Social Worker I (FC)

Joining the team at Gaston County Government means being part of a community that is dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. We are a dynamic organization that values innovation, collaboration, and commitment to service.

As an employee of Gaston County, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community every day. Whether you are working in public safety, social services, or administration, your contributions will help improve the lives of our residents and build a better future for our county.

Description

Gaston Social Services: Protecting, caring for and empowering children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves through the administrating of federal, state and county programs focused on improving the well-being of our citizens.

The goal of the Gaston County Human Services Center and Division of Social Services is to foster an agency which is professionally responsive to our citizens' needs through daily caring outreach and simultaneously serve as an advocate for those in need. We strive to be community-minded and community-spirited. We abide by federal, state and county operating instructions in providing services and we assist welfare recipients in attaining self-sufficiency.

Examples of Duties

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $20.43 - $24.26

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

Assists in the completion of foster care home visits in compliance with state statues and corresponding operating policies and procedures. Assists in the completing collateral contacts under the supervision of senior social workers. Assists clients in accessing services, providing assistance with program applications and monitoring participation/progress.

Schedules and facilitates Child and Family Team meetings under the guidance and supervision of senior social worker.
Provides children emotional support when dealing with changes in their environment. Reports and documents any information, observation of behavior, or interaction with children that may be helpful.
Testifies in court to give testimony of observations.
Completes CPS case history and history profiles.
Builds collaborative relationships with outside agencies.
Assists with adoption child profiles and preplacement assessments. Assists client in understanding medical orders/routines and encourages compliance.
Completes forms for clients such as physical forms, school enrollment forms, free lunch forms, group home applications, foster home applications, and other related forms.
Prepares, maintains, and submits reports of observations and time spent in provision of services as required.

• Attends case conferences and other meetings as assigned. Performs other tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited institution.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and one year of directly related experience.
• A valid driver's license is required.

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to adjust to changing work and climate in order to meet the needs of a multi-cultural, ever-chaninging clientele, as well as the ability to multi-task, deal with intense inter-personal familial situations that might involve danger, violence, safety risks, and operate in a calm and reasonable manner (versus recationary). The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, coupled with robust problem-solving and organizational proficiencies. Moreover, the candidate must maintain strict confidentiality, and exhibit a high ethical standard at all times.

**A copy of a transcript must be included with the application.**FAILURE TO ATTACH YOUR TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING REJECTED.

Additional Information

The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment.

*In compliance with G.S.153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.*

At Gaston County, we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, job applicants, and members of the community we serve. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws.

Gaston County will not sponsor applicants for work visas.