Social Worker III IA&T – CQI Social Worker

Chatham, County of•Pittsboro, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the child welfare unit of the Family Services division of the Department of Social Services. Its primary purpose is to work with leadership and the CQI team to provide continuous quality improvement and quality assurance activities for child and family services. The position also trains and assists social work staff, supports supervisors with training and orienting new employees, and facilitates Child and Family Team meetings. The role conducts case-record reviews, tracks and reviews data, identifies practice trends and improvement needs, supports program monitoring and audits, and provides feedback to management. It also provides backup for unit functions, including intake, CPS reports, in-home and permanency planning teams, and on-call shifts. The position requires documentation in accordance with local and state policies and timeframes, participation in the Children’s Services on-call rotation, and participation in 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, poor lighting, limited accessibility, pests, traffic hazards, and adverse weather. The work is generally performed in a moderately noisy business-office environment and includes fieldwork; the employee must be able to operate a vehicle.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience qualifications: a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience (one year of experience may be credited for completion of the social work collaborative); a master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; graduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling, or a related human service field involving 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, dependency, CPS intake and assessments, in-home services, and permanency planning.
Ability to work independently, manage day-to-day tasks, prioritize assignments, and adapt schedules as needed.
Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask and manage multiple projects.
Excellent computer skills and ability to learn, test, navigate, and troubleshoot information systems.
Ability to explain and relate to information systems from both front-end user and programmer/developer perspectives.
Skill in Microsoft Excel and ability to track data and trends.
Ability to learn and use technology, databases, and state systems such as AOC, the client services data warehouse, E-Courts, Lexis Nexis, and Child Welfare Assist.
Ability to train individuals and groups in one-to-one, small-group, and large-group settings.
Considerable understanding of quality assurance and continuous quality improvement approaches and practices.
Attention to detail and ability to spend extended periods using a computer, reviewing records, and performing repetitive tasks.
Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to complex casework, group work, community issues, and system issues.
Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics, intervention techniques, organizations and community resources, and governing laws, regulations, and policies.
Ability to prepare written documentation, including case-planning notes and quality assurance activity summaries.
Ability to communicate effectively and provide equitable treatment to people from varying cultures and backgrounds by phone and in person.
Ability to manage conflict, remain neutral and fair, build trust, and promote collaboration and consensus.
Ability to apply best practices, strategies, professional judgment, and time-management skills in complex situations.
Ability to plan and coordinate with internal and external parties, deal tactfully with others, and use good judgment in assessing situations and making decisions.
Ability to be flexible and work as a team player.
Excellent verbal, written, and listening skills; critical-thinking skills; and public-relations skills.
Skill in operating standard office equipment, including computers, phones, fax machines, and scanners.
Ability to work proficiently with local and state technology systems, including NCFAST, PATH NC, Northwoods, iiReception, Microsoft Office, internet browsers, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other commonly used electronic programs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, department heads, peers, associates, and the general public.
Possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
Complete all 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.
Be able to operate a vehicle and perform fieldwork.
Meet the stated physical requirements, including occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds and the ability to sit, speak, hear, perform repetitive motions, and carry out other occasional physical activities.

Responsibilities

Provide training and orientation to new social workers, particularly on policies and procedures for their assigned roles and program areas.
Develop and deliver ongoing training and work sessions on best practices, child welfare practice standards, policy updates, and other identified needs.
Provide ongoing training and technical support to social workers on job functions, writing quality goals, case plans, and court reports.
Create and provide instructions, videos, and other tools to help staff complete job functions correctly and efficiently.
Collaborate with leadership and the peer CQI Social Worker to review case records and reports and identify practice trends that need to be addressed.
Facilitate Child and Family Team meetings as needed and complete required meeting documentation.
Run reports and track data for CQI and quality assurance activities.
Participate in statewide workgroups and committees as needed.
Test and provide feedback on forms and functions as requested by NC DHHS.
Prepare requested data for and participate in regional CQI and regional child welfare consultant meetings.
Convey follow-up information to supervisors, management, and state staff as needed.
Conduct record reviews and assist with preparation for program monitoring, audits, and fiscal reviews.
Conduct targeted record reviews to identify processes requiring improvement.
Provide management with feedback and suggestions to improve social work practice.
Conduct quality assurance functions, including data review and cleanup as needed.
Provide backup and assistance to the other CQI Social Worker.
Provide backup for unit functions, including covering intake, initiating CPS reports, assisting in-home and permanency planning teams, and covering on-call shifts as needed.
Complete thorough and timely documentation of case activities in records according to local and state policies and required timeframes.
Participate in the Children’s Services on-call rotation.
Participate in shelter operations or other weather-related incidents as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.