Social Worker III

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on June 18, 2025. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on June 18, 2025.

Job Title: Social Worker III

Department: Social Services - Adult Services

External Hiring Range: $29.51 - $34.45

Compensation Grade: 2009

Pay Range: $29.51 - $41.31

Posted Internally and Externally

Buncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.

Purpose of the position: The purpose of this position is to ensure safety of aged and disabled adults in compliance with state and federal statutes regarding adult protective services.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Master's degree in Social Work; or a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and one (1) year of directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services and two (2) years directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree in another field and three (3) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. *BSW and Social Work Collaborative Students preferred.

Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: A current, valid driver's license.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Evaluate reports of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of aged and disabled adults, meeting mandated requirements as set forth in Adult Protective Services policy and statutes.
• Develop and implement service plans to provide for the safety and wellbeing of all aged and disabled adults who are found to be in need of protection and either adult or legal representative consents to such services.
• Assess individual need for Guardianship and when appropriate petition the court to carry out the intent of the Guardianship Statues 35A.
• Evaluate the needs of individuals in the 6 domains to include social support, environment, economic functioning, mental/emotional functioning, activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and Physical health.
• Identify, develop, and coordinate community resources to address protective service needs, including creating resources when they are lacking.
• Establish rapport with clients, families, and appropriate professionals/non-professionals in the community to provide a strengths-based, person-centered approach in working with aged and disabled adults throughout the protective services system.
• Collaborate as needed with peers, adult leadership, and agency attorney in weekly case decision and guardianship case staffings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of State and federal policy, agency procedures, Adult Services Standards and mandates for adult protective service practice and service delivery.
• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems.
• Knowledge of basic community systems and resources, including physical and mental health services, adult services, substance abuse resources, domestic violence, housing, and other applicable areas.
• Considerable knowledge of medical and psychological illnesses which impair an adult's decision-making abilities.
• Must be proficient in preparing petitions requesting protective services, exparte emergency and regular orders, guardianship petitions for the protection of aged and disabled adults and at providing expert testimony when needed in court cases.
• Ability to prioritize, identify and assess risks, problems and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, have a history of trauma and may be resistant.
• Able to identify and/or develop resources when none are known or available and to coordinate services for clients with multi-disciplinary professionals.
• Skill in establishing constructive relationships with clients who may be resistant and utilizing person-centered SW practice

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.