Social Worker – Investigative/Assessment/Treatment – Lead Worker

This is advanced, professional level casework position providing protective, investigative, counseling and case management services for children who are at risk for neglect and/or abuse, and/or dependency. This position is to also lead a staff of social workers to provide child protective services as outlined in federal, state, and local laws, regulations, rules, and policies. Employee provides social work services including treatment and immediate response to crisis situations for at-risk children in the most complex cases. Work may involve any number of tasks associated with investigation and/or assessment of alleged abuse, neglect, or dependency and substantiation of the allegation as prescribed by federal and state guidelines, providing expert testimony in court hearings, and following-up with case management and preventive services for clients. Employee analyzes situations and determines appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions. CPS social workers are responsible for accessing, identifying, and documenting abuse and neglect cases and finding the appropriate services to enhance child welfare. CPS social workers must be able to identify immediate threats made to a child and provide arrangements that comply with state and federal laws and agency procedures. These duties may include, but are not limited to: Receive referrals of clients with a variety of problems which require social work assessment and/or intervention and make initial contact. Investigations and/or assessments must be initiated within the timeframes defined by NC General Statutes and related CPS policy manuals and can be immediate depending on the nature of the allegation(s). Petition the court for immediate custody of the child or children and arrange for placement in a licensed foster home or in an approved relative placement in situations where it is determined that the children are at immediate risk and the family is unable or unwilling to provide a safe, alternate plan. Maintain the case, including making all required contacts and completes all required documentation, until case transfer to a foster care social worker is complete. Conduct investigations/assessments using a standard of fact-finding through interview, home visits, collateral contacts and/or other investigations in accordance with NC General Statues and CPS policy. Timely face-to-face contact with the family is required throughout the investigation and/or assessment phase. Prepare social histories and family assessments. Document facts within the parameters of legal definitions of abuse, neglect, or dependency and the level of child well-being, evaluate information against risk factors. Determine (make a case decision) if abused, neglected, or dependent or if the family is in need of services and what level of intervention is necessary to assure safety. Inform clients of available programs and services to meet their individual needs, and encourage participation in the most appropriate activities. In the course of providing child protective services, the CPS social worker should have a clear understanding of the legal basis for intervention on an involuntary basis and to accept the responsibility for offering services to involuntary clients. Review results with supervisor and make recommendation concerning case disposition. Complete CPS investigations and/or assessments as defined by statutes and policy within required timeframes. Activities to complete assessment/investigative cases in CPS can include transfer to foster care, transfer to in-home services, or case closure with no services required. The CPS social worker should minimize the intrusion into the family without increasing the risk of harm for children. Maintain detailed case records and develop and prepare statistical reports as required. Documentation must be clear, concise, professional, and up-to-date. Contacts with children, parents, and collaterals must be thoroughly documented. Collateral contact may include, but are not limited to, extended family members, neighbors, school personnel, medical personnel, mental health professionals. Use prescribed tools and/or forms as required by policy. These tools/forms may be part of a technology system such as an electronic case management system, electronic document storage system, or NC FAST and can be part of a web based interface or standalone software driven. Employee performs on-call duties when assigned. Employee provides court reports and/or expert testimony in court as required. Employee performs supervisory task to assist the CPS Leadership Team and Program Administrator with Agency needs. Employee provides recommendations regarding case direction and other critical information to the Leadership Team. Employee provides expertise subject matter to help lead, guide, and assist less experienced Social Worker build an increased social work skill set. Employee sets the standard of professionalism and positive approach as a growing leader to the Agency. Employees engages in relationship building: Builds rapport up, down, and across the organization; Establishes collaborative relationships to achieve objectives; Seeks win-win solutions to conflict; Develops network of professional contacts; Displays empathy and tolerates diverse viewpoints. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential. The Social Worker Lead must be available to ensure critical child protective services are provided in a timely manner as required, and in accordance with, federal and state laws, directives, policy, and guidance. This position will perform other related work as required by supervisor.   Minimum Education and Experience: Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or Master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; or graduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.