Social Worker I - Intake

Jackson County, NC; Sylva (NC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Jackson County, NC is seeking an entry-level social worker to provide conventional services to clients. You will inform clients, answer questions, interpret agency policies, and refer to other services.

The role offers structured training and growth potential. You will assess eligibility, collect histories, develop service plans, explain available programs, and coordinate referrals using basic assessment tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution.
• One year of directly related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of basic social work principles, techniques, and practices.
• Knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, clients and community organizations.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and plan and execute work.

Responsibilities

• Provide information to clients, answer factual questions, explain agency policies and procedures, and refer to other services.
• Establish client eligibility, obtain histories, perform initial assessments, and develop service plans.
• Explain available services/programs and refer clients to appropriate programs/agencies.
• Use basic assessment tools to identify needs and develop service plans with referrals as needed.
• Work independently within established procedures and undergo supervision as needed.
• Assess program practices to ensure compliance with regulations and report progress.

Skills

Basic social work principles

Interpersonal communication

Referral knowledge

Client information delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

One year of directly related experience

Job description

This is beginning level social work providing conventional services to clients. The employee will give information to clients, answer factual questions, give explanations and interpretations of agency policies and procedures that concern the clients or care givers, and make referrals for other services. Grade 18

Variety and Scope

Employees establish client eligibility for service, obtain client histories, perform initial assessments, develop a plan to provide basic services, explain available services and programs, and refer clients to appropriate programs/agencies for other needed services. Employees may evaluate and document client programs.

Intricacy

Employees utilize a variety of basic assessment tools to identify needs; obtain medical, financial, and social history; and develop a service plan for each client. Service plans include provision of basic services such as supportive counseling, coordination of day care, medical, or in-home services; and referral to other programs/services/agencies. Clients may have multiple problems which require referrals for other services.

Subject Matter Complexity

Work requires a knowledge of the basic elements of social work, of program to which assigned, knowledge of basic assessment tools, how to develop service plans, how to plan for provision of needed services, and knowledge of other agencies/programs so that appropriate referrals can be made.

Guidelines

Employees utilize agency guidelines and federal or state standards. Guidelines are generally specific and applications of these determines eligibility and services provided.

Nature of Instructions

Work is performed independently according to established procedures. Employees are generally familiar with the aims and objectives of the program they are providing and minimal daily instruction is required. Supervision is immediately available when problem situations are encountered. On-the-job training is provided by a higher level supervisor.

Nature of Review

Work is reviewed by assessing program practices to determine compliance with regulations concerning the specific program or services. Work is also reviewed through submission of periodic reports, routine conferences with supervisor, and is subject to review in progress.

Scope of Decisions

Decisions regarding assessments and services impact on individual clients and their families; employees may provide direction or instruction to paraprofessional staff, volunteers, or care providers.

Consequences of Decisions

Decisions result in clients either receiving or not receiving appropriate services or appropriate referrals for higher level assistance as needed.

Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Working knowledge of basic social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to specific casework, group work, and community problems.
• Knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community. Some knowledge of behavioral and socioeconomic problems and their treatment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative supervisors, with members of case load and their families, and with care providers and various community organizations.
• Ability to express ideals clearly and concisely. Ability to plan and execute work.