Child Welfare Specialist II (After-hours/Third Shift)

County of Mecklenburg, NC•Charlotte, NC

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth and Family Services Division (YFS) of the Department of Social Services (DSS) provides services to safeguard children by strengthening families whose children’s health, safety, and well-being are at risk. The mission of DSS is to strengthen families and communities through a safety-net of services, collaborations, and hope. The Department’s vision is to define and cultivate an organizational culture that is more compassionate and understanding toward each other and our clients. YFS believes that trained, skillful professionals are essential to effectively assist children and families. This Child Welfare Specialist II position provides community-based services to individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including child abuse, neglect, dependency, delinquency, and adoption. Children and family needs addressed include mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, housing, childcare, or medical care and other life domains. Under general supervision, this role is responsible for providing evaluation, case management, counseling, formal and informal comprehensive assessments, and referral services to assist in meeting the needs of children and families. Incumbents will also manage the CARES Line (Child Protective Services Hotline), process CPS Intake Referrals, and screen referrals for potential child abuse, neglect, and dependency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work AND two years of social work experience; qualifying internship; or successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program
OR Master’s in social work
OR Bachelor’s degree in related major AND two years of social work experience
OR Master’s degree in related major AND two years of social work experience
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
County Driving Privileges
Annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check required
Candidate must obtain fingerprint clearance to access the KBCOP database within 90 days of hire
Intermediate knowledge of social services procedures, practices, and methods
Knowledge of work principles and available resources
Social services procedures, practices, and methods
Social services related federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance, and social welfare
Case management methods and techniques
Services offered by the county and other local public and private community based service agencies
Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met
Exercising judgment and discretion
Maintaining various confidential records
Managing and executing multiple tasks
Possessing strong communication skills
Prioritizing work
Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
Building Customer Loyalty: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty
Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals
Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
Care Management: Having the knowledge and skills to secure relevant patient care data and identify key issues and relationships in the management of patient care; understanding the relationships among assessments, interventions, and patient responses; skilled in documentation of assessments and adjusting physical and cognitive prescriptions as needed
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs
Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences
Inspiring Others: Using interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals toward higher levels of performance
Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people
Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed
Intermediate in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Nice To Haves

Master's degree
Bilingual applicants with (Spanish and English) proficiency

Responsibilities

Receives reports from the community of suspected child abuse, neglect, and dependence
Screens reports to determine if Child Protective Services (CPS) has legal authority to conduct an assessment
Assigns a response time in which CPS must begin the assessment for an accepted report
Assess needs of individuals and/or families; and provide counseling and services in both individual and group settings and discuss goals, expected outcomes and means with which to meet goals and expected outcomes to include the development of Family Service Agreement
Assist clients in the completion of required paperwork for items that may determine program eligibility, referrals, or provide job assistance, such as job application
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs
Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply
Provide, find, or arrange for support services, such as childcare, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes, to prevent more serious problems from developing
Determine clients' eligibility for sponsored programs and financial assistance; and ensure timely benefits and referrals to other agencies, whether internal or community based
Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions
Monitor residential facilities for compliance with licensure standards, provide technical assistance, investigate complaints against licensed facilities
Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports
Manage records and documentation of services provided and maintain history records
Complete court reports and testify in juvenile and adult court hearings
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients
Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, medical and behavioral health providers, and other contacts, to help children and adults who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, inability to meet daily functional needs or poverty
May be required to work varying shifts to include evening and weekends
May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster