Job Description
JOB This position is located in the Children Services section. The work hours for the position are: Monday and Tuesday: 1 PM- 12AM; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 4 PM- 1 AM; Saturday and Sunday: 7 AM- 12AM. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES The primary purpose of this position is to provide coverage for the Cumberland County DSS after hours, on weekends, and on holidays. Program responsibility is in the Children's Services Section, with an objective of safety, permanence and wellbeing for children and vulnerable adults.Duties in this position include: Receiving referrals for abuse and exploitation for adult protective services; receiving and evaluating abuse, neglect, and dependency referrals for child protective services; providing direct services to the child and family in an attempt to protect the child from further neglect or abuse; planning with the family and arranging services as are necessary in treating the problems that need to be remedied; to invoke the authority of the courts when necessary for protection of the child; to make necessary arrangements for alternative care for a child(ren) who cannot remain in his own home; to continue to work with parents, child(ren), relatives, foster parents, and others as necessary to assure safe and healthy reunion of families. This worker must have a high level of self-awareness, must have or develop skills in diagnostic assessments of family functional and dysfunctional behavior, and have a high tolerance level for client aggressive behavior, as he/she carries an authoritative role. He/she will be offering service to high-risk families in complex situations. Court hearings and judicial mandated reviews are tasks to be performed in this position.Clients served by this position range in age from birth to the elderly. Problems may range from child abuse, neglect, and dependency to clients needing emergency housing assistance with fuel or food. Clients served come from different racial, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, although many are in financial need.Typical work hours are: Monday and Tuesday: 1 PM- 12AM; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 4 PM- 1 AM; Saturday and Sunday: 7 AM- 12AM. However, the person hired in this position should be prepared to work outside of those hours to meet our business needs. This shift consists of a 7 day on, 7 day off work week. Also, the worker in this position is on duty on holidays, weekends, and on days when the agency must close early or is closed all day due to weather problems, or heat/air conditioning problems with the agency's systems. Hours may be extended if there is a need (ex. doing a petition/going to court). SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children; thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law; thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory. 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 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 removing 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. Ability to perform manual work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The selected applicant will be subject to the following conditions prior to appointment. Failure to complete or fulfill these conditions may result in dismissal. The employee in this position will be operating motor vehicles for Cumberland County and shall have a valid North Carolina Driver's License. Each applicant who is tendered an offer for employment for any position with Cumberland County shall be tested for the use of drugs specified in the County policy. Refusal to submit to testing or