Job Location : Newton,NC, USA
Salary : $54,967.43 AnnuallyLocation : Social Services Main Hickory, NCJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 02198Department: Social ServicesOpening Date: 08/08/2025Closing Date: 8/22/2025 11:59 PM Eastern Position DescriptionCatawba County Social Services is committed to improving lives by serving children and families with multiple and complex needs. We are currently recruiting for a Permanency Planning Social Worker III. The primary purpose of this position is to provide services to children and families when children are in the legal and physical custody of Social Services. Children enter foster care due to abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. Social Workers in this role primarily focus on ensuring each child's well-being and collaborating with parents and/or caretakers to reunify them with their removed children. This involves home visits with the parents/caretaker from whom the child was removed, conducting assessments, creating case plans, making referrals, and evaluating ongoing progress. They will help eliminate obstacles to parents'/caretakers' successful reunification with their children. If reunification is unsuccessful, the social worker will work toward an alternative plan to assist the youth in achieving permanency.While assessing and ensuring children's well-being, this worker will conduct monthly home visits with the youth in their residence. They will verify enrollment in school, ensure regular medical and dental visits, facilitate access to trauma-informed therapy, and supervise visits between siblings and parents.This position will collaborate closely with the court system by attending all court hearings, testifying when necessary, and preparing court reports for the judge's review to make recommendations regarding permanency. The Social Worker will conduct home visits with removal parents, conduct assessments, conduct case planning, make referrals, and assess their ongoing progress. They will assist in removing barriers to parents' successful reunification with their children. If reunification is unsuccessful, the social worker will devise an alternative plan to help the youth achieve permanency. Social Work Realistic Job Preview Video: NOTE: Trainees, those with Master's or Bachelor's degrees in other areas of human services but do not have the required experience, may be considered. Trainee salary is $52,352.31. Responsibilities Work with children, their biological families, and others including extended family, therapists; school and court personnel, foster families, and others involved with the child to help a child achieve their permanent planDevelop case plans and interventions that promote safety, permanency, and well-being to support children and families while a child is experiencing foster careA full range of case management tasksPreparing information for the courtTimely and thorough documentationConduct home visits with birth parents, resource parents, and children Qualifications Master's degree from an accredited school of social work; OR Master's degree in counseling or human services field and 1 year of social work experience; ORBachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and 1 year of social work experience; ORBachelor's degree in a human services field and 2 years of social work experience; ORBachelor's degree in a non-human services field and 3 years of social work experienceIf the Social Worker position is a child welfare position: Possession of a BSW with the Child Welfare Collaborative Scholarship/Waiver will replace one year of social work experience required. Additional Requirements Valid Driver's license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)This position collaborates with other mandated positions in Child Welfare Services, so good teamwork skills and flexibility in working across disciplines are essential.Ability to work with a variety of people, public agencies, and professionalsStrong verbal and writing skillsEffective knowledge of child welfare and social work philosophy and policyThis position requires lifting up to 40 pounds to carry children and belongings. Preferences:Master's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work Strong experience in using clinical and trauma-focused skills Experience working with and/or in the mental health systemDirect social work experience in child welfare services or similar experiences Persons with bilingual ability (English/Spanish) are encouraged to apply. Catawba County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Catawba County BenefitsAs of 7/1/2024: You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization. Available benefits include:Health CareHealth: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren) and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents, with 2 plan options to choose from.Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts which can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision expenses.Employee WellnessEmployee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care available to employee's children ages 5-17 regardless of health insurance coverage and for employee's adult children (ages 18-26) or employee's spouse if covered on the county's health insurance.Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education and more.Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.Work Life BalanceAnnual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-21 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.Flexible work schedules.Time off for activities that support our local schools.Continuing educational assistance.Discount tickets to recreational venues.Employee appreciation days/activities.Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.Financial SecurityLocal Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times employee's annual salary with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates. Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).01 What is your interest in this particular Social Worker position? What is your experience in this specific area of social work? 02 Check the box that indicates your status in regard to the North Carolina Social Work Collaborative initiative. I am a NC Social Work Collaborative Scholar I have completed the NC Social Work Collaborative Waiver I have not completed any of the NC Social Work Collaborative programs. 03 Have you completed Child Welfare in North Carolina: Pre-Service Training? Yes No Required Question