Social Worker III Government Job Dept-Health and Human Services Full Time

Buncombe County is a caring community in harmony with its environment where citizens succeed, thrive, and realize their potential. Our mission is to promote a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community with a sustainable quality of life; to provide effective and efficient government our citizens can trust; and to deliver needed service through a responsive work force committed to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Job Title:  Social Worker III

Purpose of the position:

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

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience:

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 one (1) year directly related experience; 0r Master’s degree in a human services field and one (1) year of directly related experience; or Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years directly related experience; or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of directly related experience.

Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

Physical Requirements: 

The work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.  The work is primarily light work requiring exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Essential Functions of the position:

Adult Protective Service

Evaluate reports of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of aged and disabled adults.

Develop and implement treatment plans to provide for the safety and wellbeing of all aged and disabled adults who are found to be in need of protection and either adult or legal representative consents to such services.

Assess clients need for Guardianship and when appropriate petition the court to carry out the intent of the Guardianship Statues 35A.

Assist individuals and families with the identification of health needs and in securing needed health services.

Identify, develop, and coordinate community resources, including creating resources when they are lacking.

Establish rapport with clients, families and appropriate professionals/non-professionals in the community to provide a strengths-based, person centered approach in working with aged and disabled adults throughout the protective service system.

Adult Home Services

Investigate allegations of rule violations in Adult Care Homes according to General Statutes and policy guidelines.

Monitor rule compliance of Adult Care Homes and report compliance or non-compliance to DHSR.

Issue Corrective Action Reports to address non-compliance and monitor progress in resolution of deficient practice.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Thorough understanding and working knowledge of State and federal policy, agency procedures, Adult Services Standards and mandates for adult protective service practice and service delivery.

Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems.

Knowledge of basic community systems and resources, including physical and mental health services, adult services, substance abuse resources, domestic violence, housing, and other applicable areas.

Considerable knowledge of medical and psychological illnesses which impair an adults decision making abilities.

Must be proficient in preparing petitions requesting protective services, ex parte, emergency and regular orders, guardianship petitions for the protection of aged and disabled adults and at providing expert testimony when needed in court cases.

Ability to prioritize, identify and assess risks, problems and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, have a history of trauma and may be resistant.

Able to identify and/or develop resources when none are known or available and to coordinate services for clients with multi-disciplinary professionals.

Skill in establishing constructive relationships with clients who may be resistant and utilizing person-centered SW practice.

Department:Health and Human Services Location: Asheville, NCJob Posting End Date: April 20, 2022Salary Range: $30.37 – $31.73

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee’s unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition the Agency expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.