CHEROKEE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
4800 W US Highway 64, Murphy, N.C. 28906
(828) 837-7455 - Fax (828) 837-4152
Amanda T McGee, MSW, LCASA, LCSW, Director
RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
June 24, 2026
Available
County Pay Grade: 71
Salary Range: $60,316.00 (for fully qualified applicant)
Closing Date for Receipt of Applications: Open until filled.
Hours: These positions are intended to work in rotating shifts of one After Hours I A & T on while the other is off. The After-Hours Team will handle APS and CPS intake, CPS initiations and case work at night, weekends, and holidays, as needed from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 A.M. on week days, and from Friday at 5:00 P.M. until Monday at 8:00 A.M.
Description of Work: Duties include taking after hours child abuse reports and Adult Protective Services reports., investigating reports of maltreatment of children by their parent, guardian or caretaker; and assessing the ongoing risk to children. The after-hours social worker would need to use a high level of clinical judgment in assessing the facts of the case, the extent of the abuse or neglect and the degree of risk and or danger to the child or children in order to determine what action is necessary. The after-hours social worker is responsible for filing an abuse, neglect or dependency petition and an emergency non-secure petition when necessary to protect the child/ren. The After-Hours Social Workers may handle other urgent after-hours child welfare case duties. Work must be accurate, timely, and done in accordance with federal and state law. The After-Hours Social Worker works independently with an After-Hours Supervisor. Back up is provided as needed. The After-Hours Social Worker must be able to communicate well with clients, de-escalate angry, frustrated, and or hostile individuals. After-hours Social Workers will be trained in a wide range of topics that are necessary for child welfare first responder work. Work is performed in cooperative partnership with community service providers, law enforcement, the HAVEN CAC, and the court system. The After-Hours Social Worker will perform some Continuous Quality Assurance Duties and will perform other related duties as required.
Special Conditions: Requires valid N.C. driver’s license, and a good driving record.
Minimum Training and Experience: Master’s degree from an accredited school of Social Work and one year of directly related experience or completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative; OR a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative and one year of directly related experience; OR a Master’s degree in counseling from an accredited college/university in a human services field and two years of directly related experience; OR four year degree in a human services field from an accredited college/university and three years of directly related experience; OR graduation from a four-year accredited college or university and four years of directly related experience. College Transcripts should be submitted with application. Prefer completion of Child Welfare in NC Course (Pre-Service Curriculum for New Social Workers and Supervisors).
In the event we are unable to recruit a qualified SW I, A&T a lesser qualified applicant may be hired in a work-against status at a lower rate of pay. Social Worker I, II, & III may be considered. Salary would be based on qualifications.
Application Process: A completed and signed state application (PD-107) must be received by Brandy Clonts, Administrative Officer, for the Cherokee County Department of Social Services, 4800 W US Highway 64 Murphy, NC 28906 on or before the deadline shown above. The application can be obtained and found on-line at the North Carolina Office of State Personnel website (https://oshr.nc.gov/documents/nc-state-government-application-employment-pd-107) or at NCWorks Career Center, 800 West US Hwy 64, Murphy, NC 28906 (formerly NC Employment Security Commission, located next to Waffle King in Murphy). Resumes will not be accepted. The application may be hand delivered, mailed, faxed or emailed. Email to [email protected]
Selection Process: Selection procedures will include detailed review of applications and interviews for most qualified candidates. Reference checks will be conducted on the top candidate(s).
Cherokee County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, genetic information, national origin, and/or veteran or military status. Individuals being offered employment through Cherokee County are subject to drug screening and a background check.
