Child Welfare Specialist II (Mentor Match)

Salary Range: $26.49 to $39.74 per hour. This is a non-exempt (hourly) position. Please note: Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job. Please apply by 3/21/2024 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! Child Welfare Specialist II (Mentor Match formerly known as Weekend Miracles) POSITION SUMMARY This position will be responsible for serving as the Mentor Match Social Worker and the Adoption/Recruitment Social Worker for children in DSS Custody.  This dual role position serves as the social worker who works jointly with Congregations for Kids (CFK) to identify, coordinate, and provide program oversight to youth participating in the program. This position also works with children once their goal changes to adoption.  The position will partner with permanency planning workers to complete all of the functions necessary to complete adoptions for children in their caseload.  The work includes facilitating trainings, recruitment of foster and adoptive parents, pre-placement assessments, completion of child profiles, and all of the legal paperwork necessary to complete an agency adoption.  This 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. *This position is located at 3205 Freedom Dr., Charlotte, NC 28208. The hours are Monday- Friday 8:00am-5:00pm with scheduled nights and weekends. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Duties may vary depending on area of assignment Complete Mentor Match referral application with social worker. Data mine and staff to learn more about youth’s appropriateness for the Mentor Match program. Send out invitation of monthly events, coordinate attendees and transportation. Attend monthly Mentor Match event and provide oversight. Maintain database of youth participants. Debrief matching events. Follow up and coordinate matches. Maintain contact with CFK staff. Assesses needs of individuals and/or families. Interviews clients, obtains family, social, and medical information. Provides transportation services as required. Manages records and documentation of services provided and participates in team case conferences. Acts as a liaison with other staff with referrals and transitioning of clients. Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs. Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, medical/ behavioral health providers, and other contacts, to help children and adults 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 conditions of foster home or adoption applicants. Prepare court documentation and participate in legal proceedings. 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 A minimum of 2 years of Foster Care social work experience KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: Knowledge of social services procedures, practices and methods. Knowledge of social services related federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance, and social welfare. Knowledge of case management methods and techniques. Knowledge of services offered by the county and other local public and private community-based service agencies. Skilled in: Prioritizing work. Managing and executing multiple tasks. Maintaining various confidential records. Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met. Using computers and related software applications. Exercising judgment and discretion 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 client information 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 Proficient 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 may 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.