Social Worker III - Adult Protective Services

Position Overview

This position investigates reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and provides ongoing case management for substantiated adult protective services cases. The position also provides extensive ongoing case management for guardian ships, payee ships, individual and family adjustment services, general intake, community outreach services. Grade 24

Work Schedule:

The Social Worker is scheduled to operate from the office between the hours of 8:00 a.m.

- 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the worker is assigned to cover any emergency arising during this time. This position requires on-call responsibilities after-hours, on weekends, and during holidays on an as needed/scheduled basis and will need to respond to emergencies received by law enforcement departments in the county. The Social Worker may vary the work schedule to accommodate the individual needs of the clients.

Work involves investigation of alleged adult neglect and abuse, substantiation of the alleged neglect or abuse as prescribed by federal and state guidelines, providing expert testimony in court hearings, and following-up with case management and preventive services for clients.

Employees analyze situations and determine appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions.

Employees may provide group, family or individual treatment to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problem.

Employees typically report to a Social Work Supervisor Ill under general supervision.

Employees may have combined investigative and treatment roles or may have separate functions depending on the size and organizational structure of the departments of Social Services.

Employees manage a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases.

Work may involve providing treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problem including abused, neglected or homeless adults.

Work includes clinical and social investigation, assessment of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement.

Employees provide expert testimony.

Employees exercise considerable judgment in determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred, to what extent and how it occurred. The selection of appropriate treatment requires significant understanding of their personalities based on assessments and interviews.

Follow state and federal laws, program rules, directives, policies and regulations, professional ethics and quality assurance standards.

Work is jointly planned with members of multidisciplinary teams or protective services committees and supervisors.

Legal precedents are used in some settings.

Work is reviewed by unit supervisors, program managers or higher-level administrators, usually on a routine basis.

Assessments, interviews and service treatment decisions affect the safety and well being of adults in abuse and neglect situations.

A master's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or

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; or

Graduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human services field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or

An equivalent combination of training and experience.

One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.

Possession of a valid, State of North Carolina driver's license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.

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