Social Worker I

Craven County•New Bern, NC

About The Position

This position involves beginning level of social work and the provision of direct casework services to a caseload of families with children. The position is part of the Income Maintenance Division whose primary function is to take and process assistance applications, re-determine eligibility and process and react to any changes in the client’s situation. The Income Maintenance Team is comprised of six distinct units: Food and Nutrition Services, Adult Medicaid – PLA, Family and Children's Medicaid, Medicaid Transportation, Long Term Care/ SA/CAP and Day Care. Although Income Maintenance Caseworkers and Social Workers are assigned to a specific team at any given moment the worker may be asked to work in a unit to which they are not currently assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; OR Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Directly related experience is defined as human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social therapy and treatment planning.
Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license; any restrictions on North Carolina’s driver's license must not prohibit the performance of the essential functions of the position.
General knowledge of basic social work principles, techniques and practices.
General knowledge of human behavior and family dynamics.
Some knowledge of social systems and laws related to the job.
Ability to communicate with clarity both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, management and community.
Ability to organize and prioritize own work.
Ability to exercise mature judgment.
Skills of interviewing, client assessment, crisis intervention, problem solving, mediation and advocacy.
Ability to legally operate an automobile required for performance of job duties.
Ability to operate in a complex and at times troublesome automated case management system (NC FAST).

Nice To Haves

Other appropriate combinations of education and experience will be considered for trainee status.

Responsibilities

Provide direct casework services to a caseload of families with children.
Assess need and assist eligible families with securing the most appropriate child care arrangement available.
Act as a liaison between day care staff and parents when problems arise.
Provide less difficult casework consultation and services to families receiving day care.
Interview and initiate clients into the service delivery system.
Perform case planning, supportive counseling, case management, and information and referral.
Determine whether the selected child care provider is an enrolled provider and may assist the provider in the enrollment procedure.
Assist the Family Services supervisor managing all day care records, reimbursement reports and other related paperwork.
Serve as liaison between Income Maintenance, the social workers, and child care provider.
Operate in the NC FAST system as it relates to determining eligibility and documenting case notes related to case management, assessment, evaluation and eligibility job duties.
Adhere to other duties assigned by the Daycare Coordinator, Income Maintenance Administrator and/or Director at their discretion.
Assist in disaster relief efforts that includes but is not limited to shelter duty.
Fulfill duties when instructed for emergency shelter duty during times of potentially dangerous or manmade disasters.