What You'll Be Doing

The Permanency Services Home Study Social Worker position is located within the Child Welfare Division. This position is responsible for conducting comprehensive home studies for cases open to Child Welfare. These home studies could include: Reunification, Foster, Adoption, Post-Permanency, Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children [ICPC] and Kinship assessments.

There are currently over 450 children in the custody of Wake County. This Social Worker will meet with families who, in some aspect, desire to support youth in foster care and conduct a global home study to assess for safety and fit of the prospective placement provider or adoptive parent(s), and use critical thinking to make recommendations regarding placement. This position could be responsible for completing ongoing assessments of bio family, foster, kinship, adoptive and guardianship family's needs and provide referral for services to assist in maintaining permanency for children.

The Home Study Team will be responsible for the evaluation of the respective caregiver’s ability to provide a safe living environment that meets the child's needs and educates and prepares the respective caregiver for the reunification, adoption or sustaining any other permanency plan for the child. The home study is conducted as a collaborative psycho-educational process in which the Home Study Team helps the caregiver identify areas where additional support, resources or information are needed to ensure successful permanency and/or treatment planning. They will subsequently provide assistance with accessing needed supports and services.

Essential Functions:

• Provide thorough home assessments for prospective foster or adoptive homes
• Participate in meetings designed to support permanency and wellbeing for youth
• Maintain detailed and accurate documentation
• Maintain effective and timely communication with internal and external partners
• Creative and diligent identification and accessing community resources that could support children and families being served

This position does require flexibility in the schedule to meet the needs of families being served.

About Our Team

Wake County Health & Human Services is the consolidation of programs and services that include social services, public health, behavioral health, job search assistance, child support, housing and transportation. Our mission is, in partnership with the community, will facilitate full access to high quality and effective health and human services for Wake County residents. In addition to our numerous standard programs, Wake County Health & Human Services (WCHHS) is engaged in a number of Special Initiatives that are impacting services and programs throughout our entire agency. Whether legislated down from the changing regulations on the Federal or State level or bubbling up from the entrepreneurial spirit of our staff, you can always look forward to Wake County Health & Human Services implementing new and exciting enhancements to our services and programs.

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field
• Three years of job-related experience
• Completion of the NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC) traineeship can be substituted for 1 year of experience
• Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted

• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)

• NC Pre-Service Training

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services (this includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction)
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Managing one's own time and the time of others
• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Communicating effectively and professionally in written and oral forms

About This Position

Location: Human Services Center Swinburne Raleigh, NC 27610

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:15 pm

Hiring Range: 28.40 - 38.34 Commensurate with Experience

Market Range: 28.40 - 48.28

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 7/12/2024

What Makes Wake Great

Home to the State Capital, Wake County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live, work and play. The central location of the County allows for a short drive to the spectacular mountains or coast. Wake County Government is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are elected at-large to serve two-year terms. Wake County Government has a general operating budget of $1.874 billion, employs over 4400 employees, experiences minimal turnover, and is an award-winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives; such as offering employees and covered spouses free access to the Employee Health Center. Wake County Government offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, a stable career in public service with a balance of work and family life, flexible work schedules and a competitive salary and benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

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Raleigh, North Carolina United States View Map