Social Worker (Protective Services) - Emergency Duty

Onslow County•Jacksonville, NC

About The Position

The Emergency Duty Social Worker provides professional protective social work services to clients in Child Protective Services, In-Home Services, or Permanency Planning units of the Department of Social Services. The role handles serious and complicated cases requiring a flexible range of social work skills and intervention techniques, including cases involving alleged neglect or abuse, permanency placement, and acute to severe medical, emotional, or mental health needs. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Social Work Supervisor. The position covers emergency duty every other week, alternating one week on duty with one week off. On-duty hours generally include Monday and Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., with on-call coverage until 8 a.m. the next working day; Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., with on-call coverage until 8 a.m. the next working day; Friday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m., with on-call coverage through the weekend until 8 a.m. Monday. During the work week, the worker also covers agency closures occurring during their duty week. The role requires a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field, moderate experience in protective services social work (two years) or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and a valid driver's license. A master's degree is preferred. A final official transcript showing the degree award date must be submitted if selected. Salary is based on qualifications, internal equity, and market considerations. Team members are expected to demonstrate the organization's core values of Resilience, Excellence, Accountability, Customer Service, and Honesty through high-quality work, responsibility, exceptional service, and integrity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field.
Two years of moderate experience in protective services social work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver's license.
Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to individual casework, group work, and community problems.
Knowledge of psychosocial, socioeconomic, and behavioral problems and associated treatment.
Knowledge of governmental and private organizations and community resources.
Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies governing the program.
Ability to establish rapport with clients and assess psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of their problems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, clients and their families, and civic, medical, social, and religious organizations.
Ability to train or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, including exertion, mobility, communication, data preparation and analysis, visual inspection, use of measuring devices, and operation of motor vehicles or equipment.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.

Responsibilities

Provide intensive social work services in serious and complicated Child Protective Services or Permanency Planning cases.
Assess family dynamics and needs, and assess, intervene in, and treat patients or families with acute to severe medical or emotional disorders and mental illnesses.
Investigate alleged neglect or abuse and conduct fitness-for-permanency-placement investigations.
Conduct accurate assessments, identify client needs, and establish appropriate service or treatment plans.
Provide supportive or directive counseling and help clients and families identify resources for referrals and assistance.
Serve as an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary team member and refer clients to services addressing financial, psychological, emergency care, emotional, or other needs.
Share information and confer with schools, natural parents, and foster parents about habilitation plans, behavior management, and other problem areas or needs.
Conduct interviews and home visits to verify information, complete assessments, and evaluate service or treatment plans.
Assist with intake interviews, conduct background checks, and analyze client medical information for work capacity where applicable.
Facilitate or develop community or service resources and develop volunteer programs.
Perform assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team member.
Cover emergency duty during assigned weeks and agency closures, including on-call coverage as specified.