What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker III - Foster Care position at Alexander County, NC?
Position Description
An employee in this class is responsible for seeking permanence for children placed in the foster care system. Work involves creating and maintaining a case file that captures and specifically documents the child’s life while in foster care. Employee will work with family/caretakers to develop a primary detailed plan that will allow the family to be reunified and an alternative plan if reunification fails. This employee must demonstrate a high level of knowledge and good judgment in carrying out the duties of this position. Employee should seek supervisory or attorney consultation as needed in determining the appropriate action. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Social Work Supervisor III.
Responsibilities
We offer a full compensation package including quality benefits with flexible options to meet the needs of our employees and their families.
HEALTH CARE
Requirements
Medical Insurance – Employee medical insurance is 100% paid provided wellness incentive requirements are met. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child: $69.23 Children: $207.69 Spouse: $230.77 Family: $392.31
Dental Insurance – Employee dental insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child(ren): $16.95 Spouse: $18.89 Family: $52.32
Vision Insurance – Employee vision insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child(ren): $3.86 Spouse: $3.48 Family: $7.50
WELLNESS
Health Clinic – Available to all County employees and dependents covered under the medical insurance plan. Covered visits include ear infections, colds, first aid, physicals, and other acute care needs.
Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) – The medical plan offers alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, and others. Specific requirements must be met for partial reimbursement - refer to the employee guide for more information.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Counseling services are available to all employees and dependents in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting. The County provides coverage for the first five visits per year.
YMCA – No joining or monthly membership fees for eligible employees. Employees may opt to upgrade their membership to a family rate of $6.92 per pay period.
PureGrit Fitness – Discounted member fees for eligible employees with access to a weight room, unlimited classes, or a day pass.
WORK/LIFE BALANCE
Holidays – Twelve days of paid leave are provided throughout the year to eligible employees.
Sick Leave - Employees earn eight hours per month; EMS employees earn 11 hours per month.
Annual Leave – Employees earn prorated hours per month based upon years of service and hours worked.
Birth Month Leave: Employees will receive the equivalent hours of one regular workday added to their annual leave on the second day of their birth month.
Community Involvement Leave: Employees earn eight hours per calendar year, expiring on December 31.
Bereavement Leave: Employees are given 24 hours of paid leave to grieve the loss of an immediate family member.
Parental Leave: Eligible employees can request up to 6 weeks of paid leave per calendar year.
Discount Tickets – Discount tickets to various recreational venues including AMC Theaters, Carowinds, Tweetsie Railroad, Biltmore Estate, and others.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
NC Local Government Retirement System – The Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS) is a defined benefit plan. Full-time and eligible part-time employees are automatically enrolled in the system. Employees contribute a mandatory, fixed 6% on a pre-tax basis. An employee is considered vested after five years of contributory service.
Life Insurance – $12,500 of Life and AD&D at no cost to the employee. Additional coverage is available at employee expense.
Longevity - After five (5) years of continuous full-time County service, employees receive an annual lump sum payment of 1.5% of their salary during their anniversary month. Moving forward, the amount increases by .10 per year based upon years of service.
401k and 457 Deferred Compensation – Contributions are available as an employee option.
Tuition Reimbursement: Employees who have completed their initial probationary period are eligible to participate in the tuition reimbursement program of up to $1,000 per semester in qualified expenses.
Supplemental Benefits – The County partners with Aflac, as an employee option, for additional supplemental benefits.
Local Government Federal Credit Union (CIVIC) – Memberships are available to County employees.
For additional details on benefits, please review the Alexander County policies at www.alexandercountync.gov or
contact the Human Resources Department at (828) 632-1132.
01
Please select your highest level of education completed.
How many years of experience do you have in case management?
How many years of experience do you have as a Social Worker?
Do you have a valid North Carolina driver's license?
Have you successfully completed the North Carolina Child Welfare Collaborative?
Have you completed 72 hours of preservice training by NC Division of Social Services?
Do you have a valid REAL ID, U.S. Passport, or another federally approved identification for air travel?
An employee in this class is responsible for seeking permanence for children placed in the foster care system. Work involves creating and maintaining a case file that captures and specifically documents the child’s life while in foster care. Employee will work with family/caretakers to develop a primary detailed plan that will allow the family to be reunified and an alternative plan if reunification fails. This employee must demonstrate a high level of knowledge and good judgment in carrying out the duties of this position. Employee should seek supervisory or attorney consultation as needed in determining the appropriate action. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Social Work Supervisor III.
Responsibilities
- Aggressively seeks out permanence for children in foster care.
- Conducts monthly personal visits with children in their caseload.
- Attends all court hearings and preparing all necessary reports and documentation.
- Contacts and conducts visits with all appropriate family members and collaterals.
- Visits the home where the child resides, observes the environment and talks with the caretakers.
- Conducts ongoing assessments to ensure the best interests of the child are being met.
- Coordinates and facilitates visits between children and removes family/caretakers as necessary.
- Advocates for and obtains all services the children needs which includes medical, emotional, educational, as well as placement needs.
- Conducts home visits (announced and unannounced) to removal home.
- Attends all necessary meetings (i.e. treatment team, IEP, PPAT, DJJDP, etc.) required by NCDHHS-Division of Social Services Policy, North Carolina Juvenile Statute, and through local court direction.
- Creates a case file which captures and specifically documents a child's life while in foster care and away from family/caretakers.
- Prepares pictures, correspondence, medical records, educational records, running narratives which document and detail all DSS activities, copies of all court paperwork and orders, Permanency Planning Team paperwork, case plans developed with caretakers, risk assessments, strengths & needs assessments, visitation plans, referrals for child or parent, release of information forms, any mental health records, eligibility for funding forms, all identifying information (such as birth certificates and social security numbers), social histories, home studies, parental information - assessments, criminal histories, past CPS involvements, referred programs progress notes (i.e. DV Groups, Substance Abuse information, therapists notes, parenting group updates, etc.).
- Takes child (and sometimes parent) to appointments to help achieve the well-being and permanency goals, helps facilitate visitation between child and caretaker(s), drug screenings of caretakers, and court attendance.
- Conducts visits with children in out-of-state placements, which may require overnight stays and/or long-distance travel.
- Provides back-up for on-call worker for a week approximately every three months (called on ONLY if primary is overloaded or unavailable). These arrangements may be subject to modification based on agency needs.
- Staff cases with immediate supervisor weekly, participates in court staffing's, team meetings, and unit meetings.
- Attends local and state-mandated training, as well as professional development conferences/seminars/webinars.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations is expected. Employee is required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during, and after the emergency. Employee is also required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
- Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices must be demonstrated and applied to specific casework and community problems.
- Must have training around grief and loss, and be able to understand the effects of separation on a child.
- Considerable knowledge of behavioral and socioeconomic problems is required.
- Working knowledge of government, civic, and private organizations as well as community resources.
- Working knowledge of the organization, functions, and programs of County government.
- Ability to understand laws, regulations, and policies which govern social work programs.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all individuals orally and in writing.
- Knowledge and ability to use correct grammar, vocabulary, and spelling skills.
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, and to plan and execute work effectively.
- Ability to accurately prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.
- Considerable knowledge of computers for word processing, data retention and retrieval and the ability to utilize office equipment.
- Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; or
- Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only); or
- Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; or
- Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; or
- Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; or
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.
- North Carolina Child Welfare Pre-service training or complete within 6 months of date of hire.
- Possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.
- Possess a valid REAL ID, U.S. Passport, or another federally approved identification.
- A minimum of 24 hours of additional training is required for each social work position annually after preliminary requirements for pre-service training are met. Many opportunities are provided for the employee to attend program-specific and/or technical training. Additionally, local training and professional conferences are available as reasonable and appropriate.
We offer a full compensation package including quality benefits with flexible options to meet the needs of our employees and their families.
HEALTH CARE
Requirements
Medical Insurance – Employee medical insurance is 100% paid provided wellness incentive requirements are met. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child: $69.23 Children: $207.69 Spouse: $230.77 Family: $392.31
Dental Insurance – Employee dental insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child(ren): $16.95 Spouse: $18.89 Family: $52.32
Vision Insurance – Employee vision insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child(ren): $3.86 Spouse: $3.48 Family: $7.50
WELLNESS
Health Clinic – Available to all County employees and dependents covered under the medical insurance plan. Covered visits include ear infections, colds, first aid, physicals, and other acute care needs.
Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) – The medical plan offers alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, and others. Specific requirements must be met for partial reimbursement - refer to the employee guide for more information.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Counseling services are available to all employees and dependents in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting. The County provides coverage for the first five visits per year.
YMCA – No joining or monthly membership fees for eligible employees. Employees may opt to upgrade their membership to a family rate of $6.92 per pay period.
PureGrit Fitness – Discounted member fees for eligible employees with access to a weight room, unlimited classes, or a day pass.
WORK/LIFE BALANCE
Holidays – Twelve days of paid leave are provided throughout the year to eligible employees.
Sick Leave - Employees earn eight hours per month; EMS employees earn 11 hours per month.
Annual Leave – Employees earn prorated hours per month based upon years of service and hours worked.
Birth Month Leave: Employees will receive the equivalent hours of one regular workday added to their annual leave on the second day of their birth month.
Community Involvement Leave: Employees earn eight hours per calendar year, expiring on December 31.
Bereavement Leave: Employees are given 24 hours of paid leave to grieve the loss of an immediate family member.
Parental Leave: Eligible employees can request up to 6 weeks of paid leave per calendar year.
Discount Tickets – Discount tickets to various recreational venues including AMC Theaters, Carowinds, Tweetsie Railroad, Biltmore Estate, and others.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
NC Local Government Retirement System – The Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS) is a defined benefit plan. Full-time and eligible part-time employees are automatically enrolled in the system. Employees contribute a mandatory, fixed 6% on a pre-tax basis. An employee is considered vested after five years of contributory service.
Life Insurance – $12,500 of Life and AD&D at no cost to the employee. Additional coverage is available at employee expense.
Longevity - After five (5) years of continuous full-time County service, employees receive an annual lump sum payment of 1.5% of their salary during their anniversary month. Moving forward, the amount increases by .10 per year based upon years of service.
401k and 457 Deferred Compensation – Contributions are available as an employee option.
Tuition Reimbursement: Employees who have completed their initial probationary period are eligible to participate in the tuition reimbursement program of up to $1,000 per semester in qualified expenses.
Supplemental Benefits – The County partners with Aflac, as an employee option, for additional supplemental benefits.
Local Government Federal Credit Union (CIVIC) – Memberships are available to County employees.
For additional details on benefits, please review the Alexander County policies at www.alexandercountync.gov or
contact the Human Resources Department at (828) 632-1132.
01
Please select your highest level of education completed.
- None
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
- Bachelor's degree in a human services field.
- Bachelor's degree in any other field.
- Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work.
- Master's degree in human services.
- Master's degree in any other field.
How many years of experience do you have in case management?
- None
- Less than 1 year
- 1 to 2 years
- 2 to 3 years
- 3 to 4 years
- 4 years
How many years of experience do you have as a Social Worker?
- None
- less than 1 year
- 1 to 2 years
- 2 to 3 years
- 3 to 4 years
- 4 years
Do you have a valid North Carolina driver's license?
- No
- Yes
Have you successfully completed the North Carolina Child Welfare Collaborative?
- No
- Yes
Have you completed 72 hours of preservice training by NC Division of Social Services?
- No
- Yes
Do you have a valid REAL ID, U.S. Passport, or another federally approved identification for air travel?
- No
- Yes
- Required Question
Salary : $7 - $69