Social Worker III SW III Trainee- Adult Services

Buncombe County is hiring one (1) Adult Protective Services Worker. This individual will report to an Adult Protective Services Supervisor who has a team of five (5). This team is part of the larger Adult Services Team of twenty-five (25) that includes Adult Protective Services social workers Adult Case Management social workers Adult Home Specialists and an Age Friendly Coordinator.

The primary goal of Adult Protective Services is to ensure the safety of disabled adults. This is done by completing assessments to determine if there has been abuse neglect or exploitation and if so refer the client to appropriate services. Priority is given to individuals who have done social work within Adult Services or similar experience.

This position will start in-person. Over time a hybrid schedule will be allowed. The employee must reside within a two (2) hour drive from 40 Coxe Avenue Asheville NC 28801in order to be considered for the position.

Anticipated start date for this position is Monday December 29th 2025 or earliest available.

This position will be hired as a fully qualified Social Worker III or a Social Worker III Trainee depending on candidate qualifications.

The Pay Range for a Social Worker III is $29.51 - $34.96 an hour
The Base Pay for a Social Worker III Trainee is $25.77an hour until fully qualified.

Salaries are calculated based on education and experience above minimum qualifications.

As a Social Worker III Trainee candidates will be hired with the expectation that to continue employment the selected candidate will successfully advance to a Social Worker III position once the employee is fully qualified. At that time the selected candidate will be promoted and compensated as a qualified Social Worker.

The selected candidate for this position will be required to submit to a drug test. Please note that CBD or Delta-9 Hemp products may cause a positive drug test.

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): Masters degree in Social Work; or a Bachelors degree in Social Work and one (1) year of directly related experience; or a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Sociology Psychology or Human Services and two (2) years directly related experience; or Bachelors 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 drivers 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 adults 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 employees 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 addition the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.