About the Department

Joining the team at Gaston County Government means being part of a community that is dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. We are a dynamic organization that values innovation, collaboration, and commitment to service.

As an employee of Gaston County, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community every day. Whether you are working in public safety, social services, or administration, your contributions will help improve the lives of our residents and build a better future for our county.

Description

Gaston Social Services: Protecting, caring for and empowering children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves through the administrating of federal, state and county programs focused on improving the well-being of our citizens.

 
An hourly salary range of $20.43 to $23.75 is anticipated for this position.

Position Duties

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Conducts in depth in-home assessments and service plans of potential clients for the Home Delivered Meal program. Explains program requirements and records case information/narratives. Completes all steps necessary in determining eligibility and initiating services for client if eligible. Maintains case load of HDM recipients. Schedules & conducts both quarterly and annual in-home assessments to redetermine eligibility status. Thoroughly assesses the six domains for the client. Assesses client's living situation, responds to concerns about safety & wellbeing and follows agency policy in emergencies. Makes Adult Protective Services reports as necessary and links the clients to other services as necessary.
• Assist and lead with work flow planning and nutrition assignments of the site monitors and CSSA's. Be responsive to team member questions, answering as able and referring to supervisor as needed. Identify participant situations that require more intensive case management or supervisory involvement and refer to the supervisor and coordinator as needed. Complete nutrition reports as assigned.
• Trains new volunteers annually for HDM routes for the elderly in Gaston County. Ensures volunteers follow protocols in case of emergencies. Recruits HDM volunteers by word of mouth, speaking engagements, and written requests to churches and other agencies. Schedules delivery routes for volunteers.
• Manage program special projects that expand services beyond the basic Meals on Wheels model.
• Prepares specific written meal route directions by using knowledge of Gaston County maps and the computer to assure that meal delivery volunteers are able to locate homes of clients and deliver meals within specified time frames to maintain food within safe temperatures.
• Processes initial referrals for the congregate meal program via communication with the site monitor and prepares file set-up for new participants. Maintains case load of congregate meal clients as well as their yearly assessments.
• Prepares daily meal order and transmits via e-mail to caterer. Replaces staff as needed at meal sites and delivery routes. Attends monthly meetings and prepares monthly reports.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree is required. 
  • Major in human services field preferred (such as Social Work, Psychology, Nutrition, or a related discipline).

Experience:

• At least 1 year of experience in case management, assessment, and referral OR at least 2 years of related experience in a field such as nutrition, social work, or human services.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license.
• A copy of a transcript must be included with the application.

Special knowledge, abilities, skills, physical requirements, and other factors: Effective verbal & written communication skills. Good organizational, time management & computer skills. Ability to assess needs of older adults & their environment. Public speaking & enthusiasm for volunteer recruitment. Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force. Also standing, walking, balancing, climbing, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, stooping, talking & visual acuity. The work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities & needs.

Other Qualifications

Applicants with less than 5 years of applicable experience will start at 25% of the salary range.

The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment