Social Worker III

General Statement of Duties

This position is assigned to the Adult Services Unit, which is part of the Adult Services Division for the Franklin County Department of Social Services. This unit screens, refers, counsels and provides services to adults residing in Franklin County. The continuum of services provided by the unit includes Guardianship, Adult Protective Services, Adult Home Specialist, CAP/DA Case Management, SA In-Home Case Management, Information/Referral and various case management services.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Regular work hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Frequently, supervisor will be required to work over-time or adjusted work hours. Supervisor serves as a member of the agency leadership team. Supervisor will manage emergency shelters during times of disaster.

Duties and Responsibilities/Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

North Carolina General Statutes, Article 6 of Chapter 108A, Protection of the Abused, Neglected or Exploited Disabled Adults mandates that the director of the county department of social services promptly and thoroughly evaluate all reports which allege that a disabled adult is being abused, neglected (by self or by caretaker), or exploited; determine the need for provision of protective services for disabled adults who lack the capacity to consent to services. The worker in this position is designated to carry out the legally mandated responsibilities of the director.

In carrying out this responsibility, the APS worker strives to provide services that will adequately protect the person while at the same time minimize the loss of individual freedom. The APS worker utilizes services for adults within the agency, as well as the services of other private and governmental agencies. The APS worker operates in a relatively independent fashion, often making life and death decisions using his/her own professional judgment.

The APS worker and other intake social workers take reports and complete the APS referral form. The supervisor assigns cases to the APS worker following legal mandate requiring that the protective service evaluation be initiated within 24 hours for emergency reports and 72 hours for non-emergencies. In emergency situations, immediate social work interventions may be needed. The majority of the work time is spent in direct service provision, which includes interviewing, assessing, evaluating, mobilizing and advocating.

Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, groupwork, and community problems. Considerable knowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral, and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, and resources in the community, laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program. General knowledge of the methods and principles of casework supervision and training. In certain settings, considerable knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnosis. Skill in establishing rapport with a client and in applying techniques or assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client’s problems. Ability to supervise, train, or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns in the program. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of case load and their families, as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.

Desirable Education and Experience

Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only); Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience

Other Information

Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license upon hire.

Franklin County offers a competitive benefits package designed to encourage and support your health, well-being and productivity. Benefit options include medical and dental insurance; elective supplemental insurance options such as short-term disability, vision, and voluntary term life; local government retirement; 401(k) with a 4% employer contribution (no employee match required); generous paid leave that includes 13 county-observed paid holidays per year; an employee wellness program inclusive of a county sponsored gym and an employee assistance program.