Social Worker - IA&T Job Brevard area,North Carolina USA,Social Work

This position provides protective, investigative, counseling and case management services for children who are at risk for neglect and/or abuse in Transylvania County and may involve assessment, in‑home or foster care cases as needed.

Responsibilities

Investigate and assess new protective service reports by observing children, identifying verbal and non‑verbal behavior, interviewing children, obtaining medical and psychological evaluations, gathering data from families, schools, community, extended family, friends, or acquaintances, and interviewing family members about alleged abuse or neglect and overall functioning.

Manage a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases, providing treatment in group, family, or individual therapy to clients of any age with developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse, or family problems, including abused, neglected, or homeless children. Perform clinical and social investigation, assessment of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment, placement in foster care or residential facilities, and provide expert testimony.

Assess family dynamics and severity of abuse and neglect using Structured Decision‑Making Tools and best practice skills to determine risk and immediacy of the problem and risk to the child. Determine if immediate intervention is necessary by removing children from the home and initiating appropriate juvenile court action. Arrange services for families and children as needed.

Write court petitions with clear, concise and cogent grounds, accurate description of abuse or neglect, and accounting of reasonable efforts to avoid court intervention. Include a plan of intervention and consult with agency attorney to outline the court case, including testimony of employee, children, witnesses, and other professionals.

Conduct regular proactive work with families, including face‑to‑face contact with children and caretakers through home visits and field contacts in schools and day‑care centers, applying family‑centered practice skills.

Maintain timely and accurate documentation in the case file, including structured decision‑making tools, narrative documentation, and copies of evaluations or records to support case decisions and actions. Work is reviewed by unit supervisors, program managers or higher‑level administrators on a routine basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Abilities to identify and prioritize problem elements under stress; conduct crisis interviewing and counseling to take charge, defuse, and manage crises by utilizing resources; observe human behavior and environmental conditions; process data quickly to recommend and implement sound actions; operate in isolated, stress‑laden environments; possess thorough knowledge of community resources, state and federal regulations, medical and mental disorders; apply interpersonal helping and treatment modalities;

establish constructive relationships with resistant clients; coordinate services with multidisciplinary professionals.

Minimum Education and Experience

Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience (one year can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative).
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience (one year can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative).
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.
Graduation from a four‑year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling, or a related human service field providing experience in casework, group work, or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

* Candidates who do not meet these standards may be considered for SW Trainee, SW I, SW II, or SW III, depending upon relevant education and experience.

Additional Training/Experience

Child Protective Services workers must complete…