Social Worker III IA&T - In Home/Foster Care

Chatham, County of • Pittsboro, NC

8h • Onsite

About The Position

This position operates within the child welfare unit and provides In-Home and Foster Care social work services to monitor and maintain the safety of children when neglect or abuse has been identified. The social worker conducts assessments to identify family strengths and needs and evaluate the risk of continued harm to children. The role works to strengthen families’ capacity to protect and nurture children and connects them with community services.

The position involves home visits, coordination of services for children in foster care, collaboration with families and community partners, case planning, documentation, and court-related work. The worker participates in an on-call rotation for children’s services and may assist with shelter operations or other weather-related incidents as needed. Work settings include the Department of Social Services, referral and resource agencies, and individuals’ homes. Home visits may involve crowded or unsanitary dwellings, inadequate lighting or access, pests, traffic hazards, and adverse weather.

The position requires a valid North Carolina driver’s license and successful completion of fingerprinting and a criminal history record check. The employee must complete applicable required training, including confidentiality, civil rights, FEMA and Red Cross shelter training, bloodborne pathogens, program training, new employee orientation, and department policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Qualifying education and experience: 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 (one year of work experience may be credited for completion of the social work collaborative); or a 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 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.
• Understanding of trauma and its impact on children and families involved with the child welfare system.
• Ability to manage conflict, remain neutral and fair, engage people, build trust, and promote collaboration and consensus.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize assignments, and adapt scheduling as needed.
• Ability to assess home safety and risk, negotiate in complex situations, and de-escalate emotional or tense situations.
• Ability to work independently and manage day-to-day tasks.
• Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to complex casework, group work, community issues, and systems issues.
• Knowledge of medical, behavioral, and psychosocial problems children and families may experience.
• Knowledge of family and group dynamics, intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, community resources, and applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive court reports and testify competently in court as needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively and provide equitable treatment to people from varying cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to apply best practices, professional judgment, and time-management skills in complex situations.
• Ability to plan and coordinate with internal and external parties, deal tactfully with others, and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to work flexibly as a team player and demonstrate strong verbal and written communication, critical thinking, listening, and public relations skills.
• Skill in operating standard office equipment, including computers, phones, fax machines, and scanners.
• Ability to use 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, court partners, colleagues, associates, and the public.
• Must be fingerprinted and successfully pass a Criminal History Record Check with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations.
• Must possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• Must complete 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 policies and procedures.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle and perform fieldwork.

Responsibilities

• Monitor child safety in homes where neglect or abuse has been identified and assess family strengths and needs.
• Assess children’s safety and the risk of continued harm.
• Engage parents and families in case planning and guide them toward safety and permanence for their children.
• Help families strengthen their ability to protect and nurture children, including through referrals to community resources.
• Conduct face-to-face home visits with children, placement providers, and families in accordance with North Carolina DHHS policies.
• Coordinate medical, dental, educational, mental health, and psychiatric services for children in foster care.
• Facilitate shared parenting with placement providers and family time between children, parents, and siblings.
• Participate in Child and Family Team and Permanency Planning review meetings.
• Collaborate with parents, the Guardian ad Litem program, foster and relative placement providers, treatment providers, and attorneys on case planning.
• Develop comprehensive family services agreements outlining activities required to safely maintain children in or return them to the home.
• Attend and participate in child planning conferences.
• Prepare comprehensive court reports with recommended permanency plans, participate in court proceedings, and testify as needed.
• Document case activities thoroughly and accurately in accordance with local and state policies and required timeframes.
• Participate in the on-call rotation for children’s services.
• Participate in shelter operations or other weather-related incidents as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The posting describes a collaborative team environment, work-life balance, and an emphasis on employee wellness and mental health, but does not specify individual benefit offerings.

What This Job Offers

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