Child Welfare Specialist II (Adoption/Recruitment)
Work Type
Family and Children’s Services
Position Number
req12989
Salary
$26.49 to $39.74 per hour
Closing Date
May 24, 2024
Posted May 16, 2024
Agency Name
Mecklenburg County
Work County
Mecklenburg
Job Location
3205 Freedom Drive
Charlotte
North Carolina
28208
Job Description
At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.
Youth and Family Services Division (YFS) of the Department of Social Services (DSS) provides a variation of services to safeguard children by strengthening the protective capacities of families whose children’s health, safety and well-being are at risk. The mission of DSS is to strengthen families and communities through a safety-net of services, collaborations, and hope. The Department’s vision is to define and cultivate an organizational culture that is more compassionate and understanding toward each other and our clients. YFS firmly believes the people who do this work are our most important resource. As such, children and families deserve trained, skillful professionals to engage and effectively assist them. If you have a passion for social work and making a difference in your local community, come join our Youth and Family Services team!
Position Summary:
This position will be responsible for serving as an Adoption/Recruitment Social Worker that works with children whose permanency goal has changed to adoption. The Social Worker partners with Permanency Planning workers to complete all functions necessary to complete adoptions for children on their caseload. Duties includes facilitating training, attending court, the recruitment of foster and adoptive parents, pre-placement assessments, completion of home studies, completion of child profiles, and all legal paperwork necessary to complete an agency adoption and court proceedings.
The position requires the incumbent to write coherent, comprehensive, and up to date records and demonstrate file management skills in line with all policy requirements. The incumbent must have the ability to produce error free written work. The incumbent must have the ability to carry out comprehensive assessments of children and families and implement and review written care plans. The ability and willingness to use a computerized client database and word processing programs and other duties as necessary.
*Please note some weekend and night work is required. This position will be located at Valerie C Woodward Center: 3205 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208.
Essential Functions
Data mine and staff to learn more about the child and family to create child profiles that will assist with determining appropriate recruitment efforts and/or appropriate adoptive settings.
Assess and interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situation, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
Interview clients, obtain family, social and medical information.
Provide transportation services as required.
Manage records and documentation of services provided and participate in team case conferences.
Act as a liaison with other staff with referrals and transitioning clients.
Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, medical/behavioral health providers, and other contacts, to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, inability to meet daily functional needs or poverty.
Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
Evaluate personal characteristics and home condition of foster home or adoptive applicants.
Prepare court documents and participate in legal proceedings.
Duties may vary depending on the area of assignment.
Minimum Qualifications Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in social work AND one of the following: two years of social work experience; qualifying internship; successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program
OR master’s in social work
OR bachelor’s degree in related major AND two years of social work experience OR master’s degree in related major AND two years of social work experience.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related major
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes
Licenses and Certifications
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License Requires County Driving Privileges
Annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check required
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree preferred
A minimum of 2 years of Adoption Social Work experience preferred
A minimum of 2 years of Foster Care Social Work experience preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of
Intermediate knowledge of social services procedures, practices and methods Knowledge of work principles and available resources
Social services procedures, practices and methods
Social services related federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance, and social welfare
Case management methods and techniques
Services offered by the county and other local public and private community- based service agencies
Skills
Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met. Exercising judgment and discretion
Maintaining various confidential records Managing and executing multiple tasks Possessing strong communication skills Prioritizing work
Abilities
Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
Building Customer Loyalty: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty
Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
Care Management: Having the knowledge and skills to secure relevant patient care data and identify key issues and relationships in the management of patient care; understanding the relationships among assessments,
interventions, and patient responses; skilled in documentation of assessments and adjusting physical and cognitive prescriptions as needed
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs.
Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences
Inspiring Others: Using interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals toward higher levels of performance
Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people
Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self- imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed
Computer Skills
Intermediate in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable
accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations ma y be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer Statement
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
Compensation and Benefits:
In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which greatly increases your total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses; an employee discount program which provides discounts for retail, dining, shopping, travel, tickets and more; an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling; access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement.