Assessment Social Worker 3 - Child Welfare

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Master's degree in Social Work; or a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and one (1) year of directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services and two (2) years directly related experience; or Bachelor’s degree in another field and three (3) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. *BSW and Social Work Collaborative Students preferred.

Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred. Certificate of completion of the NCDHHS Pre-Service Training: Child Welfare in North Carolina is preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: A current, valid driver's license.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Assess the risk and safety of children in response to actual or suspected child neglect, abuse, or dependency through conducting a thorough investigation of the home, school and other locations or persons involved.

• Accurately document interviews and interactions with clients by the start of the next shift. 

• Ensure safety planning for children in compliance with state and federal statutes and policies. If children cannot remain safely in their home a petition to the court and/or non-secure custody is sought.

• Advise clients of the Department’s mandated responsibilities, agency policies and procedures and clients’ rights.

• Support daytime staff with meeting initiation timeframes and completing safety checks.

• Provide supervision to youth without placement.

• Provide transportation to clients as needed.

• Support other counties by completing assist requests. 

• Conduct assessments requiring the use of a personal vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

• Perform other related duties as assigned, including emergency response or shelter response in case of a natural disaster or inclement weather.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license and use a personal vehicle.

• Ability to work outside of standard daytime hours.

• Ability to prioritize, identify, and assess risks, problems and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, emotionally confused, and resistant; Ability to effectively de-escalate individuals.

• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively

• Knowledge of medical, behavioral, and socio-economic problems and their treatment.

• Knowledge of numerous funding sources and how to utilize them.

• Knowledge of basic criminal justice procedures, elements of medical and mental disorders, personality theory, family systems dynamics, interpersonal relations, and cultural differences, values, and lifestyles.

• Skills in establishing constructive relationships with resistant clients and utilizing family-centered SW practice.

• Skills in counseling and interviewing.