Social Worker III IA&T - Child Welfare CPS & On-Call

Chatham, County of•Pittsboro, NC

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

This vital role serves as the first point of contact for Child Protective Services (CPS) reports during after-hours, working closely with a supportive team to ensure child safety and well-being. The position offers a unique weekday schedule—Monday through Friday, starting at 4:00 PM—and requires flexibility to work evenings, overnights, and holidays as scheduled. This position is the primary on-call Social Worker for the Family Services division. The normal workday is Monday through Friday, beginning at 4:00 PM, and requires the ability to work evenings, overnight, and holidays as scheduled. This position takes CPS reports of suspected abuse, neglect, and/or dependency and screens them with the supervisor on-call and initiates the assessment/investigation as needed. This position is a member of a team within the Child Welfare Unit handling APS and CPS intake services, courtesies from other counties and states, and prevention services. This position covers a variety of assignments including but not limited to assisting with timely initiation of CPS reports, conducting home visits, handling overflow from the CPS Assessment & Courtesy team, and providing assistance to the child welfare unit overall. This position works in partnership with community agencies to assist families in addressing identified safety issues.

Requirements

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 (one year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative); 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 service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Considerable knowledge of child welfare practice and policy including abuse, neglect, and dependency, intake policy, and how to conduct comprehensive assessments and investigations
Strong ability to multi-task
Ability to prioritize work assignments and to be flexible with scheduling as needed
Ability to quickly and competently assess the risks and safety of the home environment, employ negotiation skills in complex situations, and de-escalate emotional and tense situations
Ability to work independently and manage day-to-day tasks
Ability to work an alternate schedule of early afternoon through the evening hours with the ability to work overnight as needed (occasional weekend and holiday work will be required)
Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community and system issues
Knowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral, and/or psychosocial problems that families may be experiencing
Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques, laws, regulations, and policies that govern the program
Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources within the community
Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for court
Ability to competently testify in court as needed
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from varying cultures and backgrounds via phone and through personal contact and provide equitable treatment to all
Ability to manage conflict, remain neutral and fair, engage people and build trust, and promote collaboration and consensus
Ability to use best practices, strategies, professional judgment, and time management skills in complex situations
Ability to plan and coordinate with both internal and external parties
Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions
Ability to be flexible and to work as a team player
Ability to demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills
Ability to demonstrate good public relations skills
Skill in operating standard office equipment such as computers, phones, fax machines, and scanners
Ability to perform work using local and state technology systems including NCFAST, CWIS, Northwoods, iiReception, Microsoft Office, internet browsers, virtual meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and other commonly used electronic programs
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, department heads, peers, associates, and the general public
Must be fingerprinted and successfully pass a Criminal History Record Check with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (NCSBI)
Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license
Must complete all applicable required training including Confidentiality, Civil Rights, FEMA and Red Cross Shelter Training, Bloodborne Pathogens, applicable adult services program training, new employee orientation, and Chatham County Department of Social Services Policy and Procedures

Nice To Haves

Two professional references with at least one from a current or previous supervisor is required.

Responsibilities

Utilizes interviewing skills to capture all required information for CPS reports per NC DHHS policy (may also take APS reports)
Utilizes policy and procedure and screening tools to make screening recommendations to the secondary screener
Receives and processes requests for assistance from other counties and states
Develops Plans of Safe Care per policy when reported by hospital personnel
Keeps track of case activities utilizing Excel spreadsheets and other reporting requirements
Initiates CPS assessments and investigations within assigned timeframes and per NC DHHS policy
Enters all required initiation documentation into CWIS within the required timeframes in order to transition to the assigned CPS Assessment Social Worker at the beginning of the next workday or to the originating county, as requested
Conducts home visits to monitor the safety of children in their homes and conducts assessments that accurately reflect the strengths and needs of the family system
Assesses the safety of children and risk of continued harm
Makes decisions in consultation with supervisor regarding the need to remove children from their home due to immediate safety concerns, makes and carries out the plan to safely remove the child(ren)
Provides assistance to other social workers within the division (after-hours visits, appointments, contacts, etc.)
Works in conjunction with supervisor and agency child welfare attorney to gather needed information to file petitions of abuse, neglect, and/or dependency and to prepare for court proceedings
Prepares court reports, participates in associated court proceedings, and testifies in court as needed
Thorough and timely documentation of assessment tools and case activities in the record per local and state policy and required timeframes
Participates in the on-call rotation for Children’s Services
Participates in shelter operations or other weather-related incidents as needed
Performs other duties as assigned