Social Worker II - Youth Services… at Buncombe County · Asheville

SOCIAL WORKER II - YOUTH SERVICES COORDINATOR Location: Asheville, NC · Hybrid (Office and Remote) This job posting expires at 11:59PM on July 08, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on July 08, 2026.     Job Title:  Social Worker II - Youth Services Coordinator     Department: Social Services - Child Welfare     External Hiring Range: $25.77 - $30.54     Compensation Grade: 2007     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.     The purpose of the position is to deliver independent living services (LINKS) in accordance with the John Chafee Foster Care Independence Act (Public Law 106-69). This role involves collaborating with other Buncombe County DHHS staff to ensure the effective implementation of these services to support eligible youth in their transition to adulthood and path to independence. Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) from an appropriately accredited institution; bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one (1) year of directly related experience; or bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two (2) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred. Certificate of completion of the NCDHHS Pre-Service Training: Child Welfare in North Carolina is preferred. License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: A current, valid driver's license. Essential Functions: • Serve as the primary staff responsible for the delivery of independent living services (LINKS) per the John Chafee Foster Care Independence Act (Public Law 106-69). • Provide services consistent with policy outlined in the North Carolina Division of Social Services Child Welfare Services Manual, Section 1201 - Child Placement Services, Adolescent Services: NC LINKS. • Provide services to eligible youth (ages 13-21) who are or were in foster care after the age of 13, which includes maintaining monthly contacts, LINKS requests, and continued case management for the eligible youth. • Conduct diligent outreach efforts to all young adults aged 18-21 who have aged out of foster care in Buncombe County and provide appropriate services per NC LINKS policy. The LINKS Coordinator will be provided with outreach information for any teen exiting foster care either prior to or at the age of 18, in addition to those who have aged out of foster care. • Partner with social work staff and youth to verify accessibility and eligibility for LINKS and LINKS Special Funds. • Collaborate with your supervisor to develop an annual plan for the local LINKS program as required by the State, as well as coordinating and planning for LINKS events for youth and young adults • Establish and maintain a system to track LINKS spending for eligible clients. • Partnering with organizations in the community that are youth-specific, to aid in the development of independent living skills and to promote youth advocacy. • Provide internal training, one-on-one assistance, and community information regarding LINKS services. • Consult with the LINKS state coordinator as needed and participate in LINKS training offered through the Staff Development Section (LINKS 101, 201, and Groups Course, as appropriate). The LINKS Coordinator will attend monthly LINK Up calls and state meetings pertinent to program needs. • Partner with LINKS Coordinators in other counties to connect youth placed out of county with services. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: • Knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application; knowledge and understanding of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures that affect Protective Services. • Thorough knowledge of agency and community resources. • Ability to use highly specialized interviewing skills to assess risk and voluntarily engage client in a situation that is emotionally charged and stressful to all involved, the ability to ascertain facts and information without imposing or adding information during an interview. • Knowledge of casework principles, crisis intervention, and impacts of family structure dynamics on individuals. • Skill in working with other professionals from different disciplines who may view client/problems differently. • Ability to meet a client where they are and work with them to achieve their goal and support a client’s right to self-determination. • Ability to be flexible and maintain a calm exterior in the face of crisis, change and/or stress. • Ability to orchestrate community services and to create resources where none are readily available. • Ability to identify and prioritize problems under stress. • Skill in crisis interviewing and counseling to allow worker to take charge, diffuse and manage the crisis. • Ability to accurately observe human behavior and environmental condition, processing collected data in order to effectively recommend and implement a sound course of action in a minimal period of time, relying on self as a major resource, while operating in an isolated and stressful environment; and acting appropriately and effectively on the acquired information.     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.