Social Worker II – Foster Care Licensing

Social Worker II - Foster Care Licensing Hiring range is $39,472.72 - $43,420.00. Posting expires 9/30/2021. General Statement of Duties Performs intermediate skilled human support work assessing social service needs, counseling and assisting clients, determining available programs and services, interviewing clients and determining eligibility for services, providing services to clients, collaborating with community service providers to meet the needs of clients, preparing and maintaining files and records, and preparing reports. Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class assists clients who are in need of social services. Work involves receiving and processing applications for assistance in accordance with established rules, regulations, and procedures including interviewing applicants to determine eligibility, making referrals and coordinating with outside community agencies for the provision of assistance and services, and interpreting policies and procedures. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the assigned supervisor and is evaluated by a review of records, reports, discussions, client feedback, observation, and overall quality of work. Duties and Responsibilities Essential Duties and Tasks • Screens and assesses individuals for crisis intervention, emergency assistance, and general assistance programs. • Monitors, coordinates, and administers specific assigned programs such as adult services, adult protective services, children’s prevention, etc. • Prepares a variety of reports and other types of correspondence; prepares and maintains files and records; submits required reports to Federal and State agencies. • Receives telephone inquiries and/or meets with clients, concerned citizens, family members, and other professionals regarding concerns of adult and child neglect or abuse issues. • Assists client with completing applications and associated documents for program services. • Develops service plan with client; conducts quarterly reviews and revises plan as needed; ensures quality services are received. • Makes regular home visits on adult and family services cases; follows up and updates service plans. • Conducts assessments to determine eligibility for services. • Manages foster home licensing and re-licensing; conducts background investigations for foster home applicants; checks references on applicants; assists with the completion of the Foster Home Licensing application; supervises and monitors foster parents and serves as liaison between foster parents and DHHS. • Enters and updates a variety of information into computer system. • Completes court ordered home studies; interviews families, parents, and other collaterals; assesses safety of home, parenting skills, appropriateness of home and income; testifies in court as needed. • Coordinates in-home aide services and joint visits. • Prepares budgets for clients; pays bills for clients; completes check requests for clients and teaches financial management skills. • Schedules appointments; provides or coordinates the provision of transportation to appointments. • Makes referrals and collaborates with other professionals and/or organizations as needed. • Discusses and provides educational materials to clients pertaining to programs and services. • Maintains client confidentiality. • Develops in-service training for prospective foster parents. • Supervises the placement of out of county children that are placed in foster homes. • Serves on committees as assigned. • Attends required training and maintains required certifications. Additional Job Duties • Performs related duties as required. Recruitment and Selection Guidelines Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Thorough knowledge of County and department policies and procedures. • Thorough knowledge of applicable local, Federal, and State laws, rules, and regulations. • Thorough knowledge of social, economic, and health problems. • Thorough knowledge in operating standard office equipment and associated software. • Thorough knowledge in preparing reports and other types of correspondence. • Ability to perform, organize, and prioritize work independently. • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. • Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions. • Ability to evaluate and assess client budgeting and financial needs. • Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. • Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages. • Ability to understand and apply governmental accounting practices in maintenance of financial records. • Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. • Ability to articulate program policies accurately and professionally even in adverse situations. • Ability to work under pressure within strict time frames. • Ability to recognize changes in appearance, behavior, and demeanor of clients. • Ability to recognize safety, health, environmental, and mental health concerns when working with clients. • Ability to remain unbiased working with different backgrounds and cultures. • Ability to work professionally with difficult people, unpleasant subject matters, and with high conflict situations. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, court staff, law enforcement staff, mental and medical health providers, social agencies, and the general public. Physical Requirements • Work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. • Work regularly requires sitting, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, and repetitive motions, occasionally requires standing, reaching with hands and arms, and pushing or pulling. • Work has standard vision requirements. • Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. • Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound. • Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities. • Work occasionally requires exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment. • Work occasionally requires exposure to bed bugs, other pests, and animals. • Work occasionally requires exposure to structural damage and un-kept yards. • Work requires interacting with clients who have mental health issues. • Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). Desirable Education and Experience Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in human services, social work, or related field and moderate experience in human services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Special Requirements Valid North Carolina driver’s license. Depending upon the area of assignment specific certifications, licensures, registrations, and training may be required within specified time frames as determined by the Director.