Child Protective Services - Social Worker - SISA Unit

Wake County Government • Raleigh, NC

3d • $30 - $41 • Onsite

About The Position

Wake County Child Welfare Division has three federally mandated goals. The first goal is safety - children will be protected from harm from child abuse and neglect. The second goal is permanence - children entering foster care will be reunited with family or placed in a new permanent home as quickly as possible. The third goal is well-being - the educational, health, and overall well-being of children in foster care or receiving CPS In-Home Services will be enhanced. Federal, state, and local policy dictate that Child Welfare seeks to accomplish these three goals by supporting and strengthening families. We are seeking Child Protective Services - Social Workers in multiple locations for the Serious Injury Sex Abuse Unit (SISA) to join our team of dedicated professionals that protect children and enhance their well-being by supporting and strengthening families. Primary functions include: Receiving and screening reports from the public regarding suspected child abuse, neglect, and dependency to see if they meet legal criteria for Child Protective Services (CPS) assessments Conducting CPS assessments to determine if children have been maltreated and need protective services Providing protective services to help families keep children who have been maltreated safely at home whenever possible Placing children in foster care when no other means are adequate to protect them Quickly reunifying children with their families whenever possible while looking for alternate permanent homes through adoption when necessary. 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!

Requirements

• 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
• Ability to maintain social, ethical, and organizational principles
• Ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with colleagues, providers, the community and other professionals
• Ability to use appropriate interpersonal skills and methods to reduce tension and resolve conflict in complex situations while adhering to statute and policy
• Ability to make decisions without regard to personal prejudices, biases, and experiences and deal with high stress situations calmly and effectively
• Ability to recognize and respect the value of individual differences at all levels of the organization

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Social Work and one year of experience in social work or counseling
• NC Child Welfare Preservice Training
• Child Welfare experience in a NC Dept. of Social Services, Child Welfare Division
• Experience working with a diverse population
• Experience with the delivery of services to community residents within their living environment
• Experience in testifying in court

Responsibilities

• Receiving and screening reports from the public regarding suspected child abuse, neglect, and dependency to see if they meet legal criteria for Child Protective Services (CPS) assessments
• Conducting CPS assessments to determine if children have been maltreated and need protective services
• Providing protective services to help families keep children who have been maltreated safely at home whenever possible
• Placing children in foster care when no other means are adequate to protect them
• Quickly reunifying children with their families whenever possible while looking for alternate permanent homes through adoption when necessary

Benefits

• The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating.
• Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024.
• US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live
• Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level