Guardianship Social Worker III

Position Description Catawba County Social Services is committed to making living better through serving adults with complex medical and mental health needs.
We are seeking individuals who share our common core values: Doing what’s right: Providing services to adults who have been deemed incompetent and are in need of a guardian to advocate for services to meet their needs.
Doing what matters most: Serving adults and our community by providing support and comprehensive person-centered, assessments and services that will support the adult’s ability to live as independently as possible in the community.
Doing it together: Working cohesively with families, guardian ad litems, court partners, and community and in-agency partners to ensure adults are cared for and linked to services that will allow them to function at their highest possible level.
Doing it well: Striving for excellence in meeting all mandated standards in a fast-paced, but rewarding environment that ultimately seeks to assure adults are cared for with respect, dignity, and in the least restrictive environment possible.
Responsibilities Act as advocate for persons for whom we are guardian Monitor mental health services, medical care, dental care, etc.
for persons for whom we are guardian to ensure needs are met Respond to crisis situations for persons for whom we are guardian, including psychiatric hospitalization and arranging placement Attend treatment team meetings Provide representative payee services, as needed, for those persons for whom we are guardian who reside in the community Collaborate with Mental Health providers and Local Management Entities to ensure mental health services are provided to persons for who we are guardian Assess clients need for legal Guardianship Gather information to support the need for guardianship services Consult with county attorney and work cooperatively with other court officials; prepare petitions and court reports; and testify in court Provide transportation for clients to medical and mental health appointments, as well as shopping and other errands Share on-call after hour duties with APS Social Workers Provide intake services for the Adult Services Unit half a day a week 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; or Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and 1 year of social work experience; or Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and 2 years of social work experience; or Bachelor’s degree in a non-human services field and 3 years of social work experience ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: A valid Driver’s license with a safe record Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Knowledge of laws and regulations related to guardianship in North Carolina Outstanding advocacy skills Knowledge of medications and DSM-5 Experience working with persons with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities Experience and knowledge of person centered planning practices Solid computer skills This is considered Light Work; lifting up to 20 pounds As of 7/1/2022: 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 Care Health: 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 Wellness Employee 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 Balance Annual 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 Security Local 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).