Social Work Assistant

I. Purpose of the position:
The purpose of this position is to provide Family Time Coaching services for children and their families in the custody of Buncombe County Health and Human Services Social Work Division. Additionally, this position will provide support for transportation needs for foster youth, sitting with foster youth in the office with no placement options, and providing childcare support for community groups held at The GRACE Center.

II. Essential Functions of the position:

• Coordinate and provide supervised visitation services to children in the custody of BCHHS.
• Provide transportation to and from visitations as needed.
• Support the functioning of The GRACE Center.
• Complete administrative tasks to support Social Work Team
• Provide supervision for foster youth in the office with no identified placement.
• Providing childcare support for community groups held at The GRACE Center.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

III. Typical Work Schedule:

• Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in the Department and County attendance policies and procedures.
• Regular, predictable attendance is essential.
• Note: This position has been identified as an emergency essential position and as such employees in this position may be needed to work, including after-hours, weekends and during a public emergency (to include but not limited to floods, ice storms, disease outbreak, terrorist attack, etc.).

IV. Supervision Received: Receives supervision to perform routine duties; operates within specific policy guidelines; standard practices or procedures allow employee to proceed independently to perform routine work; work frequently checked while in progress and reviewed upon completion.
Supervisory/ Leadership Responsibilities: None
V. Decision Making and Problem Solving: Most problems are routine, predictable, and constrained with little or no uncertainty; problems or questions are referred to supervisor. Decision making is limited to information contained within established policies and procedures.

VI. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application to specific casework and community problems.
• Ability to prioritize, identify, and assess risks, problems and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, emotionally confused, and resistant.
• Skilled in establishing constructive relationships with resistant clients and utilizing family-centered social work practice.
• Knowledge of manuals governing service criteria, required documentation and accountability procedures.
• Ability to effectively de-escalate individuals.
• Triple P training certified.
• Training in Circle of Security.

VII. Organization Conformance Standards for all positions:

• Interact with other employees, customers, and partners in an effective manner, with professionalism and cultural competency; work effectively and efficiently as a team contributor including interacting and communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain knowledge of the agency organizational rules, policies, procedures, services, and mission.
• Plan, prioritize, and organize work effectively to produce quality work with measurable results and within identified deadlines; Function in highly stressful circumstances and demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions; ability to maintain calm demeanor while dealing with stressful situations and customers.
• Demonstrate the County’s core values through performance and conduct. This expectation extends beyond the workplace and County systems to include off-site, and off-duty conduct that undermines an employee’s creditability as a representative of the County; Conduct business in an ethical manner at all times while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Coordinate work efforts with other employees and organizations to accomplish a common task; responsible for managing matters affecting employment and completing personnel-related activities timely and according to County policy.
• Safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with ADAAA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADAAA, FMLA and other federal state and local standards.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug screen and criminal background check.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Associate's degree in Human Services and one (1) year experience in Human Services; or High School Diploma or GED, and two (2) years’ experience in Human Services field.

Additional/Preferred Education, Training and/or Experience: Triple P training certified and Training in Circle of Security. English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: A current, valid driver's license.

Physical Requirements: The work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. The work is primarily light work requiring exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.