Social Worker – Foster Care

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:     The primary purpose of this position is to provide services to families and children when children are in the physical or legal custody of the Department of Social Services due to abuse, neglect and/or dependency. This worker will provide tasks such as on-going assessments, family service agreements and intervention services.   Social workers in this position are involved in court proceedings and have to give reports and testimony to the court on a frequent basis.  Social worker is responsible for documentation of interactions with clients and families, collaterals and other identified family supports as well as on-going consultation with supervisor and agency attorney.   Work will include coordinating/obtaining services for the child and their family to promote the highest probability of reunification with the family.  When reunification is not attainable, the social worker provides services to provide the best option for permanency (reuniting children with the parent or caretaker from whom they were removed, assisting with the process for an approved caretaker or relative to obtain custody/guardianship, or adoption).   The social worker in this role works diligently with children around well-being needs including trauma symptoms, special needs, placement needs, educational advocacy, and court involvement. These efforts on behalf of children and families are vital in meeting federal and state mandates and achieving permanence in a timely manner. Performs other duties as required.   Must serve as an after-hours on-call worker in rotation with other workers.     RECRUITMENT STANDARDS:   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Experience in interviewing caretakers, children, and other sources soliciting specific details of maltreatment to obtain thorough and comprehensive assessment of alleged maltreatment. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, and community problems. Skill in establishing rapport with a client and in applying techniques or assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client’s problems. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of case load and their families, as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations. Completion of North Carolina Child Welfare Pre-Service training. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be at least 21 years of age. Persons with bilingual ability (English/Spanish) are encouraged to apply.     Minimum Training:

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work
• or Master's degree in a human services field and one year of experience in social work or counseling
• orBachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative
• or Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience
• orBachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience
• orBachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any field and three years of directly related experience.

  BENEFITS:

• Affordable NC State Medical Insurance
• Local Government Employees Retirement Plan, 401K/457 Plans
• Dental, Vision, Critical Illness, Accident, Life and Hospital Insurances
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
• Short and Long Term Disability