Social Worker III - Adult Protective Services

Overview

Position:
Adult Protective Services (APS) Social Worker III in Services For Adults (SFA), part of the Adult Services Division of the Mecklenburg County Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services. The APS Social Worker III evaluates and assesses the need for protective services for adults alleged to be abused, neglected, or exploited. The role provides social work services to older adults and adults with disabilities referred to the agency and requires direct client intervention, collaboration with collaterals and other professionals, and outreach to community resources.

• Provide direct social work intervention with adult clients, collaterals, other professionals, and community resources.
• Engage in fast-paced settings with legal interventions, crisis situations (medical and mental health), and in-home/community visits.
• Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends, including in-home visits on weekends; may be required to complete after-hours and weekend in-home visits.
• Work during emergency situations and at emergency shelters as needed.
• Assess needs of individuals and families; interview clients to obtain relevant information; determine eligibility for financial assistance and referrals; develop and evaluate service plans in consultation with clients; coordinate benefits and referrals; transport clients to appointments when appropriate.
• Manage records and documentation; prepare reports of services provided; liaise with other staff and agencies; participate in team case conferences.
• Address legal issues, evaluate need for protective services, assist with hearings, and provide testimony for custody arrangements.
• Assist clients with obtaining or arranging support services such as childcare, homemaker services, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, parenting classes, or behavioral health treatment.
• Place and facilitate appropriate placements for adults and evaluate home conditions and client characteristics.

• Experience:
  
  Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with three (3) years of social work experience or a qualifying internship; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field with 15 hours of social work/counseling coursework and four (4) years of social work experience; or Master’s degree in social work (MSW); or a master’s degree in a related field with three (3) years of social work experience.
• Education:
  
  See experience. Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?
  No
  .
• Licenses and
  
  Certifications:
  
  Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges.

• Master’s in Social Work (MSW) or closely related degree preferred.
• Previous Adult Protective Services experience highly preferred.
• Two years of recent experience working directly with adults diagnosed with mental illness and knowledge of NC services for mental illness; two years of experience as a social worker with adults with dementia and knowledge of NC services for dementia.
• Excellent writing and verbal skills for discussion and presentation in various settings including court; proficiency with Microsoft Office and the Department’s software; ability to travel in North Carolina in a county vehicle.
• Strong organizational skills to set priorities and handle crises without compromising deadlines.

• Knowledge:
  General social work principles, available resources, social services procedures and laws; case management methods; local service agencies.
• Skills:
  
  Prioritizing work; handling multiple tasks; maintaining confidential records; computer skills; sound judgment and discretion.
• Abilities:
  Adaptability; building customer loyalty and partnerships; building trust; care management; effective communication; customer focus; decision making; inspiring others; conflict management; maintaining work standards.

Office setting with moderate noise.

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.