Social Worker IAT; 3rd Shift

Gaston Social Services:
Protecting, caring for and empowering children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves through the administrating of federal, state and county programs focused on improving the well‑being of our citizens.

The goal of the Gaston County Human Services Center and Division of Social Services is to foster an agency which is professionally responsive to our citizens' needs through daily caring outreach and simultaneously serve as an advocate for those in need. We strive to be community‑minded and community‑spirited. We abide by federal, state and county operating instructions in providing services and we assist welfare recipients in attaining self‑sufficiency.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $30.43 - $36.14

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Works a night duty schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays. Provides constant coverage of the Child Abuse Hotline by responding timely to callers who contacted the Child Abuse Hotline. Responsibilities include gathering, exploring, documenting, interpreting, evaluating, and staffing with superior’s information from reporters of child protective services issues via telephone calls, office visits, mail and e‑mails. This worker is responsible for making a recommendation to superiors as to whether the information reported meets North Carolina statutory definitions and NCDHHS‑Division of Social Services Policy guidance around abuse, neglect, and dependency of children.
  
  This worker must conduct responsibilities in a hasty and time‑sensitive manner in order to facilitate the initiation of accepted Child Protective Services Reports within required time frames. This worker is responsible for evaluating needs and referring to helping agencies, in addition to evaluating appropriateness for DHHS interventions.

• Assesses reports of abuse, neglect, or dependency of children using either a forensic investigative assessment approach or a family assessment approach depending on the severity of the maltreatment reported, and in accordance with state law and divisional policy governing such. Preliminary reviews existing DSS documentation (if such exists) and staffs response process with Supervisor. Conducts a comprehensive initiation of Child Protective Services reports including interviews of all victim children, all caretakers, all persons living in the home, all appropriate collaterals (as indicated by both the reporter and the family being investigated), and all other persons, entities, agencies, professionals, relatives, etc.
  
  who might have knowledge about family relationships, behaviors, and incident (or incidences) that prompted the report to DSS. Works collaboratively with law enforcement, and prosecutors on joint investigations of forensic nature. Follows mandated time frames and procedures for appropriate initiation and continuous process of assessment. Observes the home structure and environment, ensuring that persons, provisions, and location are able to meet the basic needs of each child involved in the report.
  
  Completes safety assessments and other tools as appropriate with the family to promote transparent process. When necessary, explores alternative safety resource placement option with the family, in order to avoid removal of physical or legal custody.

• Completes referrals from daytime staff by responding to and completing requested activities for Child Protective Services and Foster Care cases as needed after hours. Responds to emergencies that arise outside of office hours.

• Invokes court action when children cannot be safe in their own homes, seeking direction through legal consultation, and completion/filing of all necessary court paperwork. Accompanies law enforcement to take physical custody of child(ren).

• Participates in forensic joint interview at the local Child Advocacy Center on appropriate cases (with law enforcement and any other appropriate professionals).

• Participates in unit/team staffing on a weekly basis, presenting completed case assessments…