Social Worker IAT - Investigations

Jackson County•15 Griffin Street -- Sylva, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position investigates reports of child abuse and neglect and provides services to families where needs have been identified. Requires some availability after hours. The Social Worker is scheduled to operate from the office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the worker is assigned to cover any emergency arising during this time. This worker may be required to provide on-call after-hours duties as needed to respond to emergencies received by law enforcement departments in the county. The Social Worker may vary the work schedule to accommodate the individual needs of the clients.

Requirements

A 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 services field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.
Possession of a valid, State of North Carolina driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
Knowledge of social work theory, techniques and practices, individual and group behavior, social problems, medical and mental illness, family dynamics, coping behavior, crisis intervention, and treatment of various medical and mental diseases and social issues.
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.
Ability to make decisions that affect children and their families and are often made under stressful and sometimes dangerous situations.
Ability to 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.

Responsibilities

Investigation of alleged neglect and abuse, substantiation of the alleged neglect or abuse as prescribed by federal and state guidelines.
Providing expert testimony in court hearings.
Following-up with case management and preventive services for clients.
Analyzing situations and determining appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions.
Providing group, family or individual treatment to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problem.
Managing a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases.
Providing treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients of any age and/or with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problem including abused, neglected or homeless children.
Clinical and social investigation, assessment of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement in foster care or residential facilities.
Providing expert testimony.
Exercising considerable judgment in determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred, to what extent and how it occurred.
Selecting appropriate treatment for the family and clients based on assessments and interviews.
Following state and federal laws, program rules, directives, policies and regulations, professional ethics and quality assurance standards.
Work is jointly planned with members of multidisciplinary teams or protective services committees and supervisors.
Making assessments, interviews and service treatment decisions that affect the safety and well being of children in abuse and neglect situations.
Communicating effectively and establishing supportive client relationships.