POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
CLEVELAND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Human Resources Department, Cleveland County Administrative Building
311 East Marion Street, PO Box 1210, Shelby, NC 28151-1210
Alexis Pearson, H.R. Director
Telephone 704/484-4833
This publication lists positions for which applications are currently being accepted. Applications may be obtained at the Human
Resources Office or the local Employment Security Commission. Applications are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00
am to 5:00 pm (except holidays). Applications received after the closing date will NOT be accepted. As a condition of
employment, individuals hired by the County are required to present proof of identity and legal eligibility to work in the United
States before they can begin work. Male applicants between the ages of 18 and 26 are required by State Law to certify that
they have registered for Military Service. To insure the County’s commitment to serve its citizens as efficiently as possible,
the County will require, as part of the pre-employment screening into all full and part time positions and PRIOR to an official
offer being made for employment, a drug test to provide a drug-free environment in which to work, a criminal history check,
and a drivers license check, if applicable. Cleveland County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.
Position # 011.504.4114
INTERNAL / EXTERNAL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
***************************************************
SOCIAL WORKER III
With
Cleveland County Department of Social Services
Family Services Division
Child Permanence Unit
SUPERVISOR:
Alison Clark
SALARY GRADE:
70
SALARY RANGE:
$38,994. – $60,834.
CLOSING DATE:
January 3, 2012
Job Description
This position will be responsible for establishing permanency for children, ages 0-21, who are removed from their
parents/caretakers because of abuse, neglect, or dependency. This position develops an appropriate permanent plan for each
child whom they are responsible for in their caseload. These permanent plans include reunification with parents, custody to
a relative, adoption, or custody or guardianship to a court approved caretaker. This worker will keep the case and continue
working toward the permanent plan until it is achieved, whether reunification, custody to a court-approved relative,
guardianship or adoption. The worker in this position is required to work closely with the parents/caretakers from whom
custody was removed. This position must make reasonable efforts with the parents/caretakers, in an effort to reunite the
child/ren with their parents. This worker will offer services to parents, to include making any needed community referrals,
making home visits, taking parents for random drug screens, transporting parents to and from appointments. This position
monitors the ongoing risks to children, based on the parent’s progress in completing court ordered activities, as well as
behavior specific actions. This position is also responsible for making sure that appropriate supportive services are offered to
each child’s placement resource, to include foster parents, group home providers and relatives. The worker in this position
must also ensure that all of the child’s needs are met. This includes transporting children to be enrolled in school, to
medical/mental health appointments, scheduling and supervising visits between children and their parents, arranging for and
supervising sibling visitation. This position also works closely with the court system and must attend all court reviews
pertaining to the children in their caseload. The person in this position is responsible for preparing court reports for the judge
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Page 2
to review and make recommendations concerning permanency. The court ultimately decides when a child should have
unsupervised visits with their parents, as well as when placement should occur back in the parents home. This position
requires a person who is self-motivated, well-organized, flexible, able to multi-task, has effective communication skills,
verbal/written, likes to travel (90% of the work for this position is out in the field). It is important to note that some children
in the foster care system are placed out of the county and will require out of town travel on a monthly or bimonthly basis;
will serve on rotation-basis to cover After Hours duty with other social workers; other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Minimum Education & Experience
Master's degree from an accredited school of social work; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work
and one year of directly related experience; or graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with degree in
human services field and two years of directly related experience; or graduation from an accredited four-year college or
university and three years of directly related experience. Directly related experience is defined as: human services
experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social
therapy and treatment planning. Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.
(NOTE: Applications for Social Worker II, Social Worker I and Social Worker I Trainee will be accepted for consideration for a
possible “Work Against” appointment, if recruitment for a qualified Social Worker III is unsuccessful. SEE attached
information regarding “Work Against” appointments and required qualifications for Social Worker III, II, I and Trainee
positions.)
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group
work, and community problems. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention
techniques. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
Considerable knowledge of behavioral and socio-economic problems and their treatment. Ability to establish and maintain
effective working relationships with administrative superiors, families and children, and civic, medical, social, and religious
organizations. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively; and ability to learn
and be proficient in the use of the Family Services computer system. Computer skills, valid driver’s license, good driving
record and own transportation required. Must be able to lift and carry a child. Bilingual in English and Spanish is a
desired qualification. This position requires the ability to produce high quality results under pressure of tight time
frames and caseloads that exceed state standards. Work in this position may be dangerous!
Physical Requirements
Must be able to physically perform the basic life support functions of reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping,
feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform sedentary/light work which includes exerting up to
10-20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or
otherwise move objects, including the human body. Must have close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures,
use a computer terminal, extensive reading and determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
May be in contact with blood during the performance of his/her duties.
Application Process
All applicants must complete and submit a County Application Form along with copy of College Transcript to:
Cleveland County Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 1210, Shelby, NC 28151, by the closing date. Any county employee
wishing to apply must submit an Employee Transfer Request Form, along with completed County Application, to the
Cleveland County Human Resources Office by the closing date.
Qualified applicants received during this listing will also be considered for any Social Work vacancies that have
not yet been filled.
Selection Process
Selection will be by structured interview. Applications will be reviewed to select the most qualified applicants for
admission to the interview.
NOTE: All DSS positions are subject to reallocation contingent upon funding, agency needs and client population and are
subject to perform work during emergency or disaster situations as required and may be required to staff shelters overnight.
This position is also required to maintain a valid driver’s license with good driving record and reliable transportation.
Excellent benefits package with 401(k) plan