Social Worker III - Adult Home Specialist

Buncombe County•Asheville, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Buncombe County is hiring one (1) Adult Home Specialist. This individual will report to an Adult Services Supervisor who has a team of five (5). This team is part of the larger Adult Services Team of twenty-five (25) that includes Adult Protective Services social workers, Adult Case Management social workers, Adult Home Specialists, and an Age Friendly Coordinator. The primary purpose of this position to ensure the safety of aged and disabled adults residing in licensed adult and family care homes. This is done by completing regular monitoring of compliance with state regulations, investigating complaints, and issuing Corrective Action Reports when noncompliance is identified. Priority is given to individuals who have done social work within Adult Services or similar experience. This position will start in-person. Over time, a hybrid schedule will be allowed. The employee must reside within a two (2) hour drive from 40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, in order to be considered for the position. Anticipated start date for this position is Tuesday, September 8th, 2026, or earliest available. This position will be hired as a fully qualified Social Worker III or a Social Worker III Trainee depending on candidate qualifications. The Pay Range for a Social Worker III is $29.51 - $35.50 an hour The Base Pay for a Social Worker III Trainee is $25.77 an hour, until fully qualified. Salaries are calculated based on education and experience above minimum qualifications. As a Social Worker III Trainee, candidates will be hired with the expectation that to continue employment the selected candidate will successfully advance to a Social Worker III position once the employee is fully qualified. At that time the selected candidate will be promoted and compensated as a qualified Social Worker. The selected candidate for this position will be required to submit to a drug test. Please note that CBD or Delta-9 Hemp products may cause a positive drug test. Purpose of the position: The purpose of this position is to ensure safety of aged and disabled adults residing in adult and family care homes in compliance with state and federal statutes.

Requirements

Master's degree in Social Work; or a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and one (1) year of directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services and two (2) years directly related experience; or Bachelor’s degree in another field and three (3) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
A current, valid driver's license.
Thorough understanding and working knowledge of State and federal policy, agency procedures, Adult Services Standards and mandates for adult protective service practice and service delivery.
Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems.
Knowledge of basic community systems and resources, including physical and mental health services, adult services, substance abuse resources, domestic violence, housing, and other applicable areas.
Considerable knowledge of medical and psychological illnesses which impair an adult’s decision-making abilities.
Must be proficient in petitions requesting protective services, ex parte emergency and regular orders, guardianship petitions for the protection of aged and disabled adults and at providing expert testimony when needed in court cases.
Ability to prioritize, identify and assess risks, problems and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, have a history of trauma and may be resistant.
Able to identify and/or develop resources when none are known or available and to coordinate services for clients with multi-disciplinary professionals.
Skill in establishing constructive relationships with clients who may be resistant and utilizing person-centered SW practice

Nice To Haves

BSW and Social Work Collaborative Students preferred.
English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.
Priority is given to individuals who have done social work within Adult Services or similar experience.

Responsibilities

Investigate complaint allegations of rule violations in Adult and Family Care Homes according to General Statutes and policy guidelines.
Monitor rule compliance of Adult and Family Care Homes and report compliance or non-compliance to The Department of Health Services Regulation (DHSR).
Issue Corrective Action Reports to address non-compliance and monitor progress in resolution of deficient practice.
Consult with DHSR as needed to make decisions about Corrective Action Reports and Penalty Recommendations for deficient facilities.
Assist facility administrators and staff in problem solving to ensure resident safety
Establish rapport with facility staff, residents, family members, and appropriate professionals/non-professionals in the community to provide a strengths-based, person-centered approach in working with aged and disabled adults who reside in facilities.
Collaborate with professionals to include ombudsman, environmental health, emergency management, and other agencies during the rule monitoring process.
Collaborate as needed with peers and adult leadership in team and individual staffings.
Occasionally assist with on call coverage in adult and child service areas.
Assist as needed in other Adult Services program areas.
Perform other related duties as assigned.