Social Worker III - Adoptions

Gaston County Government • Gaston County Department of Social Services, NC

2d

About The Position

Joining the team at Gaston County Government means being part of a community that is dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. We are a dynamic organization that values innovation, collaboration, and commitment to service. As an employee of Gaston County, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community every day. Whether you are working in public safety, social services, or administration, your contributions will help improve the lives of our residents and build a better future for our county. Gaston Social Services: Protecting, caring for and empowering children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves through the administrating of federal, state and county programs focused on improving the well-being of our citizens.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• Master's degree in counseling or human services field and 1 year of directly related experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from an accredited institution and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only)
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from an accredited institution and 1 year of directly related experience.
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field and 2 years of directly related experience.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 3 year of directly related experience.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• A copy of a transcript must be included with the application. FAILURE TO ATTACH YOUR TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING REJECTED.
• The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment.
• In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2 (b) , if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI.
• These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of adoption laws and requirements
• Knowledge of foster home licensing requirements
• Knowledge of separation and loss issues
• Knowledge of child development

Responsibilities

• Providing numerous types of adoption services including: completion of Pre-Placement Assessments for agency, independent and relative adoptive families; completion of child profiles for children who have been cleared for adoption; complete relative and independent adoptions and post adoptive services including adoption subsidy.
• These services are provided through training, information gathering, performing background checks and completion of state paperwork.
• Adoption Services are provided to ensure a permanent home for a child.
• Capturing all data and reporting it accurately.
• Recruitment and retention of adoptive homes by providing training, education and support.
• Agency foster and adoptive homes are needed to provide safe, stable and permanent homes for children in the foster care system.
• Securing a safe and stable placement for a child in the adoption system.
• Matches are made by assessing the needs of the child and the strengths of the foster/adoptive parents in order to make the placement that would be in a child’s best interest.
• Attending court hearings and team meetings, attending local training for job enhancement, completing documentation in case records as well as monthly reports, court reports and participation in unit/team staffings.
• Attending adoption committee to identify prospective adoptive placements for legally cleared children.
• Provision of other program requirements (i.e. problem pregnancy cases, adoption, intermediary services, and support foster care workers in cases where the permanent plan is adoption by providing specialty services, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned that ensure teamwork and permanency for children.
• Must be available to work mandatory emergency shelters & other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity to all employees, job applicants, and members of the community we serve.
• Value diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
• Do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws.
• Will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

What This Job Offers

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