Social Worker IV-Adult Protective Services
Social Services
JOB SUMMARY
This position performs professional social work to individuals and/or families with personal, social, health and economic needs. This is advanced, professional casework providing protective, investigative, counseling and case management services for adults who are at risk of neglect, abuse and/or exploitation. Employees provide social work services including treatment and immediate response to crisis situations for adults in the most complex cases in the county. Work involves investigation of alleged neglect, abuse and exploitation, substantiation of the alleged neglect, abuse, and exploitation as prescribed by federal and state guidelines, providing expert testimony in court hearings, and following up with case management and preventive services for clients. Employees analyze situations and determine appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions. Employees may provide individual or family treatment to clients over 18 years of age, and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problem. Employees typically report to a Social Work Supervisor II under general supervision. Employees may have combined investigative and treatment roles or may have separate functions depending on the size and organizational structure of the departments of Social Services. An incumbent in this position may be designated “Social Worker I”, “Social Worker II”, “Social Worker III”, “Social Worker IV”, or “Social Worker Trainee”.
MAJOR DUTIES
- Respond to emergency calls involving elderly or disabled adults alleged to be neglected, abused, or exploited; assesses situations and develops response plans; helps eliminate problems and works toward developing alternate arrangements.
- Address needs of the adult and/or family; help adults eliminate problems and barriers; assesses individual strengths.
- Assess client needs; develop strategies for delivery of appropriate services to clients.
- Maintain confidential records and files, complete documentation timely, prepare reports as required.
- Provide information and assistance to individuals/families, inmates, patients, students, and other family members as well as the court, school system, and service providers.
- Provide clients with available information regarding social, medical, placement, and psychiatric services.
- Provide treatment planning and mental status assessment.
- Provide individual and family therapy when needed.
- Assist and support clients in their use of agency and other resources.
- Refer clients to related agencies as appropriate.
- Assist or arrange placement in nursing homes, Assisted Living facilities and Family Care Homes.
- Prepare documents, staff with agency attorney and attend court hearings.
- Attend training sessions and seminars.
- Perform other related duties as assigned, including Disaster Shelters.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
- Knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
- Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to specific casework and community problems.
- Knowledge of behavioral and socioeconomic problems and their treatment and governmental and private organizations and community resources.
- Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies which govern social work programs.
- Skill in training and/or orienting lower-level social workers, students, interns, or
other staff.
- Skill in expressing ideas clearly and concisely and in planning and executing work effectively.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
- The Social Work Supervisor II assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the results.
GUIDELINES
- Guidelines include social work principles and methods, North Carolina General Statutes, federal, state, and county policies and procedures, court guidelines, the Social Worker Code of Ethics, and confidentiality guidelines. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY
- The work consists of varied duties in the delivery of assistance to agency clients. Strict regulations and the volume of cases contribute to the complexity of the position.
SCOPE AND EFFECT
- The purpose of this position is to manage and provide assistance to agency clients. Successful performance results in the provision of social services to clients.
PERSONAL CONTACTS
- Contacts are typically with co-workers, other county employees, health care providers, law enforcement personnel, court officials, representatives of community groups, school personnel, clients, and members of the public.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
- Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, motivate people, and resolve problems that involve the safety and well-being of the elderly, and disabled adults.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases. The work requires the use of protective devices such as masks or gloves.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work or counseling experience; or
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work or counseling experience; or
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
- A master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
- A four-year 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
- An equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
