Social Worker (Zone 2) – Adult Protective Services

Essential Duties New Hanover County is seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Worker to join the adult services unit of the Department of Social Services. This position provides professional social work services by investigating alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of disabled adults.   Duties include assessing the functioning of clients in the context of their chosen environments; identifying strengths and needs; developing treatment plans; determining their capacity to make life choice decisions; coordinating the delivery of services from community agencies; testifying in court hearings; documenting cases; and preparing reports. New Hanover County's Consolidated Human Services Agency is a single county agency that provides any combination of Public Health and Social Services throughout the county.  The Social Services department is comprised of a team of dedicated professionals seeking to serve the citizens of our county through providing essential human services.  The department is a part of a dynamic, professional county organization with a clear vision as a vibrant, prosperous, diverse coastal community, committed to building a sustainable future for generations to come.  Ideal candidates for the department of social services have excellent customer service, organizational and computer skills, the ability to problem solve and make critical decisions and above all, an overwhelming desire to serve the citizens of our county. New Hanover County strives to hire the best and the brightest employees who are committed to public service.  Our employees enjoy an innovative, energetic and employee-focused work environment with top down support that embraces bottom up ideas and engagement.  Our talented team of professionals have a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter.  Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers.  If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to come and be a part of the exciting, healthy and progressive team at New Hanover County. Minimum Qualifications MSW from an accredited school of social work and 1 year of related social worker experience; or BSW from an accredited school of social work and 2 years of related social worker experience; or a four-year degree in a human services field including at least 15 semester hours in courses related to social work/counseling and 3 years of related social worker experience; or a four-year degree and 4 years of related social worker experience. Social worker experience with elderly and/or disabled adults preferred. Must have computer and interviewing skills.  Good driving record and own transportation required.  Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus. Licenses/Certifications Valid NC Driver's License. Other Information Hours:  8:00AM - 5:00PM weekdays; must be available for reports taken after 5PM and must be able to work during emergency situations. Trainee Opportunities: Applicants who meet the required minimum education but lack the required social work experience may be considered, and if hired, will be paid at least the minimum trainee rate of $46,891 and will remain at a trainee rate until the minimum experience qualifications are met.  The maximum period for an employee to remain in a trainee status is two (2) years.  All experience requirements must be met within two (2) years of employment. Priority consideration for trainee applicants will be given to those applicants who have completed the NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative Program and to those possessing a BSW or MSW, however others may be considered if they will meet the minimum experience requirements within the two year trainee status period. Note:  Applicants without a BSW or MSW who only have economic services caseworker experience to count as social work experience, must have a minimum of two years of economic services caseworker experience in order to be considered as a trainee.  Economic services caseworker experience counts as social work experience for one half the time up to one year maximum.  For example, one year of economic services caseworker experience equals six months of social work experience; two years of economic services caseworker experience equals one year of social work experience; and ten years of economic services caseworker experience equals one year of social worker experience.