you Bi-bilingual (Spanish/English)?
Required Question