Social Worker II - Adult Services

Buncombe County Government • Asheville, NC

2d • $26 - $31 • Hybrid

About The Position

Buncombe County Government is seeking a qualified Social Worker II to join our Adult Services division of our Health and Human Services department. The primary purpose of this position is to ensure the safety of aged and disabled adults in compliance with state and federal statutes regarding adult protective services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) from an appropriately accredited institution; OR bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one (1) year of directly related experience; OR bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two (2) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A current, valid driver's license.
• Knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application.
• Knowledge and understanding of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures that affect Protective Services.
• Thorough knowledge of agency and community resources.
• Ability to use highly specialized interviewing skills to assess risk and voluntarily engage client in a situation that is emotionally charged and stressful to all involved.
• Ability to ascertain facts and information without imposing or adding information during an interview.
• Knowledge of casework principles, crisis intervention, and impacts of family structure dynamics on individuals.
• Skill in working with other professionals from different disciplines who may view client/problems differently.
• Ability to meet a client where they are and work with them to achieve their goal and support a client’s right to self-determination.
• Ability to be flexible and maintain a calm exterior in the face of crisis, change and/or stress.
• Ability to orchestrate community services and to create resources where none are readily available.
• Ability to identify and prioritize problems under stress.
• Skill in crisis interviewing and counseling to allow worker to take charge, diffuse and manage the crisis.
• Ability to accurately observe human behavior and environmental condition, processing collected data in order to effectively recommend and implement a sound course of action in a minimal period of time, relying on self as a major resource, while operating in an isolated and stressful environment; and acting appropriately and effectively on the acquired information.

Nice To Haves

• English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

Responsibilities

• Hold primary case responsibility for the SSBG and HCCBG In-Home Aide Programs, including case management activities and service monitoring on SSBG cases, Service Monitoring on HCCBG cases, and management of the In-Home Aide Inquiry List.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between Buncombe County and contracted In-Home Aide Agencies regarding specific issues with service provision.
• Hold primary case responsibility for the Adult Daycare and Day Health program, including case management activities and service monitoring via the contracted Daycare/Day Health agency.
• Complete intake assessments on all new Special Assistance In-Home program applications, including initial assessment home visits, approval or denial of the application, and assisting the client with procuring FL2’s from client’s physicians.
• Hold shared responsibility with the Adult Case Management Unit for Placement cases, assisting adults in locating appropriate placement via placement referrals from the intake unit.
• Hold shared responsibility with the Adult Case Management Unit for case management activities for the Buncombe County Outreach Program.
• Hold shared responsibility with the Adult Case Management Unit for responding to service inquiry questions that require answers specific to the programs that they are responsible for.
• Assess clients for any medical, educational, social, and placement needs as well as other services for eligible clients, and link clients with Agency and community resources.
• Conduct interviews and complete required documentation regarding cases.
• Gather information to determine how best to meet the needs of the client and to remediate risk factors for abuse and neglect.
• Evaluate available information to determine the appropriateness for intervention and level of services required.
• Assess the degree of risk to assure appropriate level and timeliness of intervention.
• Research information to assess risk, determine service needs, and establish case history and eligibility.
• Receive referrals and advise clients/referral source of the scope/nature of services.
• Identify, explore, and utilize community resources for the purpose of coordinating unmet client needs.
• Maintain current knowledge of resources available from public and private agencies to assist clients with problems and work closely to facilitate connection to such services.
• Determine eligibility and assist clients with applications for adult day services and placement, Special Assistance In-home, in-home aide, and assist with the disposition of unclaimed bodies.
• Work closely with Medicaid eligibility workers throughout the Special Assistance In-home case to continuing assessing eligibility for program.
• Report any concerns of abuse or neglect to supervisor immediately.
• Gather information for the purpose of documenting unmet needs and advocate to address unmet service needs.
• Arrange for and facilitate transportation as needed.
• Demonstrate a commitment to culturally competent practice.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• In-office, hybrid, and remote positions available.
• Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level