CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL WORKER - FORENSICS UNIT- 40009332, 40009330

Durham County•Durham, NC

3d•$66,016 - $89,083•Onsite

About The Position

Investigative Child Welfare Social Workers provide specialized forensic child welfare services for the agency’s most complex cases involving allegations and/or substantiated concerns of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and other severe forms of child maltreatment, as defined by the General Statutes of North Carolina. This role involves conducting comprehensive assessments of child safety, family strengths and needs, and family support systems. The social worker will utilize specialized forensic interviewing techniques, child welfare best practices, critical thinking, and professional judgment when assessing allegations and determining the safety and well-being of children. This position also requires coordination and collaboration with multidisciplinary community partners involved in complex child abuse investigations, including medical providers and law enforcement. The role includes preparing court summaries and participating in associated court proceedings. The social worker must demonstrate the ability to integrate child welfare policy, forensic investigative practices, child development, crisis intervention, and legal requirements when making decisions in complex and high-risk situations. Knowledge of child welfare policies and practices (including but not limited to social work investigation, crisis intervention and family functioning and child development) is essential, as is the ability to integrate this knowledge and skill in judicial and other legal proceedings.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children.
Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law
Thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
Ability to interact and motivate a resistant involuntary client population and the public who may not agree with the laws, rules or policies of the process or the programs.
Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for the court, case records and treatment plans.
Ability to testify as an expert witness, employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services.
Ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client environment during daylight hours, after dark and in high crime areas.
Ability to employ expert negotiation skills in the most complex cases.
Ability to analyze and assess child development safety issues in relation to risk factors.
Ability to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information and limited access to consultation.
Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.
Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or Master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; or graduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Requires a valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable three -year driving record and a vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual skills

Responsibilities

Conducts comprehensive assessments of child safety, family strengths and needs, and family support systems.
Utilizes specialized forensic interviewing techniques, child welfare best practices, critical thinking, and professional judgment when assessing allegations and determining the safety and well-being of children.
Coordinates and collaborates with multidisciplinary community partners involved in complex child abuse investigations, including medical providers and law enforcement and other identified community partners.
Prepares court summaries and participates in associated court proceedings.
Demonstrates the ability to integrate child welfare policy, forensic investigative practices, child development, crisis intervention, and legal requirements when making decisions in complex and high-risk situations.