Social Worker IAT - START - Jackson County, NC : Job Details

Salary: $32,522.59 - $48,050.68 AnnuallyLocation : 15 Griffin StreetSylva, NCJob Type: Permanent, Full-TimeJob Number: 20250010Department: Social ServicesOpening Date: 01/20/2025Closing Date: 2/14/2025 5:00 PM EasternFLSA: Exempt Position Overview The START worker (child welfare caseworker) will serve as part of a worker/family mentor dyad on the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) child welfare unit, whose goal is to reduce the number of children entering out-of-home care by providing more intensive services and supports to the family, as well as to improve reunification and reduce the rate of children reentering out-of-home care.Salary Range: $32,522.59 - $48,050.68 depending upon education and experience. Will accept work-against applications.Work Schedule: The Social Worker is scheduled to operate from the office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the worker is assigned to cover any emergency arising during this time. This worker may be required to provide on-call after-hours duties as needed to respond to emergencies received by law enforcement departments in the county. The Social Worker may vary the work schedule to accommodate the individual needs of the clients. Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor child safety while engaging and supporting parents, children, relatives, caregivers, and foster parents about child safety and parental recovery.
• Employees analyze situations and determine appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions
• The START worker will serve as a team member in planning, supporting, and implementing strategies to develop a safe, nurturing, and stable living situation for families with substance use disorders (SUDs). Employee may provide group, family or individual treatment to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problem.
• Employees typically report to a Social Work Supervisor Ill under general supervision.
• Employees may have in-home/permanent plan and START roles or may have separate functions depending on the size and organizational structure of the departments of Social Services.
• Employees manage a caseload of clients struggling with substance abuse issues.
• Work may involve providing treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients of any age and/or with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problem including abused, neglected or homeless children.
• Work includes clinical and social assessment of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement in foster care or residential facilities.
• Employees provide expert testimony.
• The START worker will assess ongoing child safety and family situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to ensure child safety and to meet family needs.
• START worker will make case decisions jointly with the family based on guidelines provided by the supervisor, standard procedures and practices, reference materials, and/or organizational policy.
• Follow state and federal laws, program rules, directives, policies and regulations, professional ethics and quality assurance standards.
• START worker will work closely with their family mentor partner, supervisor, fellow START staff, and community stakeholders in partnership.
• Work is reviewed by unit supervisors, program managers or higher-level administrators, usually on a routine basis.
• Integrate safety planning and case planning treatment goals, and recovery maintenance plan into comprehensive, attainable goals.
• Maintain case records, prepare reports, complete referrals, and needed case plans for treatment planning.

Education and Experience

• A master's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or
• a Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience;
• or Master's degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience;
• or a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience;
• or graduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human services field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.

Possession of a valid, State of North Carolina driver's license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of social work theory, techniques and practices, individual and group behavior, social problems, medical and mental illness, family dynamics, coping behavior, crisis intervention, and treatment of various medical and mental diseases and social issues.
• Possess thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children;
• Possess thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law;
• Possess thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
• Possess considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Ability to interact and motivate a resistant involuntary client population and the public who may not agree with the laws, rules or policies of the process or the programs; Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for the court, case records and treatment plans; ability to testify as an expert witness;
• Ability to make decisions that affect children and their families and are often made under stressful and sometimes dangerous situations. Many decisions must be made immediately or with little time for consultation.
• Ability to employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services;
• Ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client environment during daylight hours, after dark and in high crime areas;
• Ability to employ expert negotiation skills in the most complex cases;
• Ability to analyze and assess child development safety issues in relation to risk factors; ability to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about r??moving children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information and limited access to consultation;
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.

Jackson County provides a robust offering of employee benefits including: employer paid medical and dental benefits, participation in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, paid leave (vacation, sick, and holiday), Employee Clinic, Wellness program, and supplemental benefit offerings. A full overview of benefits is available at