Investigative Social Worker​/Trainee

Overview

Job Title: Investigative Social Worker / Trainee

Department: Health and Human Services

Hiring Range: $26.77 – $33.45

Position summary: Investigators and Assessors work to determine the validity and severity of child abuse or neglect reports. They ensure that children and families in crisis receive needed services. Buncombe County seeks fast-paced, passionate, and engaging human services professionals to join the Social Work Department in Buncombe County, NC. This posting is for ongoing recruitment for the Social Work Investigations division.

The position may be hired as a fully-qualified Investigation, Assessment, and Treatment Social Worker (IATSW) or as an IATSW Trainee depending on candidate qualifications. The pay range for IATSW Trainee is $26.77/hour and IATSW is $28.65/hour to $33.45/hour, depending on education and experience above minimum qualifications. As an IATSW Trainee, employment will progress to the IATSW role upon full qualification with promotion and corresponding compensation.

Inclusion and equivalency: Buncombe County is committed to building an inclusive workforce representative of our diverse community. If you are interested but unsure you meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. Buncombe County uses a substantial equivalency standard to determine eligibility.

Note:

Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application. Social workers are required to work in the office (no teleworking) for the first 6 months to ensure appropriate support and training.

The primary purpose of this position is to ensure child safety in compliance with state and federal statutes regarding child protective services.

• Assess the risk and safety of children in response to actual or suspected child neglect, abuse, or dependency by conducting a thorough investigation of the home, school, and other locations or persons involved. This role requires the use of a personal vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

• Develop and monitor service plans with families involved in Child Protective Services and provide or refer services as needed. Make recommendations to the court, including services needed, progress and barriers to the permanent plan.

• Provide direct services to children and their parents/caretakers to conduct timely and comprehensive assessments to determine if abuse/neglect/dependency exists and provide ongoing intervention if warranted.

• Ensure safety planning for children in compliance with state and federal statutes and policies. If children cannot remain safely in their home, seek a petition to the court and/or non-secure custody.

• Assess, support, supervise, and counsel families involved with child protective services to ensure child safety, wellbeing, and permanence. Evaluate information to determine intervention appropriateness and required services.

• Prepare legal documents, court reports, and court testimony when warranted in compliance with statutes and policies. Ensure documentation is completed and maintained timely and consistently in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.

• Provide transportation on a limited basis to families when necessary to access services addressing safety and wellbeing issues.

• Advise clients of the Department’s mandated responsibilities, agency policies and procedures, and clients’ rights.

• Establish rapport with children, families, and professionals/non-professionals to provide a strengths-based, family-centered approach throughout child welfare involvement.

• Coordinate goal-directed visitation with birth family in accordance with court orders and service agreements.

• Develop and/or participate in a Child and Family Team to ensure collaborative service planning and case coordination among multiple service providers.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Investigative Social Worker Trainee

Minimum Education , Training and/or

Experience:

Candidate will have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Human Services, or related field from an accredited college or university.

Investigative Social Worker III

Minimum Education , Training…