Government Jobs
Investigative Social Worker / Trainee
Government Jobs, Asheville, North Carolina, United States, 28801
Investigative Social Worker / Trainee
Are you passionate about helping others and ensuring the safety of children? Buncombe County's Health and Human Services Department is seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our team as Investigative Social Workers or Trainees. This position offers a competitive salary range of $26.77 to $33.45 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. As an Investigative Social Worker or Trainee, you will play a vital role in determining the validity and severity of child abuse or neglect reports. Your work will ensure that children and families in crisis receive the necessary support and resources to address identified issues. This posting is for ongoing recruitment for the Social Work Investigations division. We are looking for professionals who thrive in fast-paced environments and are committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families. The position can be hired as a fully-qualified Investigation, Assessment, & Treatment Social Worker (IATSW) or as an IATSW Trainee, depending on candidate qualifications. The pay range for IATSW Trainee is $26.77/hour, while IATSW ranges from $28.65/hour to $33.45/hour, based on education and experience above minimum qualifications. As an IATSW Trainee, candidates will be expected to advance to an IATSW position once fully qualified, at which time they will be promoted and compensated accordingly. Buncombe County is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects our diverse community. If you are interested in this position but are unsure if you meet the exact qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We use a substantial equivalency standard to determine if applicants are qualified. Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application. Social workers are required to work in the office for their first six months of employment to ensure they receive the appropriate level of 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. Essential functions of the position include: Assessing the risk and safety of children in response to actual or suspected child neglect, abuse, or dependency through conducting thorough investigations. Developing and monitoring service plans with families involved in Child Protective Services and providing or referring services as needed. Providing direct services to children and their parents/caretakers to determine if abuse/neglect/dependency exist and provide ongoing intervention if warranted. Ensuring safety planning for children in compliance with state and federal statutes and policies. Assessing, supporting, supervising, and counseling families involved with child protective services to ensure child safety, wellbeing, and permanence. Preparing legal documents, court reports, and court testimony when warranted. Providing transportation on a limited basis to families when necessary to access services. Advising clients of the Department's mandated responsibilities, agency policies and procedures, and clients' rights. Establishing rapport with children, families, and appropriate professionals to provide a strengths-based, family-centered approach. Coordinating goal-directed visitation with birth family in accordance with Court orders and service agreements. Developing and/or participating in Child and Family Team to ensure collaborative service planning and case coordination. Performing other related duties as assigned. Investigative Social Worker Trainee Minimum Education, Training, and/or Experience: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services or related field from an accredited college or university. Investigative Social Worker III Minimum Education, Training, and/or Experience: Master's degree in Social Work; or a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and one (1) year of directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services and two (2) years directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree in another field and three (3) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. BSW and Social Work Collaborative Students preferred. Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bilingual speakers preferred. License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: A current, valid North Carolina driver's license. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to prioritize, identify, and assess risks, problems, and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, emotionally confused, and resistant; Ability to effectively de-escalate individuals. Knowledge of medical, behavioral, and socio-economic problems and their treatment. Knowledge of numerous funding sources and how to utilize them. Knowledge of basic criminal justice procedures, elements of medical and mental disorders, personality theory, family systems dynamics, interpersonal relations, and cultural differences, values, and lifestyles. Skills in establishing constructive relationships with resistant clients and utilizing family-centered SW practice. Skills and counseling in interviewing and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively; and skills in creating resources when none are readily available. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to specific casework and community problems. Thorough knowledge of agency procedures and resources, community systems and resources, manual material, state and federal regulations, permanency planning philosophy, and laws governing protective services for children. In addition to competitive salaries, Buncombe County offers a rich benefits package, including an 8% contribution to our 401(k), which is a free contribution, not a match. We also have a state pension, to which Buncombe County contributes about 11%, and has a 5-year vesting period. In addition we have first-in-class health insurance and generous paid time off plan including 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave that roll over each year, and vacation accruals starting at 10 days per year which increases with service. Other resources, services, and opportunities for appreciation, engagement, and support include: No-cost physical therapy Employee & Family Health clinic Buncombe County University internal training program Free preventive screenings for employees and family members on the health insurance plan Employee Assistance Program Autoimmune program Condition care program Financial resources Lunch and learn series Financial Fridays
Learn about everything from best practices for car buying to debt management Employee Spotlights Annual employee service awards Lake Julian Festival of Lights employee appreciation night Employee 5K at Owen Park Up to eight weeks of paid parental and family care leave 16 hours of Community Service Leave 2 annual PTO days with the opportunity to earn two additional days by joining our voluntary wellness program In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions. 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, Buncombe County 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.
Are you passionate about helping others and ensuring the safety of children? Buncombe County's Health and Human Services Department is seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our team as Investigative Social Workers or Trainees. This position offers a competitive salary range of $26.77 to $33.45 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. As an Investigative Social Worker or Trainee, you will play a vital role in determining the validity and severity of child abuse or neglect reports. Your work will ensure that children and families in crisis receive the necessary support and resources to address identified issues. This posting is for ongoing recruitment for the Social Work Investigations division. We are looking for professionals who thrive in fast-paced environments and are committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families. The position can be hired as a fully-qualified Investigation, Assessment, & Treatment Social Worker (IATSW) or as an IATSW Trainee, depending on candidate qualifications. The pay range for IATSW Trainee is $26.77/hour, while IATSW ranges from $28.65/hour to $33.45/hour, based on education and experience above minimum qualifications. As an IATSW Trainee, candidates will be expected to advance to an IATSW position once fully qualified, at which time they will be promoted and compensated accordingly. Buncombe County is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects our diverse community. If you are interested in this position but are unsure if you meet the exact qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We use a substantial equivalency standard to determine if applicants are qualified. Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application. Social workers are required to work in the office for their first six months of employment to ensure they receive the appropriate level of 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. Essential functions of the position include: Assessing the risk and safety of children in response to actual or suspected child neglect, abuse, or dependency through conducting thorough investigations. Developing and monitoring service plans with families involved in Child Protective Services and providing or referring services as needed. Providing direct services to children and their parents/caretakers to determine if abuse/neglect/dependency exist and provide ongoing intervention if warranted. Ensuring safety planning for children in compliance with state and federal statutes and policies. Assessing, supporting, supervising, and counseling families involved with child protective services to ensure child safety, wellbeing, and permanence. Preparing legal documents, court reports, and court testimony when warranted. Providing transportation on a limited basis to families when necessary to access services. Advising clients of the Department's mandated responsibilities, agency policies and procedures, and clients' rights. Establishing rapport with children, families, and appropriate professionals to provide a strengths-based, family-centered approach. Coordinating goal-directed visitation with birth family in accordance with Court orders and service agreements. Developing and/or participating in Child and Family Team to ensure collaborative service planning and case coordination. Performing other related duties as assigned. Investigative Social Worker Trainee Minimum Education, Training, and/or Experience: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services or related field from an accredited college or university. Investigative Social Worker III Minimum Education, Training, and/or Experience: Master's degree in Social Work; or a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and one (1) year of directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services and two (2) years directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree in another field and three (3) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. BSW and Social Work Collaborative Students preferred. Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bilingual speakers preferred. License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: A current, valid North Carolina driver's license. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to prioritize, identify, and assess risks, problems, and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, emotionally confused, and resistant; Ability to effectively de-escalate individuals. Knowledge of medical, behavioral, and socio-economic problems and their treatment. Knowledge of numerous funding sources and how to utilize them. Knowledge of basic criminal justice procedures, elements of medical and mental disorders, personality theory, family systems dynamics, interpersonal relations, and cultural differences, values, and lifestyles. Skills in establishing constructive relationships with resistant clients and utilizing family-centered SW practice. Skills and counseling in interviewing and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively; and skills in creating resources when none are readily available. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to specific casework and community problems. Thorough knowledge of agency procedures and resources, community systems and resources, manual material, state and federal regulations, permanency planning philosophy, and laws governing protective services for children. In addition to competitive salaries, Buncombe County offers a rich benefits package, including an 8% contribution to our 401(k), which is a free contribution, not a match. We also have a state pension, to which Buncombe County contributes about 11%, and has a 5-year vesting period. In addition we have first-in-class health insurance and generous paid time off plan including 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave that roll over each year, and vacation accruals starting at 10 days per year which increases with service. Other resources, services, and opportunities for appreciation, engagement, and support include: No-cost physical therapy Employee & Family Health clinic Buncombe County University internal training program Free preventive screenings for employees and family members on the health insurance plan Employee Assistance Program Autoimmune program Condition care program Financial resources Lunch and learn series Financial Fridays
Learn about everything from best practices for car buying to debt management Employee Spotlights Annual employee service awards Lake Julian Festival of Lights employee appreciation night Employee 5K at Owen Park Up to eight weeks of paid parental and family care leave 16 hours of Community Service Leave 2 annual PTO days with the opportunity to earn two additional days by joining our voluntary wellness program In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions. 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, Buncombe County 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.