Social Worker (Protective Services After Hours - zone 4)

New Hanover County•New Hanover County, NC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

New Hanover County is seeking a qualified Social Worker to join the after-hours Protective Services unit. This role involves performing social work functions for Adult and Children's Protective Services during agency closure. Key responsibilities include receiving and screening reports of alleged abuse and neglect, initiating investigations for immediate response reports, assessing risk to victims, developing safety plans, securing custody orders and involuntary commitments, and testifying in court. The position requires significant fieldwork (90%) in homes, court, and the community, and the ability to lift and carry a child. This is a teleworking position, ideal for a self-starter with strong technology skills. The work schedule involves a 14-day rotation with alternating workdays and days off, totaling 84 hours per 2-week pay period, with every other weekend off. Some holiday coverage and occasional work outside scheduled hours for training or meetings may be required. Candidates must be able to respond to crisis situations within New Hanover County within 60 minutes and be available during emergencies.

Requirements

MSW from an accredited school; OR BSW from an accredited school of social work and 1 year of related social work experience; OR a four-year degree in a human services field with at least 15 semester hours in courses related to social work and 2 years of related social work experience; OR a four-year degree and 3 years of related social work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid Driver's license, good driving record, and own transportation.
Ability to prioritize workload and maintain administrative duties while balancing field work.
Ability to identify and assess risk, address safety issues, & problem-solve with families to create solutions.
Ability to make connections with families and support family-centered principles.
Ability to make decisions without regard to personal prejudices, biases, and experiences and respect the value of individual differences at all levels of the organization.
Ability to think critically during conflict and high-stress situations and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with peers, colleagues, managers, providers, the community and other professionals.
Thorough knowledge of agency procedures and resources, community systems and resources, manual material, state and federal regulations, permanency planning philosophy, and laws governing protective services for children.
Knowledge of basic criminal justice procedures, elements of medical and mental disorders, personality theory, family systems dynamics, interpersonal relations, and cultural differences, values and lifestyles.
Firmly adhere to codes of conduct and ethical principles.
Ability to navigate technology and quickly learn new and complex systems.
Valid North Carolina Driver’s License required by first date of employment with good driving record.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

Performing social work functions for Adult and Children's Protective Services during agency closure.
Receiving and screening all reports of alleged abuse and neglect.
Initiating investigations of all immediate response reports.
Prioritizing, investigating, or coordinating services for other incoming reports.
Independently assessing the risk of victims.
Developing and implementing safety plans.
Securing and filing custody orders and involuntary commitments.
Testifying in court proceedings.
Performing 90% of fieldwork in homes, court, and the community.
Lifting and carrying a child.
Responding to crisis situations within New Hanover County within 60 minutes of notice.
Being available to work during emergency situations.
Working on a 14-day rotation: 2 consecutive workdays followed by 3 days off, then 3 consecutive workdays followed by 2 days off during agency closure.
Working 7 days per 2 week pay period, totaling 84 hours.
Having every other weekend off.
Working on occasion during non-scheduled work hours for training, court, or meeting purposes.
Providing some holiday coverage.