Child Protective Services - Social Worker - Tiered Sign-On Bonus Up To $5,000

the Opportunity•Raleigh, NC

2d•$30 - $40•Hybrid

About The Position

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. 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, and a team culture rooted in communication, shared responsibility, and service to families. 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.

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
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
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
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
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

Nice To Haves

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
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

Responsibilities

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.