SOCIAL WORKER I A&T-Foster Home Licensing & Adoption

Granville County•Granville County, NC

About The Position

The Social Worker – IA&T conducts front-end Child Protective Services investigations and assessments and provides short-term in-home treatment services to address safety threats, reduce risk, and stabilize families. The position manages a moderately complex caseload involving significant fieldwork, time-sensitive decisions, and use of Multiple Response System (MRS) and Structured Decision Making (SDM) tools. It works with law enforcement, schools, medical and behavioral health providers, courts, and community partners, and participates in an after-hours on-call rotation with other Social Workers. A hybrid or remote schedule may be available after successful completion of one year of employment. The role includes investigating and assessing suspected child maltreatment; developing and monitoring safety plans; providing short-term case management and arranging services; maintaining case records; preparing court documents and testimony; facilitating family and multidisciplinary meetings; coordinating cross-reports and services; and meeting quality and timeliness standards. The Social Worker applies field-safety and de-escalation practices, protects confidential information, and uses trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches. The position requires thorough knowledge of social work practice, applicable policies and laws, family dynamics, and community resources. It calls for sound assessment and case-management skills, effective communication and negotiation, the ability to work with resistant clients and make decisions in tense situations, and the ability to prepare reports and testify in court. A valid driver’s license and good driving record are required.

Requirements

Meet one of the stated education and experience combinations: a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; a master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; 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 involving case work, group work, or community organization.
An equivalent combination of training and experience may qualify.
One year of work experience may be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Ability to perform manual work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of child abuse or neglect.
Knowledge of policies and procedures and ability to cite applicable federal and state law.
Knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral, or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
Knowledge of government and private community organizations and resources.
Ability to interact with and motivate resistant involuntary clients and members of the public who may disagree with applicable laws, rules, policies, or programs.
Ability to prepare investigative reports, case records, treatment plans, and court documentation, and to testify as an expert witness.
Ability to use advanced case-management interview techniques to establish supportive relationships and involve families in assessing service needs.
Ability to assess client-environment risks and safety during daylight, after dark, and in high-crime areas.
Ability to use negotiation skills in complex cases; assess child development and safety issues in relation to risk factors; and analyze tense family situations, including decisions about removing children when information or consultation is limited.
Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.

Responsibilities

Conduct timely face-to-face contacts, interviews, collateral checks, and safety and risk assessments with children and caregivers.
Determine maltreatment findings, identify safety threats and caregiver protective capacities, and develop and monitor safety plans.
Prioritize investigations according to policy, including immediate, 24-hour, and 72-hour response timelines; escalate emergencies and coordinate joint responses as needed.
Provide short-term in-home case management focused on addressing safety threats and supporting behavioral change; develop Family Service Agreements with measurable goals.
Arrange, monitor, and evaluate services, including behavioral health, parenting, substance-use treatment, and domestic-violence supports.
Maintain accurate and timely case documentation in the state child welfare case system, including NC FAST/NC PATH, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Prepare court affidavits, petitions, reports, and other required documentation; coordinate with the County Attorney and provide court testimony.
Facilitate and participate in Child and Family Team, MDT, and case-staffing meetings; support family time, visitation, and concurrent planning when applicable.
Complete required cross-reports to law enforcement, the District Attorney, licensing bodies, and other agencies; coordinate services across jurisdictions as needed.
Apply field-safety and de-escalation techniques, plan safe client visits, and comply with PPE and agency safety protocols.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, while applying trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.
Meet timeliness and quality standards for contacts, SDM tools, and documentation; participate in quality-assurance reviews and implement corrective actions as needed.
Remain current on child welfare policies and procedures and apply updates to daily casework.
Participate in an after-hours on-call rotation with other Social Workers.