Social Worker III - Permanency Planning/Foster Care (Child Welfare)

Cabarrus County•Cabarrus County, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Performs intermediate professional social work providing case management services in a variety of programs including but not limited to permanency planning following established patterns of service and program requirements in the Department of Social Services. Work is performed and reviewed under the regular supervision of a Social Work Supervisor. This role involves managing an assigned caseload of children in foster care, conducting ongoing assessments of safety, risk, well-being, and permanency needs, and ensuring each child’s needs are appropriately addressed. The position requires regular communication with biological families and foster caregivers, facilitating and supervising family visitation, engaging families in services, and supporting reunification efforts. It also involves coordinating and monitoring services such as therapy, medical care, and educational supports, assisting caregivers with children's needs, and participating in team and school meetings. Developing, implementing, and updating case plans, ensuring timely documentation, preparing court reports, and attending court hearings are key responsibilities. The application review process begins immediately and continues until the position is filled, with hiring for this position ranging from $52,852.80 - $63,169.60.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to specific casework, group work, and community problems.
Considerable knowledge of federal and state laws, policies and procedures, program rules and quality assurance standards.
Considerable knowledge of behavioral and socioeconomic problems and their treatment.
Considerable knowledge of organizations and resources in the community.
Knowledge of medical terminology and disease processes and/or intellectual or developmental disability / programs and behavior management techniques.
Working knowledge of office equipment and computers and applicable software applications.
Ability to write clear, concise, and grammatically correct documentation, case records and service plans.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with persons of varied social, economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
Ability to understand a broad range of needs, total situation and the family dynamics in the assessment process.
Ability to make accurate assessments/evaluations and use analysis and judgment to develop and appropriate service/treatment plan.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families, a variety of medical and psychological professionals, law enforcement, court officials, attorneys, community agencies and the general public.
Ability to attend work regularly.
Must have valid NC driver's license.
Must have NC pre-service training or willing to attend.
Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work or; Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and one year of directly related experience or; Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of directly related experience or; Master’s in Social Work or Master’s in Human Services.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Must possess or attend and complete the required NC state child welfare pre-service training and in-service training for child welfare positions only.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in Child Welfare or just graduated with a Human Service Degree.
After hours is often required.
Prior work in Social Services preferred.
Strong knowledge of agency programs and community resources.
Knowledge and skills in the use of personal computer is a plus.
Bilingual English/Spanish is desirable.

Responsibilities

Interviewing clients and relatives to determine the scope of the challenges and the client's ability to manage or meet those challenges.
Performing assessments to identify needs.
Obtaining medical, financial and social history.
Developing service and/or treatment plans and monitoring service delivery for clients and/or families to address issues of medical, health, or behavioral issues.
Providing supportive/directive counseling to address problems such as adjustment to illness or disability, adult placement issues, financial concerns, and socialization.
Establishing eligibility for specific programs or services.
Preparing case summaries and reports.
Maintaining records, files and confidentiality.
Conducts the required number of contacts and/or home visits each month according to specific program requirements to assess the current situation and assure that services are being provided.
Explores alternative community resources and makes referrals to other programs, services and agencies.
Completes necessary documentation for reviews.
Provides supportive and/or budget counseling and education to clients, care givers, and families.
Provides a wide variety of services to alleviate crisis situations, enable families to be self-sufficient, and enable adults to remain in their homes.
Builds resource networks with community and state agencies.
Performs related tasks as required to potentially include but not limited to emergency shelter operations.
Manage an assigned caseload of children in foster care by conducting ongoing assessments of safety, risk, well-being, and permanency needs, ensuring each child’s needs are appropriately addressed.
Maintain regular communication with biological families and foster caregivers, facilitate and supervise family visitation, engage families in services, and support reunification efforts when appropriate.
Coordinate and monitor services including therapy, medical care, educational supports, and transportation; assist caregivers in understanding and responding to children’s behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs; and participate in Child and Family Team (CFT), treatment planning, and school meetings.
Develop, implement, and update case plans with input from all parties; ensure timely and accurate documentation in the case management system; prepare court and permanency planning reports; attend court hearings and provide testimony while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with legal and ethical standards.