Guardianship Social Worker

POSITION SUMMARY We are the legal guardian of over 300 individuals.  The Guardianship Social Worker is responsible of managing a caseload of 27 -35 wards who reside throughout North Carolina.  Our wards have a variety of diagnoses including medical conditions, mental illness, intellectual and developmental disorders, substance abuse disorders, and a combination of these diagnoses.  The Guardianship Social Worker travels extensively throughout North Carolina to meet with clients and providers on a monthly to quarterly basis.  Our wards reside in a variety of settings from residential treatment facilities to non-traditional facilities.  The Guardianship Social Worker must be able to navigate within this variety of residential settings.  The Guardianship Social Worker must be organized and set priorities while being flexible to handle non-expected situations and emergencies while meeting strict deadlines.  Good writing skills are essential as the Guardianship Social Worker must document quarterly assessments, and regular progress notes, and legal reports to submit to the court.  Good verbal skills are equally important as the Guardianship Social Worker must discuss and present information to various professionals in the field as well as presenting testimony in court. Guardianship could be stressful and high demanding but could also be a job that provides great satisfaction as the worker’s efforts and interventions have enhanced someone’s quality of life. Please apply at www.mecknc.gov   Preferred Qualifications: The successful candidate must:

• Have at least two years of recent experience working directly with mentally ill adults and have knowledge of services and resources for people with mental illness available in North Carolina
• Have at least five years of recent experience as a social worker working with adults
• Have at least two years of recent experience in working with adults with medical conditions and have knowledge of services and resources available in North Carolina
• Have at least two years of recent experience in working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and have knowledge of services and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities available in North Carolina
• Have at least two years of recent experience in working with adults with substance abuse and have knowledge of services and resources for people with substance abuse disorders available in North Carolina
• Have at least two years of recent experience in working with adults facing homelessness and be knowledgeable of resources for adults facing homelessness available in North Carolina
• Have at least two years of recent experience and working knowledge of residential treatment facilities and non-traditional placement facilities
• Have excellent writing and verbal skills to discuss and present information in various settings including court
• Have computer skills and working knowledge of Windows and Microsoft and ability to learn programs used by the Department
• Have the ability to travel extensively throughout North Carolina in a county vehicle
• Have organizational skills to set priorities while having the flexibility to handle crises and emergency situations without compromising deadlines
• Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends and during emergency situation at the emergency shelters.

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Duties may vary depending on area of assignment. • Assesses needs of individuals and/or families. • Interviews clients, obtains family, social, and medical information. • Determines if referrals are appropriate and whether clients are eligible for sponsored programs. • Provides counseling and services in both individual and group settings. • Discusses goals, expected outcomes and means with which to meet goals and expected outcomes. • Assists clients in the completion of required paperwork for items that may determine program eligibility, referrals, or provide job assistance, such as job applications. • 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. • Coordinates benefits and referrals to other agencies, whether internal or community based. • Transports clients to appointments such as medical, job related or others, if appropriate. • Ensures timely payments for ancillary services, if appropriate and eligible. • Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs. • Maintain case history records and prepare reports. • Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply. • Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided. • Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures. • Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports. • Administer welfare programs. • Lead group counseling sessions that provide support in such areas as grief, stress, or chemical dependency. • Determine clients' eligibility for financial assistance. • Serve on policymaking committees, assist in community development, and assist client groups by lobbying for solutions to problems. • Conduct social research. • Collect collateral information • Evaluate need for protective services • In conjunction with agency legal staff, pursue appropriate legal remedies to meet clients' needs • Monitor residential facilities for compliance with licensure standards, provide technical assistance, investigate complaints against licensed facilities • In consultation with management, make decisions on behalf of adults deemed incompetent • Prepare court documentation and participate in legal proceedings MINIMUM QUALIFICIATIONS Experience:  Experience requirements vary based on degree held by applicant. Education:  MSW from an accredited school of social work; BSW from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; a qualifying internship or successfully completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program; Bachelor's degree in a related field with 15 hours of social work/counseling courses and two years of social work experience; or Master’s degree a related field and one year social work experience. Equivalent Experience for Education Accepted?     N/A Licenses and Certifications: Must possess a valid NC or SC driver’s license.  Must be able to obtain and maintain a County Operator Permit. 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: • 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. • 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. • 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 message. • 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. • Adaptability – Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures. WORK ENVIRONMENT Moderate noise is typical for the work environment for this job. 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. Please apply at www.mecknc.gov