Social Worker IV - Investigations

Do you feel the call to help others? Do you want to help families safely care for their children? Investigators and Assessors work to determine the validity and severity of child abuse or neglect reports. They make sure that children and families in crisis get what they need to address the identified issues. We are looking for fast-paced, passionate, and engaging human services professionals to join our Social Work Department in Buncombe County, NC. If the typical 8-to-5 job is not for you, and you have the desire to help children and work with families in crisis, then consider a career as a Social Worker IV - Investigations (formerly titled Investigation, Assessment, & Treatment Social Worker - IATSW) with Buncombe County Social Work Services. This posting is for ongoing recruitment for the Social Work Investigations division.

Learn more about the job from our Social Workers in these 1-minute videos: Pamela, Brenda, George and Emily.

This position will be hired as a fully-qualified Social Worker IV or a Social Worker IV Trainee depending on candidate qualifications. Salaries are calculated based on education and experience above minimum qualifications.

The Pay Range for a Social Worker IV is $31.57 - $37.98 an hour
The Pay Range for a Social Worker IV Trainee is $29.51 - $35.50 an hour

Candidates hired as Social Worker IV Trainees are expected to advance to a Social Worker IV position once the employee becomes fully qualified. At that time the selected candidate will be promoted and compensated as a qualified Social Worker.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that is representative of our diverse community. If you are interested in this position but are not certain if you meet the exact qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply. Buncombe County uses a substantial equivalency standard to determine if applicants are qualified.

Candidates are required to submit transcripts with their application.

Social Workers are required to work in the office (no teleworking) for their first 6 months of employment to ensure they receive the appropriate level of support and training.
 

The selected candidate for this position will be required to submit to a drug test. Please note that CBD or Delta-9 Hemp products may cause a positive drug test.

Purpose of the position:
The primary purpose of this position is to ensure child safety in compliance with state and federal statutes regarding child protective services.
 

Essential Functions of the position:

• Assess the risk and safety of children in response to actual or suspected child neglect, abuse, or dependency through conducting a thorough investigation of the home, school and other locations or persons involved, conducting such assessments requires the use of a personal vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

• Develop and monitor service plans with families involved in Child Protective Services and provide or refer services as needed. Make recommendations to the court, including services needed, progress and barriers to permanent plan.

• Provide direct services to children and their parents/caretakers through which a timely and comprehensive assessment is conducted to determine if abuse/neglect/dependency exist and provide for ongoing intervention if warranted.

• Ensure safety planning for children in compliance with state and federal statutes and policies. If children cannot remain safely in their home a petition to the court and/or non-secure custody is sought.

• Assess, support, supervise and counsel families involved with child protective services to ensure child safety, wellbeing and permanence. Evaluate available information to determine the appropriateness for intervention and level of services required.

• Prepare legal documents, court reports, and court testimony when warranted in compliance with state and federal statutes and policies. Ensure all required documentation, forms and reports are completed and maintained in a timely and consistent manner in accordance with local, state and federal requirements.

• Provide transportation on a limited basis to families when necessary to access services to address safety and wellbeing issues.

• Advise clients of the Department’s mandated responsibilities, agency policies and procedures and clients’ rights.

• Establish rapport with children, families and appropriate professionals/non-professionals in the community to provide a strengths-based, family centered approach in working with families throughout child welfare involvement.

• Coordinate goal-directed visitation with birth family in accordance with Court orders and service agreements.

• Develop and/or participate in Child and Family Team to ensure collaborative service planning and case coordination among multiple service providers.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Investigative Social Worker Trainee Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience: To qualify for the Investigative Social Worker Trainee position, candidates must meet the minimum requirements listed below within two years of their start date.

Investigative Social Worker Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience: Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one (1) year of social work experience; or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two (2) years of social work or counseling experience; or Master’s degree in a counseling field and two (2) years of social work or counseling experience; or a Bachelor’s degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three (3) years of social work or counseling experience; or Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. *One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.

Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

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

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to prioritize, identify, and assess risks, problems and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, emotionally confused and resistant; Ability to effectively de-escalate individuals.

• Knowledge of medical, behavioral and socio-economic problems and their treatment.

• Knowledge of numerous funding sources and how to utilize them.

• Knowledge of basic criminal justice procedures, elements of medical and mental disorders, personality theory, family systems dynamics, interpersonal relations, and cultural differences, values and lifestyles.

• Skills in establishing constructive relationships with resistant clients and utilizing family-centered SW practice.

• Skills and counseling in interviewing and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively; and skills in creating resources when none are readily available.

• Thorough Knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application to specific casework and community problems.

• Thorough knowledge of agency procedures and resources, community systems and resources, manual material, state and federal regulations, permanency planning philosophy, and laws governing protective services for children.

Additionally, Buncombe County has a very rich benefits package, including an 8% contribution to our 401(k), which is a free contribution, not a match. We also have a state pension, to which Buncombe County contributes about 11%, and has a 5-year vesting period. In addition we have first-in-class health insurance and generous paid time off plan including 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave that roll over each year, and vacation accruals starting at 10 days per year which increases with service.

Other resources, services, and opportunities for appreciation, engagement, and support:

• No-cost physical therapy

• Employee & Family Health clinic

• Buncombe County University internal training program

• Free preventive screenings for employees and family members on the health insurance plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• Autoimmune program

• Condition care program

• Financial resources

• Lunch and learn series

• Financial Fridays – Learn about everything from best practices for car buying to debt management

• Employee Spotlights

• Annual employee service awards

• Lake Julian Festival of Lights employee appreciation night

• Employee 5K at Owen Park

• Up to eight weeks of paid parental and family care leave

• 16 hours of Community Service Leave

• 2 annual PTO days with the opportunity to earn two additional days by joining our voluntary wellness program

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.