Child Welfare Specialist II
Mecklenburg County Government, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28245
Position Summary
In Youth and Family Services, this position provides community‑based services to individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including child abuse, neglect, dependency, delinquency, and adoption. Children and family needs include mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, housing, child care, or medical care and other life domains. This position, under general supervision, is responsible for providing evaluation, case management, counseling, formal and informal comprehensive assessments, and referral services to assist in meeting the needs of the children and families.
We are currently recruiting for two crucial areas: Investigations, Family‑in‑Home, and Permanency Planning.
Investigations You would investigate and assess the needs of children involved in reports of alleged abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. You would also be responsible for engaging the family to formulate a plan to alleviate any identified risk factors. This position may require after‑hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.
Family‑in‑Home You would provide in‑home intervention to families where abuse, neglect, and/or dependency was substantiated, or the family was determined to need services to prevent children from being taken into custody, reduce risk, and alleviate well‑being concerns. This position may require after‑hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.
Permanency Planning You would provide a safe and nurturing home to children who have been placed into the custody of the Department of Social Services. A permanency planning worker assesses, evaluates, identifies risks to children and develops a plan for service allowing children to have permanency within one year. This position may require after hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.
Essential Functions
Assess needs of individuals and/or families; provide counseling and services in individual and group settings; develop Family Service Agreement.
Assist clients in completion of required paperwork for items that may determine program eligibility, referrals, or provide job assistance, such as job application.
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups to determine services required.
Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance.
Provide, find, or arrange support services such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes.
Determine clients' eligibility for sponsored programs and financial assistance; ensure timely benefits and referrals.
Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior and implement solutions.
Monitor residential facilities for compliance with licensure standards, provide technical assistance, investigate complaints against licensed facilities.
Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports.
Transport clients (adults and children) to appointments such as medical, job related or others, if appropriate.
Manage records and documentation of services provided and maintain history records.
Complete court reports and testify in juvenile and adult court hearings.
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow‑ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, medical and behavioral health providers, and other contacts to help children and adults who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
Work varying shifts to include evenings and weekends.
Staff shelters in the event of a disaster.
Minimum Qualifications Experience: > Bachelor’s degree in social work AND two years of social work experience, qualifying internship, or successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program.
OR master’s in social work.
OR bachelor’s degree in a related major AND two years of social work experience.
OR master’s degree in a related major AND two years of social work experience.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related major.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted:
Yes.
Licenses and Certifications
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License.
County Driving Privileges.
Annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check required.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree preferred.
Bilingual applicants (Spanish and English) preferred; may be required to pass County’s Bilingual Assessment for paid premium.
Human Services‑related degrees (Clinical Social Work, Counseling, Criminology/Criminal Justice, Gerontology, Human Development Learning, Human Services, Psychology, Social Science, Sociology, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge:
Intermediate knowledge of social services procedures, practices, and methods.
Knowledge of work principles and available resources.
Social services procedures, practices, and methods.
Social services related federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance and social welfare.
Case management methods and techniques.
Services offered by the county and other local public and private community‑based service agencies.
Skills:
Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met.
Exercising judgment and discretion.
Maintaining confidential records.
Managing and executing multiple tasks.
Strong communication skills.
Prioritizing work.
Abilities:
Adaptability – maintain effectiveness during major changes.
Building Customer Loyalty – meet customer needs, build relationships.
Building Partnerships – identify opportunities and build strategic relationships.
Building Trust – instill confidence in intentions.
Care Management – secure patient care data and identify key issues.
Communication – convey information clearly to individuals or groups.
Customer Focus – ensure customer perspective drives decisions.
Decision Making – identify issues, compare data, take action.
Inspiring Others – guide individuals to higher performance.
Managing Conflict – reduce tension or conflict.
Work Standards – set high standards of performance.
Computer Skills Intermediate in various computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer Statement This is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
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We are currently recruiting for two crucial areas: Investigations, Family‑in‑Home, and Permanency Planning.
Investigations You would investigate and assess the needs of children involved in reports of alleged abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. You would also be responsible for engaging the family to formulate a plan to alleviate any identified risk factors. This position may require after‑hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.
Family‑in‑Home You would provide in‑home intervention to families where abuse, neglect, and/or dependency was substantiated, or the family was determined to need services to prevent children from being taken into custody, reduce risk, and alleviate well‑being concerns. This position may require after‑hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.
Permanency Planning You would provide a safe and nurturing home to children who have been placed into the custody of the Department of Social Services. A permanency planning worker assesses, evaluates, identifies risks to children and develops a plan for service allowing children to have permanency within one year. This position may require after hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.
Essential Functions
Assess needs of individuals and/or families; provide counseling and services in individual and group settings; develop Family Service Agreement.
Assist clients in completion of required paperwork for items that may determine program eligibility, referrals, or provide job assistance, such as job application.
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups to determine services required.
Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance.
Provide, find, or arrange support services such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes.
Determine clients' eligibility for sponsored programs and financial assistance; ensure timely benefits and referrals.
Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior and implement solutions.
Monitor residential facilities for compliance with licensure standards, provide technical assistance, investigate complaints against licensed facilities.
Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports.
Transport clients (adults and children) to appointments such as medical, job related or others, if appropriate.
Manage records and documentation of services provided and maintain history records.
Complete court reports and testify in juvenile and adult court hearings.
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow‑ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, medical and behavioral health providers, and other contacts to help children and adults who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
Work varying shifts to include evenings and weekends.
Staff shelters in the event of a disaster.
Minimum Qualifications Experience: > Bachelor’s degree in social work AND two years of social work experience, qualifying internship, or successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program.
OR master’s in social work.
OR bachelor’s degree in a related major AND two years of social work experience.
OR master’s degree in a related major AND two years of social work experience.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related major.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted:
Yes.
Licenses and Certifications
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License.
County Driving Privileges.
Annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check required.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree preferred.
Bilingual applicants (Spanish and English) preferred; may be required to pass County’s Bilingual Assessment for paid premium.
Human Services‑related degrees (Clinical Social Work, Counseling, Criminology/Criminal Justice, Gerontology, Human Development Learning, Human Services, Psychology, Social Science, Sociology, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge:
Intermediate knowledge of social services procedures, practices, and methods.
Knowledge of work principles and available resources.
Social services procedures, practices, and methods.
Social services related federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance and social welfare.
Case management methods and techniques.
Services offered by the county and other local public and private community‑based service agencies.
Skills:
Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met.
Exercising judgment and discretion.
Maintaining confidential records.
Managing and executing multiple tasks.
Strong communication skills.
Prioritizing work.
Abilities:
Adaptability – maintain effectiveness during major changes.
Building Customer Loyalty – meet customer needs, build relationships.
Building Partnerships – identify opportunities and build strategic relationships.
Building Trust – instill confidence in intentions.
Care Management – secure patient care data and identify key issues.
Communication – convey information clearly to individuals or groups.
Customer Focus – ensure customer perspective drives decisions.
Decision Making – identify issues, compare data, take action.
Inspiring Others – guide individuals to higher performance.
Managing Conflict – reduce tension or conflict.
Work Standards – set high standards of performance.
Computer Skills Intermediate in various computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer Statement This is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr