Social Worker III - Adult Protective Services

Jackson County•15 Griffin Street -- Sylva, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position investigates reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and provides ongoing case management for substantiated adult protective services cases. The position also provides extensive ongoing case management for guardianships, payeeships, individual and family adjustment services, general intake, and community outreach services. 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 position requires on-call responsibilities after-hours, on weekends, and during holidays on an as needed/scheduled basis and will need 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 under stressful and sometimes dangerous situations.
Ability to employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and determine 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 safety issues in relation to risk factors.
Ability to analyze tense situations and make decisions.
Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.

Responsibilities

Investigating reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Providing ongoing case management for substantiated adult protective services cases.
Providing extensive ongoing case management for guardianships, payeeships, individual and family adjustment services, general intake, and community outreach services.
Investigating alleged adult neglect and abuse.
Substantiating 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, often under very stressful conditions.
Providing group, family, or individual treatment to clients of any age and with 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 with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse, or family problem, including abused, neglected, or homeless adults.
Conducting clinical and social investigations.
Assessing individuals and family dynamics.
Performing crisis intervention.
Making referrals for treatment and placement.
Providing expert testimony.
Exercising considerable judgment in determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred, to what extent, and how it occurred.
Selecting appropriate treatment requiring significant understanding of personalities based on assessments and interviews.
Following state and federal laws, program rules, directives, policies, and regulations, professional ethics, and quality assurance standards.
Planning work jointly with members of multidisciplinary teams, protective services committees, and supervisors.
Using legal precedents in some settings.
Assessing safety issues in relation to risk factors.
Analyzing tense situations and making decisions.
Communicating effectively and establishing supportive client relationships.