Social Worker III – Adoptions Social Worker

Do you have a deep passion for children's welfare? Are you driven by the desire to assist children in their journey toward adoption? Do you enjoy playing a role in connecting children with their forever families? If you answered affirmatively, then this position is ideal for you!

This position provides counseling and case management services to children who are legally cleared for adoption and in the custody of the Department of Social Services. This position works efficiently towards achieving stability and permanency for children and provides a full range of adoption services, as well as post-adoption support services to adoptive families. Adoption services include but are not limited to legal work, emotional preparation of children for adoption, child-specific recruitment and assessment of prospective adoptive families, placements in approved homes, and the supervision of the placements.  

*NOTE* Two professional references are required, with at least one from a current or previous supervisor.

• Write comprehensive and high-quality pre-placement assessments;  
• Conduct monthly home visits to assess children and placement providers face-to-face and in their home environments per NC DHHS policies;
• Provide ongoing emotional support as well as ensure the overall health and well-being of children in foster care who are legally cleared for adoption;
• Conduct child-specific recruitment and actively work to identify prospective adoptive families for children; 
• Coordinate the medical, dental, educational, mental health, and psychiatric services for children in foster care; 
• Work collaboratively with a wide array of partners including youth, the Guardian ad Litem program, foster and adoptive families, treatment providers, and attorneys in working towards permanence for children;  
• Participate in Child and Family team meetings, Permanency Planning review meetings, Adoption Committee meetings, and other required meetings as needed;
• Prepare comprehensive court reports, participate in associated court proceedings, and testify in court as needed;
• Assist with the planning and attendance of adoption-related awareness events, celebrations, and ceremonies; 
• Complete thorough and timely documentation of case information per policy;
• Participate in the rotation for on-call for Children’s Services;  
• Participate in shelter operations or other weather-related incidents as needed;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. 

• Considerable knowledge of child welfare practice and policy including abuse, neglect, dependency, permanency planning, and adoption policies and procedures;
• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems;
• Considerable knowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral, and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory;
• Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, resources in the community, and laws, regulations, and policies that govern the Program;
• Ability to prepare documentation such as preplacement assessments, home studies, and court reports;  
• Considerable knowledge of the effects of trauma on children;
• Familiarity and understanding of the behavioral health system, the various levels of care needed for children and youth in foster care, and how to identify appropriate placements for children and youth in foster care;  
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions;
• Ability to effectively facilitate and train in 1:1, small, and large group settings;
• Demonstrate flexibility with scheduling to provide training during daytime and evening hours (occasional weekend work required);   
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from varying cultures and backgrounds via phone and through personal contact and provide equitable treatment to all; 
• Skilled in the ability to manage conflict, remain neutral and fair, engage people and build trust, and promote collaboration and consensus toward positive outcomes;
• Strong multi-tasking skills;
• Ability to prioritize work assignments;
• Ability to work independently and manage day-to-day tasks;
• Ability to plan and coordinate with both internal and external parties;  
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions;
• Ability to be flexible and to work as a team player;
• Ability to demonstrate good verbal and written communication and listening skills;
• Ability to demonstrate good public relations and customer service skills;
• Skill in operating standard office equipment such as computers, phones, fax machines, and scanners; 
• Ability to perform work using local and state technology systems including NCFAST, CWIS, Northwoods, iiReception, Microsoft Office, internet browsers, virtual meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and other commonly used electronic programs;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, department heads, peers, associates, and the general public.  

Physical Requirements
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force with the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing and repetitive motions, frequently requires touching or feeling and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing, balancing, reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas orally; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data; work is generally performed in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic.) Must be able to operate a vehicle and perform fieldwork.  

Work settings include the Department of Social Services, referral/resource agencies, and the homes of individuals.  Home visits are made to often crowded, unsanitary dwellings, which lack proper lighting, handicap access, and other amenities.  In addition, homes are often sub-standard and may be infested with pests.   The worker is exposed to regular traffic hazards and adverse weather conditions.

Special Requirements
**Must be fingerprinted and successfully pass a Criminal History Record Check with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (NCSBI)**

Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.

Must complete all applicable required training including Confidentiality, Civil Rights, FEMA and Red Cross Shelter Training, Bloodborne Pathogens, applicable child welfare training, new employee orientation, and Chatham County Department of Social Services Policy and Procedures.