Social Work Assistant Jobs in North Carolina

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Job Description

Essential Functions

The following essential functions serve as a general guide for this position. Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements.

• Participate in the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring process with program managers;
• Provide orientation and training to new social workers and develop an annual training plan for assigned staff;
• Provide regular case staffing, supervision, coaching, and support to all team members per agency and NC DHHS policy;
• Oversee the submission of day sheets and timesheets for staff supervised;
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities within the Family Services Division and perform Quality Assurance for assigned program areas;
• Participate in preparing for program monitoring and financial audits as needed;
• Prepare agendas and facilitate unit meetings;
• Create a culture within program area(s) and across the agency that supports employees to provide quality services and customer service;
• Facilitate Child and Family team meetings, Permanency Planning reviews, and other required meetings as needed;
• Track needed data for team and program areas and submit reports within required timelines;
• Provide information needed for the budgeting process as needed;
• Work collaboratively with a wide array of partners including parents and families, the Guardian ad Litem program, foster and relative placement providers, treatment providers, and attorneys in case planning activities;
• Participate in court staffing with agency attorney, review court reports, participate in Child Planning Conferences and all associated court proceedings, and provide expert testimony in court as needed;
• Serve as a member of the agency Management Team and other internal committees, and represent the agency at a variety of other local and state meetings and committees;
• Ensure thorough and timely documentation of all case activities in the record per local and state policy and required timeframes for program areas;
• Assist with planning and actively participate in agency functions, outreach and awareness events, training, and team-building activities;
• Participate in the on-call rotation with other social work supervisors;
• Act as a shelter manager in shelter operations or other weather-related incidents as needed;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related experience; or a bachelor’s degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of directly related experience; or a master’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of directly related experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of directly related experience; or a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and five years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous supervisory experience is preferred, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to provide strong leadership to a team of social workers working in high-stress situations;
• Ability to supervise, orient, and train social workers, interns, and other staff;
• Considerable knowledge and experience with child welfare practice and policy including best practices, abuse, neglect, and dependency, In-Home, and Foster Care program policy;
• Considerable understanding of trauma and its impact on children and families involved with the child welfare system as well as Secondary Traumatic Stress and how it impacts social work staff;
• Ability to skillfully manage conflict, remain neutral and fair, engage people and build trust, and promote collaboration and consensus toward positive outcomes;
• Strong ability to multi-task;
• Ability to prioritize work assignments and to be flexible with schedule as needed;
• Ability to quickly and competently assess the risks and safety of the home environment, employ negotiation skills in complex situations, and de-escalate emotional and tense situations;
• Ability to work independently and manage day-to-day tasks;
• Ability to plan and execute work effectively, including delegating fairly across team members;
• Knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training;
• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community and system issues;
• Knowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral, and/or psychosocial problems that children and families may be experiencing;
• Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, resources in the community, and laws, regulations, and policies that govern the program;
• Ability to prepare documentation such as comprehensive court reports;
• Ability to competently testify in court as needed and assist social workers with preparing for and testifying in court;
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from varying cultures and backgrounds via phone and through personal contact and provide equitable treatment to all;
• The ability to use best practices, strategies, professional judgment, and time management skills in complex situations is essential;
• Ability to plan and coordinate with both internal and external parties;
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions;
• Ability to be flexible and to work as a team player;
• Ability to demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills;
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely;
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills;
• Ability to demonstrate good public relations skills;
• Skill in operating standard office equipment such as computers, phones, fax machines, and scanners;
• Ability to perform work using local and state technology systems including NCFAST, CWIS, Northwoods, iiReception, Microsoft Office, internet browsers, virtual meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and other commonly used electronic programs;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, department heads, peers, associates, and the general public.

Chatham County is fully committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) principles and issues this anti-discrimination/EEO compliance clause to support and maintain employee’s rights and responsibilities relating to equal employment. The core of equal employment opportunity is the right to work and advance on the basis of merit, ability, and potential, free from prejudice or discrimination. In accordance with the applicable anti-discrimination statutes, executive orders, and other authorities, Chatham County protects employees against discrimination, to the fullest extent of law, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, whistleblower activity, parental status, and military service (past, present, or future), and against retaliation for participation in EEO activity or opposition to discrimination.