General Statement of Duties

The Davidson County Department of Social Services is seeking to hire an Adult Protective Services Social Worker to provide social work services to individuals who have been identified as victims or potential victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or dependency as defined by North Carolina General Statues.  This individual shall provide services to families while making a thorough assessment of strengths and needs, safety, and family supports.   The individual shall perform technical work assessing disabled adults for a wide variety of program.  Work is supervised by a Social Work Supervisor III. 

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for providing assessment, case planning and management, documentation, court involvement and supervision to the Adult Services Unit (including, but not limited to, Adult Protective Services).  This is an advanced level social work involving the provision of direct and indirect casework to adults requiring protective services.  Cases in these areas require an immediate response to a crisis for the client.  Consequently, the social worker must be able to analyze the situation and determine an appropriate course of action in a short time span.  There are, additionally, legally mandated time spans in which action must be taken in protective services evaluations.  There may be occasions with the Social Worker will have to work after 5:00 pm to meet the needs of the families.   Work is performed under the regular supervision of the SW Supervisor III.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Assesses disabled adults in private living dwellings and long-term care facilities for a wide variety of programs necessary to alleviate the problems that led to DSS Adult Services involvement (i.e. Adult Protective Services, guardianship, placement, in-home aid services, special assistance, and etc.) and offers referrals to community resources to enhance independent functioning.
• Responsible for working with vulnerable adults.
• Assesses referrals of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation of disabled adults to determine if the client is in danger and/or at risk of harm and in need of immediate intervention; interviews victims, family, caregivers and alleged perpetrators to complete a comprehensive assessment of risks, strengths and needs of the client.
• Ability to react quickly to incoming reports and be efficient in case documentation and meeting state mandated processing time frames. Responsible for in-depth assessment of disabled adults and family dynamics; assessing needs, treatment of adults with acute to severe medical and or/emotional disorders and mental illness, and providing information to the court. 
• Assesses adult’s capacity to manage his/her own affairs, situation to determine services needed.
• Works with medical, mental health providers and law enforcement to assist in determining if client is in danger and/or at risk of harm and in need of immediate intervention.
• Works with client and/or family to jointly develop goals based on identified needs.
• Identifies activities to accomplish set goals within a realistic time period.
• Reviews client’s progress and modifies goals, as needed.
• Works with supervisor to make case decisions and to review progress in case planning.
• Completes re-assessments annually to determine progress made and to identify new goals.
• Diffuses crisis situations, consults with other professionals and provides counseling and education to clients, families and community agencies.
• Prepares and maintains all case records and documentation in accordance with State and agency protocol.
• Maintains employee records in accordance with service manuals and agency policy.
• Files petitions for individuals who are alleged to be incompetent and in need of a substitute decision-maker.
• Files involuntary commitment petitions to assure safety of individuals who are a danger to themselves and/or others.
• Prepares court documents and reports as required by law.
• Consults with agency attorney and represents the agency in court.
• Adheres to the county and state rules, policies and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned, such as shelter duty or supporting the work of other teams or workers.
• This position may be required to work after hours – nights and/or weekends responding to emergency situations.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledgeable of policies and procedures pertaining to client eligibility.
• Knowledgeable of other internal programs and community agencies in order to identify appropriate programs to alleviate the client’s needs.
• Ability to accurately assess client’s needs and determine whether those needs can be met by available programs.
• Ability to deal with families and the public who may not agree with the law, rules, or policy of the process.
• Must have good interviewing and communication skills both verbal and written.
• Ability to provide written documentation in case records.
• Ability to provide expert resolution skills in negotiation of complex cases.
• Ability to discern and document important information.
• Knowledge of community and area resources.
• Must have good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to counsel clients and effectively advocate for them.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with other units in the department, other County departments and outside local and state agencies.
• Ability to assess and evaluate human problems and needs.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Worker performs light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Worker is required to have close visual acuity to work on a computer terminal and perform extensive reading.
• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
• Worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin:  fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases or poor ventilation.
• The worker is in contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids during the performance of his/her duties.
• The worker is subject to various types of insects, rodents and animals (fleas, roaches, mice, dogs, etc.)

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only); Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid North Carolina Driver License.