Social Worker I
Starting salary based on qualifications and experience.
Job Description
Social Worker I
General Statement of Duties
This position works with and supports at-risk families who are working with the agency in Child Welfare – Permanency Planning (Foster Care), In-Home Services or CPS. When working in permanency planning this position performs intensive visitation services focused on promoting positive parent/child interaction, bonding, and attachment. This position transports and observes visits as needed and implements activities with parents that promote healthy childhood growth and development while assessing the ongoing needs of families, makes monthly contacts with children, contacts collaterals, assists with referral to community resources and other activities as dictated by the case plan for each child. These positions also support CPS and when doing so, the worker works in tandem to assist in all case activities intended to assess child safety concerns - including making visits to the family, children, and others, and meet required timeframes, and state standards.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class is responsible for providing supervision over visits between foster children and their parent(s) as-well-as providing transportation to children and other clients in accordance with the case plan developed by the Social Worker with the family. Works under the regular supervision of a Social Work Supervisor III.
Illustrative Examples of Work
Supporting Permanency Planning working in tandem with the Permanency Planning/Licensing Placement Social Workers to assist in all case activities intended to achieve the goals and meet required timeframes, and state standards
Supervising visits between children and parents
Transporting children and occasionally, parents to supervised visits, transporting children to doctor and dentist appointments when foster parents are unable to do so
Referring families to appropriate community resources
Documenting visits and all interactions with families
Preparing court documents and testifying
Requesting and reviewing records
Participating in team meetings and discussions,
Providing any additional support services needed by supervisors or children's services workers
Assisting with locating placement for children, sending referrals, completing intake paperwork as needed by new placements
Supporting CPS working in tandem with the Child Protective Services Assessment/Investigation Social Worker to assist in all case activities intended to assess child safety concerns and meet required timeframes, and state standards.
Transports parents to appointments and drug screens as needed,
Completes collateral contacts,
Completes mandated forms,
Participates in team meetings and discussions
Meets with supervisor for routine conferences of progress of duties and any concerns that arise.
Adheres to the federal, state and county rules, policies, and regulations.
This position is required to perform mandatory emergency shelter duty should the need arise
Performs other duties as assigned.
Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of basic social work practices and principles
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite Communication skills
Organizational skills Critical thinking skills.
Must be available to work during emergency situations. Hours will often be outside the
traditional 8-5, due to supportive nature of work
Must have good communication skills both verbal and written.
Dealing with families and children and will include nights and weekend work.
General knowledge of the programs offered at DSS.
Must have thorough knowledge of the computer programs and systems used by
the agency
Must be professional and have a positive attitude
Physical Requirements
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
Must have visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures and work on a computer, driving a vehicle and observing interactions with individuals
The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside
Worker is subject to noise
The worker is in contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids during the performance of his/her duties.
This position requires extensive driving, both in county to see children in the agency’s custody and out of county/state, depending on the child’s placement location.
The worker is on the disaster team and may be responsible for opening or working in a shelter
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses and Certifications
Valid North Carolina Driver License.