CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL WORKER - Child Protective Services

Durham County • Durham, NC

9d • $64,093 - $86,488

About The Position

Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

Social Services Child Protective Services provides family assessments, forensic investigations and/or case management for families with substantiated reports of suspected child neglect and abuse as defined in the General Statutes of North Carolina.
Conducts comprehensive assessments of child safety, family strengths and needs, and family support systems.
Prepares court summaries and participates in associated court proceedings.
Ability to use best practice strategies and professional judgement in complex situations are essential.
Must have knowledge of child welfare policies and practices (including but not limited to social work investigation, crisis intervention and family functioning and child development) and be able to integrate this knowledge and skill in judicial and other legal proceedings.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children.
• Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law
• Thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
• Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Ability to interact and motivate a resistant involuntary client population and the public who may not agree with the laws, rules or policies of the process or the programs.
• Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for the court, case records and treatment plans.
• Ability to testify as an expert witness, employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services.
• Ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client environment during daylight hours, after dark and in high crime areas.
• Ability to employ expert negotiation skills in the most complex cases.
• Ability to analyze and assess child development safety issues in relation to risk factors.
• Ability to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information and limited access to consultation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.
• Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or Master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; or graduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Requires a valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable three -year driving record and a vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates with bilingual skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides family assessments, forensic investigations and/or case management for families with substantiated reports of suspected child neglect and abuse as defined in the General Statutes of North Carolina.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments of child safety, family strengths and needs, and family support systems.
• Prepares court summaries and participates in associated court proceedings.
• Ability to use best practice strategies and professional judgement in complex situations are essential.
• Must have knowledge of child welfare policies and practices (including but not limited to social work investigation, crisis intervention and family functioning and child development) and be able to integrate this knowledge and skill in judicial and other legal proceedings.

What This Job Offers

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