Social Worker III - Adult Social Work (SFA)

Mecklenburg County•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Social Worker III provides complex, community-based social work case management for Adult Protective Services, Guardianship, and Special Assistance In-Home. Under general supervision, the role evaluates client needs, provides case management and counseling, and coordinates referrals and services. The work includes direct intervention with adult clients, contact with collaterals and community resources, and collaboration with other professionals and county divisions. The position conducts assessments and coordinates services for adults with complex needs, including severe or persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, cognitive impairment, trauma histories, treatment nonadherence, or repeated crisis-system use. The Social Worker III may also serve as a resource on advanced assessment, complex case planning, court preparation, difficult placement, financial exploitation, behavioral health, and cross-system navigation. The role involves a rapid pace, legal interventions, crisis situations, and in-home and community visits. The employee must be available for occasional evening and weekend work, including weekend in-home visits, and may be required to work during emergencies or at emergency shelters. The position is based in an office setting with moderate noise, alongside community-based work and travel in a county vehicle.

Requirements

Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited school of social work and three years of social work experience; or a qualifying internship; or successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program; or a bachelor's degree in a related field with 15 hours of social work or counseling courses and four years of social work experience; or a master's degree from an accredited school of social work; or a master's degree in a related field with three years of social work experience.
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina driver's license.
County driving privileges.
Proficiency in applicable computer programs.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, including weekend in-home visits.
Ability to travel in North Carolina in a county vehicle.
Ability to manage a rapid pace, legal interventions, crisis situations, and in-home and community visits.
Knowledge of general social work principles, available resources, social services procedures and methods, relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations, case management methods, and local public and private community-based services.
Skills in prioritizing work, managing multiple tasks, maintaining confidential records, evaluating records for accreditation standards, using computers and related software, and exercising judgment and discretion.
Demonstrated abilities in adaptability, customer service, partnership building, trust building, care management, communication, decision-making, inspiring others, conflict management, and maintaining work standards.

Nice To Haves

Master’s in Social Work (MSW) or a closely related degree.
Previous adult social work experience, particularly Adult Protective Services, Adult Guardianship, or Special Assistance In-Home.
At least two years of recent experience working directly with adults diagnosed with mental illness and knowledge of North Carolina services and resources for people with mental illness.
At least two years of recent social work experience with adults with dementia and knowledge of North Carolina services and resources for people with dementia.
Excellent written and verbal skills for discussing and presenting information in settings including court.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn department programs.
Organizational skills to set priorities while flexibly handling crises and emergencies without compromising deadlines.

Responsibilities

Provide community-based evaluation, case management, counseling, and referrals to clients.
Assess the needs of individuals and families, and interview clients to obtain family, social, and medical information and other relevant records.
Determine eligibility for financial assistance and whether referrals are appropriate.
Discuss goals, expected outcomes, and ways to achieve them with clients.
Assist clients with paperwork related to program eligibility, referrals, and job assistance.
Maintain records and service histories, document services provided, and prepare reports.
Refer clients to community resources, coordinate benefits and referrals, and help clients apply for and receive government benefits.
Develop and evaluate service plans in consultation with clients and follow up to assess the quantity and quality of services provided.
Transport clients to appointments when appropriate.
Participate in team case conferences and liaise with staff regarding referrals and client transitions.
Counsel and consult with individuals and families in a variety of settings, address behavioral concerns, arrange services, and assess problems.
Address legal issues, evaluate the need for protective services, assist with hearings, and provide testimony to inform custody arrangements.
Provide, locate, or arrange support services such as childcare, homemaker services, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, parenting classes, and behavioral health treatment.
Facilitate appropriate placements for adults based on identified needs and evaluate foster-home or adoption applicants when applicable.
Conduct court-directed or agency-requested assessments.
Participate in Youth and Family Services referral staffing and cross-divisional consultations involving adults and transition-age youth.
Assess and coordinate services for adults with complex behavioral health, cognitive, trauma-related, and crisis-system needs.
Serve as a resource on advanced assessment, complex case planning, court preparation, difficult placement, financial exploitation, behavioral health, and cross-system navigation.
Make in-home and community visits, including occasional weekend visits.
Staff shelters in the event of a disaster when required.
Work during emergency situations or at emergency shelters when required.