What You'll Be Doing
Wake County Social Services’ Child Welfare Division is seeking mission‑driven, adaptable, and skilled Social Workers who want to make a meaningful impact every day. Our work is guided by three federally mandated goals:
Safety – Protect children from abuse and neglect
Permanence – Ensure every child has a stable, permanent home
Well‑being – Support children’s educational, physical, and emotional health
We achieve these goals by strengthening families, applying policy with clarity, practicing critical thinking, and working collaboratively with caregivers, community partners, and the court system.
Why Join Wake County Social Services?
You’ll be part of a supportive, mission‑focused team that values professionalism, growth, and collaboration. Wake County offers:
Comprehensive training, coaching, and clinical supervision
Opportunities for internal mobility and career development
Competitive benefits and retirement
A team culture rooted in communication, shared responsibility, and service to families
About the Opportunity
As a Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Worker, you play a vital role in ensuring child safety while honoring the strengths, dignity, and cultural backgrounds of families. You will use sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and calm, regulated decision‑making to assess risk, respond to crises, and support families through complex circumstances. This role is both fast‑paced and meaningful. Success requires balancing independence with teamwork, knowing when to seek supervisory consultation, and demonstrating confidence in the decisions you can make autonomously. Strong candidates remain composed under pressure and are able to navigate sensitive conversations while maintaining professionalism. This position supports both CPS Assessments and CPS In‑Home Services, and duties may occur in the office, in the field, in homes, and in court.
What You’ll Do
Conduct CPS Assessments
Evaluate allegations of abuse, neglect, or dependency
Gather collateral information and apply NC policy to reach clear, evidence‑based decisions
Use structured critical thinking to determine safety threats, vulnerability, and protective capacities
Decide when circumstances require supervisory consultation versus independent decision‑making
Support & Strengthen Families (Assessment & In‑Home)
Provide services that help children remain safely at home whenever possible
Build rapport with caregivers and hold difficult conversations with empathy, clarity, and professionalism
Complete timely, behavior‑based safety plans grounded in policy and family capacity
Facilitate ongoing monitoring of safety plans, caregiver progress, and risk reduction
Ensure Child Safety
Conduct regular home visits, including some evenings and weekends
Assess the child’s environment using observation, interviewing, and risk‑assessment tools
Respond to crises with calm, regulated decision‑making and clear communication
Provide CPS In‑Home Services (If Assigned)
Develop and implement Family Service Agreements with measurable goals
Monitor caregiver progress, service engagement, and child safety
Adjust interventions or safety plans as needed based on ongoing assessment
Partner with providers, schools, legal partners, and internal teams to support sustained risk reduction
Act When Protective Services Are Needed
Facilitate foster care placements when safety cannot be maintained in the home
File petitions and initiate legal action when needed to protect children
Prepare and deliver concise, factual, and legally defensible court testimony
Document Clearly & On Time
Write accurate, neutral, policy‑aligned documentation
Translate complex observations into clear, objective, court‑ready notes
Complete documentation within seven days of each contact and maintain tracking systems
Collaborate & Communicate
Work closely with supervisors, colleagues, multidisciplinary teams, and community partners
Share timely updates to support coordinated casework
Maintain compliance with mandated reporting, confidentiality, and professional/ethical standards
What Makes a Strong Candidate
Professional Strengths
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong critical thinking and analytical judgment
Ability to independently make sound decisions and recognize when supervisory guidance is required
Skill in translating observations into objective, defensible documentation
Reliability, organization, and effective time‑management
Interpersonal & Clinical Skills
Calm, regulated presence during crises and emotionally charged situations
Capacity to build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries
Cultural awareness and respect for diverse family systems
Comfort navigating conflict, difficult conversations, and complex family dynamics
Work Style & Values
Coachability and openness to feedback
Initiative and ownership without needing micromanagement
Flexibility with after‑hours, court, or case‑driven responsibilities
Commitment to safety, ethical decision‑making, and policy alignment
Who Thrives in This Role
Ideal candidates may have backgrounds in:
Investigations, compliance, or structured policy environments
Community or family advocacy
Behavioral or mental health fields
High‑volume case management or coordination
Legal/court writing, victim advocacy, or paralegal work
Work Schedule Expectations
This role requires flexibility to meet family needs and ensure child safety. Schedules may include:
Standard business hours
Occasional evening or weekend home visits
Court hearings and professional meetings
Rotational or case‑driven on‑call responsibilities
Make an impact. Bring your strengths. Protect what matters.
If you are driven by purpose, capable under pressure, and committed to supporting children and families with integrity, we encourage you to apply.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
This position is designated as an Emergency Service Worker and may be required to report to work during emergencies or county‑wide events that impact child safety.
About Our Team
The Wake County Department of Social Services team is grounded in a deep commitment to connection, compassion, and community. We bring together experienced professionals who collaborate to support individuals and families through complex challenges, connect them with critical resources, and promote long-term stability. We value insight, innovation, and a solutions-focused approach, and we welcome those who are ready to contribute their expertise to meaningful, community-centered work. Join us in making a lasting difference!
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field
Three years of job-related experience
Completion of the NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC) traineeship can be substituted for 1 year of experience
Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record
Equivalent education and experience are accepted
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)
Master of Social Work with one year experience
Child Welfare experience as Child Protective Services in-home services
Experience with a diverse population
Experience with visiting homes in communities
Public child welfare experience in a Dept. of Social Services in NC
Experience working with children/families in a state or court administered agency
Foster Care and Adoption experience
Probation or Mental health related experience
How Will We Know You're 'The One'?
Maintain social, ethical, and organizational norms
Firmly adhere to codes of conduct and ethical principles
Build and maintain positive, productive relationships with peers, colleagues, managers, providers, the community and other professionals
Weigh alternative actions and make decisions that incorporate opinions, facts, tangible and/or intangible factors
Deal with others in difficult and complex situations to achieve resolution or adherence to laws and/or regulations
Use appropriate interpersonal skills and methods to reduce tension and resolve conflict
Make decisions without regard to that personal prejudices, biases, and experiences
Handle disappointment and/or rejections while still working effectively
Deal with high stress situations calmly and effectively
Stay with a job or plan until the desired objective is achieved or is no longer reasonably attainable
Recognize and respect the value of individual differences at all levels of the organization
Provide employment and development opportunities equitably to support a diverse workforce
About This Position
Location: HSC Swinburne Raleigh, NC 27610 USA
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:15 pm (requires flexibility to meet family needs and ensure child safety)
Hiring Range: 29.60 - 39.96 Commensurate with Experience
Market Range: 29.60 - 50.33
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: This requisition is open until filled and may close at any time
