Social Worker IV - I/A & T

Alexander County, NC; Taylorsville (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander County, NC is seeking a qualified social worker to manage a caseload of complex child welfare cases and to provide group, family, or individual therapy as needed.

The role requires completing investigations and assessments, crisis intervention, and developing protection plans. You will work with families and community partners to promote safety and well‑being, with emergency preparedness duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or equivalent required.
• Licensed driver with NC driver’s license or valid license.
• Child Welfare pre-service training or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• REAL ID or acceptable alternate for air travel within 6 months of hire.
• Minimum 24 hours of additional training annually after pre-service requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients in complex cases.
• Provide group, family, or individual therapy to clients of various ages and needs.
• Complete investigations, assessments, crisis intervention, and referrals for treatment and placement.
• Establish protection plans and apply intervention techniques.
• Collaborate with families, children, and partners to strengthen families.
• Continuously assess safety, risk, and well‑being of identified children.
• Respond to emergencies as required and participate in training.

Skills

Caseload management

Crisis intervention

Family engagement

Client assessment

Documentation/report writing

Education

Master's degree in Social Work

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Master's degree in counseling field

Bachelor's degree in human services or related field

Equivalent combination of training and experience

Job description

Position Description

Responsibilities

• Dayshift workers manage a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases.
• Provides treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients of any age and/or with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problems including abused, neglected or homeless children.
• Completes clinical and social investigations, assessments of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement in foster care or residential facilities.
• Establishes protection plans and applies intervention techniques.
• Provides group, family, or individual treatment to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problems
• Works cohesively with families, children, community, and in‑agency partners to support and strengthen families.
• Continuously assesses the safety, risk, and well‑being of identified children.
• 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.

On-call Workers:

• Employees assigned to on-call will work the hours of 5 pm to 8 am in a rotation of 7 days on/7 days off.

2nd shift Workers:

• Employees assigned to 2nd shift will work the hours of 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children.
• Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law.
• Thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment history.
• Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for the court, case records, and treatment plans.
• Ability to employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services.
• Ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client’s environment.
• Ability to employ expert negotiation skills in the most complex cases.
• Ability to analyze and assess child development safety issues in the relation to risk factors
• Ability to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information and limited access to consultation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.

Required Minimum Education / Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
• Master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; or
• Graduation from a four year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human services field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or
• Equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Child Welfare pre-service training or obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Possess a valid REAL ID, U.S. Passport, or other federally-approved identification document acceptable for air travel, or obtain such document within 6 months of hire.
• 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.

Special Note