Social Worker- CPS

Do you enjoy strengthening families and partnering with community stakeholders? Do you possess outstanding time management skills? Are you able to evaluate high risk situations and take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of children? Do you possess technical acumen specific to typing, utilization of a computer, laptop and work- related software; NC Fast and Laserfiche? Do you possess critical thinking skills?

Are you decisive and are you able to exercise appropriate judgement in establishing priorities? Are you able to maintain appropriate, professional boundaries? If so, please consider joining Pender County Department of Social Services as a Child Protective Services Social Worker IV.

Our agency is seeking an outgoing, organized, and experienced social worker to join our Child Protective Services Team. Daily, you will be assigned reports of child abuse, child neglect and dependency with an initiation response time of immediate or within a 24- or 72-hour time frame. Work is performed autonomously but in unison with various community partners to include law enforcement, the school system and medical and mental health providers.

We will provide you with 72 hours of paid, mandated pre-service training prior to assuming a caseload. Your primary role will be to assess the safety of children from birth-18 years of age in their home of origin using SDM tools, face to face home visits, following Division policy mandates and collateral information. During your assessment, contacts, collaterals, tools and disclosure will ensure the appropriate case decision is made to close out service delivery within 45 days or to identify the need for on-going services (In-Home service provision) or removal of the juvenile to include court intervention (foster care).

You will provide crisis intervention and continuous supportive services to children and families during the course of delivering protective services mandated by state law. Be prepared to answer questions, solve problems, provide education, frontload essential services, make appropriate referrals, request records and obtain signed consents.

As a social worker IV you will ensure Pender County Department of Social Services reputation for high-quality service provision is maintained by partnering with families, making sure that judgements can wait by all involved in the assessment process, ensuring everyone is respected, sharing power, making sure everyone is heard, believing that everyone has strengths and providing a platform for a fair assessment process which will ensure children’s safety and strengthen the families we are entrusted to serve.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide specialized services for maltreated children; abused, neglected, and or dependent, to ensure the minimum sufficient level of safety, wellbeing, and permanency is achieved.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to complete the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations may be requested by contacting Pender County Human Resources.

• Conduct intake activities, by gathering information via direct/indirect contacts to determine whether the report meets the statutory guidelines for maltreatment. Document information obtained from reporter in a clear, concise, thorough, and understandable manner.
• Complete state system checks to assess family dynamics and needs.
• Investigate and assess alleged child abuse, neglect, and dependency within policy guidelines.
• Visit clients in their residence to assess suitability of living conditions and capabilities.
• of parents and/or caretakers.
• Evaluate the presence and level of risk to the client; make decision to remove the client from unsuitable living conditions, according to legal guidelines and restrictions.
• Prepare extensive court reports and associated legal documents; testify in court; assist attorneys in the preparation of court actions; coordinate service of subpoenas; respond to inquiries regarding court actions.
• Transport children to protective facilities, appearances in court, scheduled appointments or visitation, and for other…