Teen-Up Social Worker III– 85% position

Salary Range:  $37,682.97 - $57,397.44 (Compensation negotiable within the salary range for fully qualified applicants. Salary rates are based on education, skill, and experience level as well as internal equity and market rates.) Catawba County is committed to making living better through serving adolescents and young adults with multiple and complex needs. We are seeking an individual who shares our common core values: Doing what’s right:

• To provide comprehensive social work services in schools and community sites through an aggressive year round outreach program designed to promote well-being, educational attainment, permanence, and independent living skills and prevent or reduce adolescent pregnancy, school drop-out, and homelessness among high risk youth ages 13-21, including foster youth who live below the poverty level.

Doing what matters most:

• Working with youth to build confidence, teach life skills, teach work ethic and employment skills, model independence and responsibility, promote self-awareness and self-love, promote sexual awareness and reduce teen-age pregnancy, and to offer unique opportunities and experiences that broaden individual perspectives and expose youth to a world of endless possibilities and achievable dreams.

Doing it together:

• Working cohesively with school partners, local non-profits and local businesses to support and strengthen program and individual goals of youth participants.

Doing it well:

• Striving for excellence in empowering youth to meet their highest potential.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• This position works 34 hours a week; daily hours are dependent on youth group schedules and various needs of clients served.
• Trainees, those with a Master’s or Bachelor’s degrees in other areas of human services, but do not have the required experience, may be considered. Trainee salary is $35,798.81.
• Catawba County Social Services serves as the local Community Action Agency (CAA) for Catawba County. Community Action Agencies provide services to help bring people out of poverty.  Community Action Agencies receive federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding via the NC DHHS/Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).  Catawba County Social Services uses CSBG funds to deliver the Teen-Up program to youth in our community who are experiencing poverty and is committed to making living better by working with youth to provide the education and skill building necessary for them to overcome poverty.

RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO TEEN UP SOCIAL WORKERS: 

• Work collaboratively with school and community partners to identify, recruit and screen youth for program eligibility and participation, to include verification of income (must be below federal poverty level)
• Consult with guidance counselors and school officials regarding risk-taking behaviors of program Participants
• Act as liaison between schools and DSS, Health Dept., Mental Health, and substance abuse services based on needs identified in group. Make referrals as needed
• Prepare and provide weekly psycho-educational groups using evidence based practice
• Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution, experiential learning strategies, and sexuality education and training to youth participants
• Coordinate and arrange opportunities for service learning, career exploration and exposure to post-secondary possibilities and opportunities
• Keep current on trends in adolescent development, community trends, and how they affect the group process
• Provide intervention and support to parents/guardians of youth in the program
• Identify youth for work force program and match with placements based on interests/skills/abilities
• Coordinate summer camp programs with a focus on health, wellness, fitness and self-love
• Make home visits as needed.
• Follow all guidelines of the Community Services Block Grant to include completion of administrative grant tasks and participation in quarterly CSBG Board Meetings

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work; or
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and 1 year of social work experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and 2 years of social work experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a non-human services field and 3 years of social work experience

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Valid Driver’s license with safe driving record
• This position collaborates with school, community and social services partners, so good team work skills and flexibility in working across disciplines is essential.
• Ability to work with a variety of people, public agencies, and professionals
• Strong verbal and writing skills
• Effective knowledge of changing needs of high-risk adolescent population and evidence based practices and interventions
• This is considered Light Work, lifting up to 20 pounds required.

PREFERENCES:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work
• Strong experience in working with high-risk adolescents
• Experience working with and/or in the mental health system, school system or human service fields
• Direct social work experience or similar experiences
• Knowledge of health, wellness and nutrition
• Persons with bilingual ability (English/Spanish) are encouraged to apply.