Sr. Social Worker; Adult Guardianship

Role Summary

The Forsyth County Department of Social Services is hiring a Senior Social Worker for its Adult Guardianship program. This person will make decision‑making for individuals who have been adjudicated incompetent by the courts, including medical decisions, housing, vocational or educational pursuits, and general care and maintenance. The decisions are made on behalf of the agency’s director, who serves as the actual guardian of the person.

This is a mandated position, as the agency director cannot refuse court appointments.

• Decision‑making on behalf of the agency’s director for individuals adjudicated incompetent by courts.
• Managing medical, housing, vocational, educational, and general care decisions.
• Investigating alleged neglect or abuse; conducting in‑depth assessment of family dynamics and needs.
• Assessing and treating patients or families with acute to severe medical and/or emotional disorders and mental illnesses.
• Serving as expert witness at court hearings for the Department of Social Services.
• Providing advanced social work activities for complex case referrals involving highly vulnerable client populations with difficult psychosocial issues.
• Building community capacity to prevent and alleviate social problems through social change.
• Assisting with after‑hours emergencies and on‑call phone for Adult Protective Services/Guardianship as needed.
• Providing services to both aging/medically fragile and mental health populations.
• Meeting state‑mandated case‑processing time frames and completing required documentation and paperwork.

Primary work hours are Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m.‑5:00 p.m. with some flexibility in scheduling due to rotations of Adult Services Intake duties or after‑hours emergencies.

• Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; or
• Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative; or
• Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work with one year directly related experience; or
• Master’s degree in counseling in a human services field with one year of social work or counseling; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university with two years directly related experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with three years of directly related experience.

Valid driver’s license required. Social workers must possess a valid driver’s license as they will make use of county vehicles for regular field visits.

Bilingual candidates (English/Spanish) preferred.

• Thorough knowledge of basic social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems.
• Comfort working with vulnerable adults and a sincere interest in their care and protection.
• Ability to react quickly to incoming reports and be efficient in case management documentation and meeting state‑mandated case‑processing time frames.
• Keen assessment skills, professional judgment abilities, ethical standards, and strict adherence to statutes, policies, and procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Collaborating with the family to provide ongoing assessment of their needs.
• Reviewing and monitoring progress on established goals.
• Referring families to appropriate community resources.
• Completing required documentation and paperwork.
• Working within the guidelines of state‑mandated time frames.
• Writing court reports and presenting the information in court.