Social Worker III - Adult Social Work (SFA)

County of Mecklenburg, NC•Charlotte, NC

3d•$63,080 - $78,850

About The Position

The Social Worker III works with Mecklenburg County’s Services For Adults team to provide complex social work case management for Adult Protective Services, Guardianship, and Special Assistance In-Home. Under general supervision, this position provides community-based evaluation, case management, counseling, and referrals to adults and other clients facing concerns such as abuse, neglect, or exploitation; mental health and substance use disorders; poverty; unemployment; rehabilitation; social adjustment; housing; childcare; and medical care. The work involves direct intervention with adult clients, contact with collaterals and other professionals, and coordination with community resources. The role includes court-directed or agency-requested assessments; participation in cross-divisional consultations involving adults and transition-age youth; and assessing and coordinating services for adults with complex behavioral health, cognitive, trauma, treatment-adherence, or crisis-system needs. The Social Worker III also serves as a resource for advanced assessment, complex case planning, court preparation, difficult placements, financial exploitation, behavioral health, and cross-system navigation. The position requires comfort working at a rapid pace and handling legal interventions, medical and mental health crises, and in-home and community visits. Occasional evening and weekend work, including weekend home visits, may be required. The employee may also be required to work during emergencies or at emergency shelters. The usual work environment is an office setting with moderate noise.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: a Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited school of social work and three years of social work experience, a qualifying internship, or successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program; a bachelor’s degree in a related field with 15 hours of social work or counseling courses and four years of social work experience; 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.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience is not accepted.
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 in-home weekend visits.
Ability to work in rapid-paced, crisis, legal-intervention, in-home, and community settings.
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 county and community 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.
Abilities in adaptability, customer service, partnership-building, trust-building, care management, communication, decision-making, inspiring others, conflict management, and maintaining high work standards.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) or a closely related degree.
Previous Adult Social Work experience, including 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 communication skills, including the ability to discuss and present information in court and other settings.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn programs used by the Department.
Ability to travel in North Carolina in a county vehicle.
Organizational skills to set priorities and handle crises and emergencies without compromising deadlines.

Responsibilities

Assess the needs of individuals and families.
Interview clients and gather family, social, medical, employment, school, and other relevant information.
Determine clients’ eligibility for financial assistance and whether referrals are appropriate.
Discuss goals, expected outcomes, and approaches for achieving them with clients.
Help clients complete paperwork related to program eligibility, referrals, or job assistance.
Manage and maintain confidential client records, document services, prepare reports, and participate in team case conferences.
Refer clients to community resources, coordinate benefits and referrals, and help clients work with government agencies to apply for and receive benefits.
Develop and evaluate service plans with clients and follow up to assess the quantity and quality of services provided.
Transport clients to medical, job-related, or other appointments when appropriate.
Act as a liaison with staff and other agencies regarding referrals and client transitions.
Counsel and consult with individuals or families in a variety of settings; address behavior, 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 or arrange support services, including childcare, homemaker services, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, parenting classes, and behavioral health treatment.
Facilitate placements for adults commensurate with identified needs and evaluate personal characteristics and home conditions when assessing foster or adoptive homes.
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 severe or persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, cognitive impairment, trauma histories, treatment nonadherence, or repeated crisis-system use.
Provide expertise in 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 and assist during emergency situations when required.