Social Worker III - LINKS / Adoptions

Salary : $50,410.86 - $71,229.23 AnnuallyLocation : Social Services - 604 7th St SW Taylorsville, NC 28681Job Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 202500093Department: Social ServicesDivision: CPSOpening Date: 12/19/2025FLSA: Non-ExemptRecruitment Rate / Range: $54,286.98 - $61,420.74Position DescriptionAn employee in this class is responsible for assisting teens and young adults eligible for LINKS services and individuals participating in the Foster Care 18-21 program by providing support and comprehensive solution focused assessments, interventions, and training to support their growth towards self-sufficiency and independence. Works cohesively with teens and/or young adults, their support systems, community, and in-agency partners to support their goals and strengthen their ability to be productive adults. Strives for excellence in meeting all mandated standards in a challenging, but rewarding environment which ultimately seeks to assure teens and/or young adults are able to reach self-sufficiency, develop a support system, and attain their goals. An employee in this class is responsible for managing a child custody caseload and post-adoption cases. The majority of the cases will include a primary plan of adoption and work focuses on aggressively seeking permanence for those children. Work also involves highly sensitive and confidential information. Work involves seeking and assessing appropriate placements for children entering foster care and permanent homes for children being adopted. The employee develops a plan detailing activities, parties, and goals which allows the family to be reunified and also documents an alternative plan. An employee in this position will complete paperwork for children placed with adoptive families and handle all post-adoptive procedures. Work involves assessing the homes of parents and relatives residing in Alexander County who are requesting placement of biological, relative, or adoptive children in their home. Work is performed independently under the general supervision of a Social Work Supervisor III.ResponsibilitiesSupports and supervises foster and adoptive families to strengthen abilities/skills and sustain placements.Assesses, selects, and matches foster/adoptive families with foster children.Assesses ongoing best interests of children based on developmental, physical, emotional, and other needs.Supports and advocates for parents, children, foster parents, and pre-adoptive parents.Prepares children and families for transition/placement.Supports children and families throughout time in foster care and through the finalization of adoption.Creates a case file documenting a child's life while in foster care.Completes and files all required legal documents and case documentation for the adoption process.Completes all financial components of adoption assistance.Completes mutual home assessments/pre-placement assessments and adoption assistance requests.Pursues termination of parental rights, when reunification fails, and is responsible for carrying out Permanency Planning Team recommendations.Sees, works, and talks to the children at least once a month; and maintains contact with appropriate family members and collaterals.Attends all court hearings and prepares all necessary reports and documentation.Prepares correspondence, records, and narratives detailing all DSS activities, copies of all court paperwork and orders, visit plans, assessments, funding eligibility, and other related documents.Assists in building a network of services for LINKS youth aged 13-20 years old to include family, friends, mentors, community members, employers, skills training, and other resources.Creates and/or facilitates opportunities for youth to experience grown-enhancing interactions with he environment.Assesses continual foster care placement or transitions to independence for young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 while under child welfare agency supervision.Facilitates team meetings while creating an environment of physical and emotional safety.Encourages effective communication and manages conflict and denial.In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations is expected. The employee is 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. The employee is also required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.Performs other duties as assigned.Knowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesWork in a professional independent manner using educational and consultative supervision.Sound interviewing skills, communication skills, intervention skills, and writing skills are critical.Broad knowledge base is required, including service components to children, natural families, foster families, and group homes; child welfare principles and practice strategies; and effective methods of casework, group work, and family work.Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices must be demonstrated and applied to specific casework and community problems.Considerable knowledge of behavioral and socioeconomic problems.Must engage governmental, civic, and private organizations.Knowledgeable of community, county, and state resources.Understand laws, regulations, and policies which govern the social work programs.Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, and to plan and execute work effectively.Must have typing/word-processing/computer skills and must effectively use equipment to complete job assignments.Required Minimum Education / ExperienceMaster's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; orBachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; orMaster's degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; orBachelor's degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; orGraduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; orEquivalent combination of training and experience.Current Child Welfare pre-service training or obtain within 6 months of the date of hire.Possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.Possess a valid REAL ID, U.S. Passport, or another federally-approved identification for air travel or obtain within 6 months of the date of hire.A minimum of 24 hours of additional training is required for each social work position annually after preliminary requirements for pre-service training are met. Many opportunities are provided for the employee to attend program-specific and/or technical training. Additionally, local training and professional conferences are available as reasonable and appropriate.Special Note:One year of work experience can be credited for completing the social work collaborative.Alexander County is a rewarding and supportive place to work!We offer a full compensation package including quality benefits with flexible options to meet the needs of our employees and their families.HEALTH CAREMedical Insurance - Employee medical insurance is 100% paid provided wellness incentive requirements are met. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:Child: $69.23 Children: $207.69 Spouse: $230.77 Family: $392.31Dental Insurance - Employee dental insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:Child(ren): $16.95 Spouse: $18.89 Family: $52.32Vision Insurance - Employee vision insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:Child(ren): $3.86 Spouse: $3.48 Family: $7.50WELLNESSHealth Clinic - Available to all County employees and dependents covered under the medical insurance plan. Covered visits include ear infections, colds, first aid, physicals, and other acute care needs.Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) - The medical plan offers alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, and others. Specific requirements must be met for partial reimbursement - refer to the employee guide for more information.Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Counseling services are available to all employees and dependents in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting. The County provides coverage for the first five visits per year.YMCA - No joining or monthly membership fees for eligible employees. Employees may opt to upgrade their membership to a family rate of $6.92 per pay period.PureGrit Fitness - Discounted member fees for eligible employees with access to a weight room, unlimited classes, or a day pass.WORK/LIFE BALANCEHolidays - Twelve days of paid leave are provided throughout the year to eligible employees.Sick Leave - Employees earn eight hours per month; EMS employees earn 11 hours per month.Annual Leave - Employees earn prorated hours per month based upon years of service and hours worked.Birth Month Leave: Employees will receive the equivalent hours of one regular workday added to their annual leave on the second day of their birth month.Community Involvement Leave: Employees earn eight hours per calendar year, expiring on December 31.Bereavement Leave: Employees are given 24 hours of paid leave to grieve the loss of an immediate family member.Parental Leave: Eligible employees can request up to 6 weeks of paid leave per calendar year.Discount Tickets - Discount tickets to various recreational venues including AMC Theaters, Carowinds, Tweetsie Railroad, Biltmore Estate, and others.FINANCIAL STABILITYNC Local Government Retirement System - The Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS) is a defined benefit plan. Full-time and eligible part-time employees are automatically enrolled in the system. Employees contribute a mandatory, fixed 6% on a pre-tax basis. An employee is considered vested after five years of contributory service.Life Insurance - $12,500 of Life and AD&D at no cost to the employee. Additional coverage is available at employee expense.Longevity - After five (5) years of continuous full-time County service, employees receive an annual lump sum payment of 1.5% of their salary during their anniversary month. Moving forward, the amount increases by .10 per year based upon years of service.401k and 457 Deferred Compensation - Contributions are available as an employee option.Tuition Reimbursement: Employees who have completed their initial probationary period are eligible to participate in the tuition reimbursement program of up to $1,000 per semester in qualified expenses.Supplemental Benefits - The County partners with Aflac, as an employee option, for additional supplemental benefits.Local Government Federal Credit Union (CIVIC) - Memberships are available to County employees.For additional details on benefits, please review the Alexander County policies at www.alexandercountync.gov orcontact the Human Resources Department at (828) 632-1132.01Please select your highest level of education completed.NoneHigh School Diploma or GEDAssociate's DegreeBachelor's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.Bachelor's degree in a human services field.Bachelor's degree in any other field.Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.Master's degree in counseling.Master's degree in any other field.02How many years of experience do you have in counseling?Noneless than 1 year1 to 2 years2 to 3 years3 to 4 years4+ years03How many years of experience do you have as a Social Worker?Noneless than 1 year1 to 2 years2 to 3 years3 to 4 years4+ years04Do you have a valid North Carolina driver's license?YesNo05Have you successfully completed the North Carolina Child Welfare Collaborative?YesNo