What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker III - Adoptions Unit position at Nash County?
The primary purpose of the Adoption Unit is to carry out the agency's mandate to facilitate the adoption of children who are legally cleared or whose permanency plan has been changed to adoption; to provide case management services to a small number of children who are neglected, abused and or dependent; to provide counseling to prospective placement families and to recruit, assess and provide training based on the Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) for prospective placement families.
Primary Purpose of the Position
The primary purpose of the social worker is to execute the agency's mandate to provide services to the adoption triad which includes the child, the birth family, and the adoptive family. The adoption social worker's role encompasses the provision of problem pregnancy services to the birth family, evaluation and assessment of the child's needs, including determination of eligibility for Adoption Assistance benefits and the evaluation and assessment of the prospective placement family's ability to meet the needs of a child. Services are offered to find families for children in need of placement because their parents are unable to accept or to continue parental responsibilities to the child, Adoption serves as a viable resource for families who are choosing to build or increase their unit through the adoptive process. The adoption process requires a commitment from the agency to find the best home for every child who is cleared for adoption, to protect the rights of children, birth parents, and adoptive parents, and to enable adoptive parents to receive the assistance they need to help them to meet the needs of an adopted child prior to and after the Decree of Adoption is entered. The social worker uses the Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) curriculum to train prospective placement families. This curriculum helps families to assess their strengths and needs and facilitates the evaluation and assessment of the placement family's ability to meet the needs of a child. This position’s responsibilities may also include the completion of relative/stepparent/independent adoptive home assessment on families as well as completion and submission of the Report on Proposed Adoption as specified in NC General Statutes and ordered by the Clerk of Superior Court.
Work Schedule
Regular work hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday- Friday. The worker is occasionally on call for emergency child welfare issues and disruption of placement between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weeknights and also around the clock on weekends. As this position completes Pre-placement Assessments, trains prospective placement families, and places children cleared for adoption, nighttime and weekend work may be required to allow for training and after regular work hour appointments to meet the needs of children and families.
Change in Responsibilities or Organization Relationship
None.All responsibilities and duties described are essential to the effective performance of a Social Worker in this position.
A. Duties and Responsibilities
1. Services to children who are in need of adoptive placement - 10%
These services facilitate the legal clearance of children including termination of parental rights, obtaining consents to adoption and denial of paternity. The social worker uses the judicial system to give sanction to the adoption process which requires case presentation, court testimony and recommendations regarding case disposition. He/she consults with the supervisor, staff attorney, co-workers, service providers and other experts in the field regarding agency custody cases.
2. Preparation of the child for adoptive placement -30%
The worker completes an assessment/evaluation of the child and prepares a preadoptive summary on them. The summary indicates birth and developmental history, background information, hospital records, immunization record, school records and any other available medical or psychological reports. Counseling with a child prior to adoptive placement involves positive reinforcement, behavior modification and grief counseling to help he/she deal with separation and loss and assists the child in identifying feelings and in learning how to express them in acceptable ways. The worker helps the child to be aware of their biological heritage and placement history and arranges visitation with an adoptive family prior to placement.
3. In-depth assessment of the prospective placement family through Preplacement Assessment - 25%
The assessment evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the family in order to determine their capacity to become parents of an adoptive child. A determination is made as to their readiness to parent and the characteristics of child who can benefit from their home. The Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) curriculum is used to facilitate assessment of prospective placement families. This assessment includes the following: Adoptive Home/Foster Home Application, Acceptance Sheet, Financial Tally Sheet, medical information, criminal records check, fingerprint results, reference letters and copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees to document marital status. After completion, the assessment is presented to the prospective placement family for clarification and correction and then to the agency's Adoption Committee and/or Foster Home Licensing Committee for final
approval. The assessment is then finalized and circulated to other agencies to determine the appropriateness of placement of a child in their home.
4. Supervision of the adoption after placement - 10%
Assistance is provided by the social worker to the adoptive family to ensure that a child's physical, mental and emotional needs are met. Foster home licensure may be necessary if a placement is a legal risk. Counseling includes structural family therapy techniques centering around nurturing and control issues and complimentarily. Therapy to help adoptive parents understand normal child development and identify and cope with abnormalities is addressed as is helping families understand the problems children have in resolving guilt, separation and attachment. The worker stresses the need for adoptive parents to be aware of the low self-esteem that many children may have and encourages the use of patience and sensitivity in providing opportunities to develop a more positive self-image. Other interventions include: problem identification, client advocacy, problem solving, role play, environmental guidance, therapy, cognitive trauma focused therapy, behavior enactments and positive reinforcement. Progress of the child in their adoptive placement is documented in the case record and reports sent to the placement county. The worker files the necessary reports with the court until the child's adoption is completed through the adoption process.
5. Recruitment of families for children cleared for adoption and circulation of approved adoptive home studies - 5%
The social worker communicates with other agencies to recruit adoptive families recognizing the need to find the best home for every child who is cleared for adoption. Pre-adoptive Summaries are circulated among other DSS agencies as well as NC licensed private adoption agencies. The Adoptive Resource Exchange, NC Kids and AdoptUSKids recruitment agencies/resources are also utilized. Information about waiting children is shared with social workers in other counties and agencies who recruit, train and assess prospective placement families.
6. Services to individuals identified as having an unplanned pregnancy - 2 %
Casework intervention includes counseling to assist individuals explore alternative solution to the unplanned pregnancy (abortion, adoption or parenting themselves), and exploring the probable consequences of each alternative. Assistance is also given to help individuals obtain and utilize other needed services, including maternity home placement, health services, Medicaid, housing and daycare as needed and is available. The social worker completes applications for State Maternity Home Funds as necessary.
7. Interpretation of adoption services - 3%
The worker is available to speak to church and civic groups regarding the agency's adoption program and attends Adoption Orientation Meetings as needed to give information prospective placement families. This forum provides an excellent
teaching opportunity to instruct prospective families on requirements needed to complete a Pre-placement Assessment and information on adoption laws, policies and procedures and waiting children.
8. Determination of service eligibility and Adoption Assistance Benefits - 10%
The social worker gathers all medical and psychological information regarding a child's special needs and shares this information with the agency's Adoption Committee making recommendations for the components of Adoption Assistance which the child may be eligible. The worker completes the necessary documentation for initial eligibility and assists Office Assistant in managing payments to vendors for services authorized under the program. Also included is managing Medicaid benefits for eligible children and determining eligibility for Foster Care funding, At-Risk Medicaid Case Management Services, state Maternity Home Funds and AFDC-Emergency Assistance. Responsibilities also includes managing funds by authorizing payments when the agency is representative payee for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.
9. Other Duties - 5%
The social worker may represent the Unit on interagency teams and may be asked to represent the agency on community teams or boards. The worker will obtain at least twenty-four hours of training annually after initial training of seventy-two before assuming case responsibility. The Employee will be expected to work in emergency shelters and/or perform related disaster tasks and perform other reasonable tasks requested by their immediate supervisor, program manager, deputy director or director.
B. Other Position Characteristics
1. Accuracy Required in Work
Accuracy is essential in the thorough assessment of the child and prospective placement families, so that all needs can be et and strengths and weaknesses are addressed. For financial reimbursement purposes, it is necessary that all criteria for foster home licensure be met, as well as eligibility requirements for families to participate in this program. Legal clearance of a child, for adoption, is essential, as is the completion of pre-adoptive studies of the child cleared for adoption. Accuracy in writing reports to other counties and states regarding placement and to the court regarding adoptive placements is also needed. The determination of Social Services Block Grant services, State Maternity Home Funds, and Adoption Assistance Benefits is essential, as is payment of any benefits under the last program. Documentation, time reports, day sheets, and other state and county forms must be completed accurately and timely.
2. Consequences of Error
Children could be at risk for proper care and supervision if a thorough assessment and
evaluation of the prospective placement family is not completed, thus jeopardizing a child’s self-esteem and adjustment, as well as the family’s functioning. Adequate representation to the court of the child’s progress in their adoptive placement is essential in deciding as to whether a child’s rights are upheld through the adoption process. Failure to insure a foster family meets all criteria for licensure could mean considerable liability to the county, should a child’s needs not be met. If determination for Social Services Block Grant services, State-Maternity Home funds, and Adoption Assistance is in error, potential payback by the county to the State and Federal Government is a possible consequence. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation or reports may negatively affect agency funding and possibly lead to sanctions against the agency.
3. Instructions Provided to Employee
Instructions are provided to the employee, both verbally and written, by the supervisor through scheduled conferences, at agency staff meetings, in Adoption Committee, in the agency’s foster care team reviews, at workshops, and in trainings offered by the agency and state as they are available and appropriate. Such instructions serve to provide guidance, clarifying information, and procedures essential to assure accuracy in the completion of job functions. These instructions may be in detail or in general, depending on the intensity needed.
4. Guides, Regulations, Policies, and References Used by the Employee
a. Volume 1, Children’s Services Manual – especially the chapters on Adoption and Permanency Planning.
b. Service Information System (SIS) Manual
c. North Carolina General Statutes applicable to Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoption
d. Social Work Code of Ethics
e. County and Agency Personnel Handbooks
f. Instructions from Director, Assistant Director, Program Administrator, Supervisor, and On-Call Consultants.
g. Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) manual
h. At-Risk Medicaid Manual
i. Emergency Assistance Manual
5. Supervision Received by the Employee
Employee receives review through scheduled conferences, meetings, informal interaction, reports and an annual performance appraisal. Review for timeliness, quality, and accuracy is also received through periodic, random case reviews by the supervisor, Children's Program Representatives, and the Biennial Child Welfare Review by State staff. To monitor employee effectiveness and skills, the supervisor participates in office and home visit interviews with the employee.
6. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts
The social worker has contact with unit staff other units within the agency, clients, Health
Department, other social services departments, Guardian ad Litem, Mental Health, medical personnel, crisis organizations, churches, civic organizations, judicial systems, law enforcement, emergency services personnel, and the general public. Contacts are often used as a means of assessing and assisting clients as part of the human services delivery system.
7. Physical Efforts
The social worker must be able to move within and outside the agency, climb stairs, and use office equipment described in #9 below on a frequent basis. The social worker occasionally lifts small children, cameras, suitcases, toys, car seats, etc. in the performance of duties. The social worker must travel to meetings and workshops in and outside county. Overnight stays are sometimes necessary.
8. Work Environment and Conditions
Work is performed in a county social services agency with contacts in the field. The social worker may encounter hostile clients, some of whom are dangerous. Clients may include those who are mentally ill, substance abusers, or those who are verbally abusive and threatening. Field contacts are sometimes required even in adverse weather conditions such as snow, sleet, and extreme heat. The social worker may be exposed to infectious diseases such as scabies, head lice, flu, HIV/AIDS, etc.
9. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment, and Materials Used
The social worker uses a personal computer, printer, scanner, iPad, copier, calculator, automobile, telephone, cell phone, and car seat to perform duties.
10. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration and Manipulative Skills
Body language, eye contact and behavior of client and family members require close visual attention to assist the worker during assessment of the adoptive child and prospective family's needs and monitoring progress toward transfer of rights through the adoption process. Determination of SSBG eligibility, State Maternity Home funds, At-Risk Medicaid benefits, Adoption Assistance Benefits, review of Pre-placement Assessments, pre-adoptive studies and manual materials, completion of court reports, and case review forms and driving a car also require close visual acuity. Intense mental concentration is required in all functions of this position as children's safety and well-being are at risk. The employee must carefully document times, dates and other factual information so that accurate assessments and recommendations are made. The employee must have physical dexterity required to efficiently operate machinery and tools outlined in #s 7 and 9 above.
11. Safety for Others
The employee makes decisions daily that affect the lives of children and insures their care, safety and well-being, as well as the functioning of a prospective placement family. Should a worker contact an infectious disease, head lice or scabies, these may be passed on to others. The worker abides by confidentiality guidelines to adhere to Adoption Statutes and protect clients. The employee uses caution when operating a motor vehicle and when transporting clients. See # 8 above for issues confronting the employee and unit for precautions.
12. Dynamics of Work
Work in this classification is periodically affected by changes in methodology, guidelines, and legislations, shifting program emphasis and agency policies and procedures. Such changes may impact the assessment of family functioning, necessitate changes in forms and the implementation of these forms, affect the approval or denial of prospective placement families, impact on the legal clearance of children for adoption and alters the outcome of court recommendations. These changes are apt to occur at any time and effect work with birth parents, prospective placement families and children.1. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to complex casework and community problems in order to effectively work with the wide cross section of clients and their presenting problems.
2. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques.
3. Considerable knowledge of developmental stages and tasks, human behavior, and socioeconomic problems and their treatment as the worker is responsible for identifying
children who are abused, neglected, or dependent, assessing the contributory factors and making recommendations for solutions to the identified problems.
4. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and other resources within the community.
5. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies which govern Child Protective Services.
6. General knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, administrative superiors, social, medical, legal, civic and religious organizations.
8. Ability to supervise, train or orient prospective adoptive and foster parents, lower-level employees, students or Interns.
9. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely — orally and in writing.
10. Ability to plan and execute work effectively.
11. Ability to operate an automobile.
12. Ability to use a personal computer and access the State Network.
13. Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with conflict situations and personalities.
14. Ability to function with a high level of autonomy.1. Required Minimum Training
Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative; Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and two years of directly related experience; Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.
2. License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
a. Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
b. Valid North Carolina driver’s license is required.
Completion of preservice training preferred.
Experience in Foster Care, Adoptions and court testimony preferred.
Primary Purpose of the Position
The primary purpose of the social worker is to execute the agency's mandate to provide services to the adoption triad which includes the child, the birth family, and the adoptive family. The adoption social worker's role encompasses the provision of problem pregnancy services to the birth family, evaluation and assessment of the child's needs, including determination of eligibility for Adoption Assistance benefits and the evaluation and assessment of the prospective placement family's ability to meet the needs of a child. Services are offered to find families for children in need of placement because their parents are unable to accept or to continue parental responsibilities to the child, Adoption serves as a viable resource for families who are choosing to build or increase their unit through the adoptive process. The adoption process requires a commitment from the agency to find the best home for every child who is cleared for adoption, to protect the rights of children, birth parents, and adoptive parents, and to enable adoptive parents to receive the assistance they need to help them to meet the needs of an adopted child prior to and after the Decree of Adoption is entered. The social worker uses the Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) curriculum to train prospective placement families. This curriculum helps families to assess their strengths and needs and facilitates the evaluation and assessment of the placement family's ability to meet the needs of a child. This position’s responsibilities may also include the completion of relative/stepparent/independent adoptive home assessment on families as well as completion and submission of the Report on Proposed Adoption as specified in NC General Statutes and ordered by the Clerk of Superior Court.
Work Schedule
Regular work hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday- Friday. The worker is occasionally on call for emergency child welfare issues and disruption of placement between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weeknights and also around the clock on weekends. As this position completes Pre-placement Assessments, trains prospective placement families, and places children cleared for adoption, nighttime and weekend work may be required to allow for training and after regular work hour appointments to meet the needs of children and families.
Change in Responsibilities or Organization Relationship
None.All responsibilities and duties described are essential to the effective performance of a Social Worker in this position.
A. Duties and Responsibilities
1. Services to children who are in need of adoptive placement - 10%
These services facilitate the legal clearance of children including termination of parental rights, obtaining consents to adoption and denial of paternity. The social worker uses the judicial system to give sanction to the adoption process which requires case presentation, court testimony and recommendations regarding case disposition. He/she consults with the supervisor, staff attorney, co-workers, service providers and other experts in the field regarding agency custody cases.
2. Preparation of the child for adoptive placement -30%
The worker completes an assessment/evaluation of the child and prepares a preadoptive summary on them. The summary indicates birth and developmental history, background information, hospital records, immunization record, school records and any other available medical or psychological reports. Counseling with a child prior to adoptive placement involves positive reinforcement, behavior modification and grief counseling to help he/she deal with separation and loss and assists the child in identifying feelings and in learning how to express them in acceptable ways. The worker helps the child to be aware of their biological heritage and placement history and arranges visitation with an adoptive family prior to placement.
3. In-depth assessment of the prospective placement family through Preplacement Assessment - 25%
The assessment evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the family in order to determine their capacity to become parents of an adoptive child. A determination is made as to their readiness to parent and the characteristics of child who can benefit from their home. The Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) curriculum is used to facilitate assessment of prospective placement families. This assessment includes the following: Adoptive Home/Foster Home Application, Acceptance Sheet, Financial Tally Sheet, medical information, criminal records check, fingerprint results, reference letters and copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees to document marital status. After completion, the assessment is presented to the prospective placement family for clarification and correction and then to the agency's Adoption Committee and/or Foster Home Licensing Committee for final
approval. The assessment is then finalized and circulated to other agencies to determine the appropriateness of placement of a child in their home.
4. Supervision of the adoption after placement - 10%
Assistance is provided by the social worker to the adoptive family to ensure that a child's physical, mental and emotional needs are met. Foster home licensure may be necessary if a placement is a legal risk. Counseling includes structural family therapy techniques centering around nurturing and control issues and complimentarily. Therapy to help adoptive parents understand normal child development and identify and cope with abnormalities is addressed as is helping families understand the problems children have in resolving guilt, separation and attachment. The worker stresses the need for adoptive parents to be aware of the low self-esteem that many children may have and encourages the use of patience and sensitivity in providing opportunities to develop a more positive self-image. Other interventions include: problem identification, client advocacy, problem solving, role play, environmental guidance, therapy, cognitive trauma focused therapy, behavior enactments and positive reinforcement. Progress of the child in their adoptive placement is documented in the case record and reports sent to the placement county. The worker files the necessary reports with the court until the child's adoption is completed through the adoption process.
5. Recruitment of families for children cleared for adoption and circulation of approved adoptive home studies - 5%
The social worker communicates with other agencies to recruit adoptive families recognizing the need to find the best home for every child who is cleared for adoption. Pre-adoptive Summaries are circulated among other DSS agencies as well as NC licensed private adoption agencies. The Adoptive Resource Exchange, NC Kids and AdoptUSKids recruitment agencies/resources are also utilized. Information about waiting children is shared with social workers in other counties and agencies who recruit, train and assess prospective placement families.
6. Services to individuals identified as having an unplanned pregnancy - 2 %
Casework intervention includes counseling to assist individuals explore alternative solution to the unplanned pregnancy (abortion, adoption or parenting themselves), and exploring the probable consequences of each alternative. Assistance is also given to help individuals obtain and utilize other needed services, including maternity home placement, health services, Medicaid, housing and daycare as needed and is available. The social worker completes applications for State Maternity Home Funds as necessary.
7. Interpretation of adoption services - 3%
The worker is available to speak to church and civic groups regarding the agency's adoption program and attends Adoption Orientation Meetings as needed to give information prospective placement families. This forum provides an excellent
teaching opportunity to instruct prospective families on requirements needed to complete a Pre-placement Assessment and information on adoption laws, policies and procedures and waiting children.
8. Determination of service eligibility and Adoption Assistance Benefits - 10%
The social worker gathers all medical and psychological information regarding a child's special needs and shares this information with the agency's Adoption Committee making recommendations for the components of Adoption Assistance which the child may be eligible. The worker completes the necessary documentation for initial eligibility and assists Office Assistant in managing payments to vendors for services authorized under the program. Also included is managing Medicaid benefits for eligible children and determining eligibility for Foster Care funding, At-Risk Medicaid Case Management Services, state Maternity Home Funds and AFDC-Emergency Assistance. Responsibilities also includes managing funds by authorizing payments when the agency is representative payee for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.
9. Other Duties - 5%
The social worker may represent the Unit on interagency teams and may be asked to represent the agency on community teams or boards. The worker will obtain at least twenty-four hours of training annually after initial training of seventy-two before assuming case responsibility. The Employee will be expected to work in emergency shelters and/or perform related disaster tasks and perform other reasonable tasks requested by their immediate supervisor, program manager, deputy director or director.
B. Other Position Characteristics
1. Accuracy Required in Work
Accuracy is essential in the thorough assessment of the child and prospective placement families, so that all needs can be et and strengths and weaknesses are addressed. For financial reimbursement purposes, it is necessary that all criteria for foster home licensure be met, as well as eligibility requirements for families to participate in this program. Legal clearance of a child, for adoption, is essential, as is the completion of pre-adoptive studies of the child cleared for adoption. Accuracy in writing reports to other counties and states regarding placement and to the court regarding adoptive placements is also needed. The determination of Social Services Block Grant services, State Maternity Home Funds, and Adoption Assistance Benefits is essential, as is payment of any benefits under the last program. Documentation, time reports, day sheets, and other state and county forms must be completed accurately and timely.
2. Consequences of Error
Children could be at risk for proper care and supervision if a thorough assessment and
evaluation of the prospective placement family is not completed, thus jeopardizing a child’s self-esteem and adjustment, as well as the family’s functioning. Adequate representation to the court of the child’s progress in their adoptive placement is essential in deciding as to whether a child’s rights are upheld through the adoption process. Failure to insure a foster family meets all criteria for licensure could mean considerable liability to the county, should a child’s needs not be met. If determination for Social Services Block Grant services, State-Maternity Home funds, and Adoption Assistance is in error, potential payback by the county to the State and Federal Government is a possible consequence. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation or reports may negatively affect agency funding and possibly lead to sanctions against the agency.
3. Instructions Provided to Employee
Instructions are provided to the employee, both verbally and written, by the supervisor through scheduled conferences, at agency staff meetings, in Adoption Committee, in the agency’s foster care team reviews, at workshops, and in trainings offered by the agency and state as they are available and appropriate. Such instructions serve to provide guidance, clarifying information, and procedures essential to assure accuracy in the completion of job functions. These instructions may be in detail or in general, depending on the intensity needed.
4. Guides, Regulations, Policies, and References Used by the Employee
a. Volume 1, Children’s Services Manual – especially the chapters on Adoption and Permanency Planning.
b. Service Information System (SIS) Manual
c. North Carolina General Statutes applicable to Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoption
d. Social Work Code of Ethics
e. County and Agency Personnel Handbooks
f. Instructions from Director, Assistant Director, Program Administrator, Supervisor, and On-Call Consultants.
g. Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) manual
h. At-Risk Medicaid Manual
i. Emergency Assistance Manual
5. Supervision Received by the Employee
Employee receives review through scheduled conferences, meetings, informal interaction, reports and an annual performance appraisal. Review for timeliness, quality, and accuracy is also received through periodic, random case reviews by the supervisor, Children's Program Representatives, and the Biennial Child Welfare Review by State staff. To monitor employee effectiveness and skills, the supervisor participates in office and home visit interviews with the employee.
6. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts
The social worker has contact with unit staff other units within the agency, clients, Health
Department, other social services departments, Guardian ad Litem, Mental Health, medical personnel, crisis organizations, churches, civic organizations, judicial systems, law enforcement, emergency services personnel, and the general public. Contacts are often used as a means of assessing and assisting clients as part of the human services delivery system.
7. Physical Efforts
The social worker must be able to move within and outside the agency, climb stairs, and use office equipment described in #9 below on a frequent basis. The social worker occasionally lifts small children, cameras, suitcases, toys, car seats, etc. in the performance of duties. The social worker must travel to meetings and workshops in and outside county. Overnight stays are sometimes necessary.
8. Work Environment and Conditions
Work is performed in a county social services agency with contacts in the field. The social worker may encounter hostile clients, some of whom are dangerous. Clients may include those who are mentally ill, substance abusers, or those who are verbally abusive and threatening. Field contacts are sometimes required even in adverse weather conditions such as snow, sleet, and extreme heat. The social worker may be exposed to infectious diseases such as scabies, head lice, flu, HIV/AIDS, etc.
9. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment, and Materials Used
The social worker uses a personal computer, printer, scanner, iPad, copier, calculator, automobile, telephone, cell phone, and car seat to perform duties.
10. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration and Manipulative Skills
Body language, eye contact and behavior of client and family members require close visual attention to assist the worker during assessment of the adoptive child and prospective family's needs and monitoring progress toward transfer of rights through the adoption process. Determination of SSBG eligibility, State Maternity Home funds, At-Risk Medicaid benefits, Adoption Assistance Benefits, review of Pre-placement Assessments, pre-adoptive studies and manual materials, completion of court reports, and case review forms and driving a car also require close visual acuity. Intense mental concentration is required in all functions of this position as children's safety and well-being are at risk. The employee must carefully document times, dates and other factual information so that accurate assessments and recommendations are made. The employee must have physical dexterity required to efficiently operate machinery and tools outlined in #s 7 and 9 above.
11. Safety for Others
The employee makes decisions daily that affect the lives of children and insures their care, safety and well-being, as well as the functioning of a prospective placement family. Should a worker contact an infectious disease, head lice or scabies, these may be passed on to others. The worker abides by confidentiality guidelines to adhere to Adoption Statutes and protect clients. The employee uses caution when operating a motor vehicle and when transporting clients. See # 8 above for issues confronting the employee and unit for precautions.
12. Dynamics of Work
Work in this classification is periodically affected by changes in methodology, guidelines, and legislations, shifting program emphasis and agency policies and procedures. Such changes may impact the assessment of family functioning, necessitate changes in forms and the implementation of these forms, affect the approval or denial of prospective placement families, impact on the legal clearance of children for adoption and alters the outcome of court recommendations. These changes are apt to occur at any time and effect work with birth parents, prospective placement families and children.1. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to complex casework and community problems in order to effectively work with the wide cross section of clients and their presenting problems.
2. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques.
3. Considerable knowledge of developmental stages and tasks, human behavior, and socioeconomic problems and their treatment as the worker is responsible for identifying
children who are abused, neglected, or dependent, assessing the contributory factors and making recommendations for solutions to the identified problems.
4. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and other resources within the community.
5. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies which govern Child Protective Services.
6. General knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, administrative superiors, social, medical, legal, civic and religious organizations.
8. Ability to supervise, train or orient prospective adoptive and foster parents, lower-level employees, students or Interns.
9. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely — orally and in writing.
10. Ability to plan and execute work effectively.
11. Ability to operate an automobile.
12. Ability to use a personal computer and access the State Network.
13. Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with conflict situations and personalities.
14. Ability to function with a high level of autonomy.1. Required Minimum Training
Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative; Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and two years of directly related experience; Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.
2. License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
a. Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
b. Valid North Carolina driver’s license is required.
Completion of preservice training preferred.
Experience in Foster Care, Adoptions and court testimony preferred.
Salary : $53,374 - $85,952
Social Worker III
Beaufort County Department of Social Services -
Washington, NC
Social Worker III - QA
Johnston County -
Johnston, NC
