Child Welfare Specialist I - CPS Intake

County of Mecklenburg, NC•Charlotte, NC

2d•$25 - $31•Onsite

About The Position

Youth and Family Services Division (YFS) of the DSS Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (CFAS) provides a variation of services to safeguard children by strengthening the protective capacities of families whose children’s health, safety and well-being are at risk. The mission of DSS is to strengthen families and communities through a safety-net of services, collaborations, and hope. The Department’s vision is to define and cultivate an organizational culture that is more compassionate and understanding toward each other and our clients. YFS firmly believes the people who do this work are our most important resource. As such, children and families deserve trained, skillful professionals to engage and effectively assist them. If you have a passion for social work and making a difference in your local community, come join our Youth and Family Services team! Position with Child Protective Services is located at 10101 David Taylor Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262. Work onsite full time Sunday – Thursday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Position is expected to cover/work on approximately 3 holidays per year. The CPS Intake Social Worker serves as the first point of contact for individuals reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, or dependency. This role is responsible for gathering critical information, assessing risk, and making screening decisions in accordance with state law, agency policy, and child safety standards. The position requires strong analytical skills, trauma-informed communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work AND one of the following: one year of social work experience; qualifying internship; successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program;
Master’s in social work;
Bachelor’s degree in related major AND two years of social work experience;
Master’s degree in related major AND one year of social work experience.
Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related.
We recently changed our degree requirements and now accept a larger variety of Human Services degrees such as: Clinical Social Work, Counseling, Criminology / Criminal Justice, Gerontology, Human Development Learning, Human Services, Psychology, Social Science, Sociology, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation.
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
Requires County Driving Privileges
Knowledge of General social work principles and available resources
Knowledge of Social services procedures, practices and methods
Knowledge of Social services related federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance, and social welfare
Knowledge of Case management methods and techniques
Knowledge of Services offered by the county and other local public and private community-based service agencies
Skills Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met.
Skills Exercising judgment and discretion
Skills Maintaining various confidential records
Skills Managing and executing multiple tasks
Skills Possessing strong communication skills
Skills Prioritizing work
Abilities Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
Abilities Building Customer Loyalty: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty
Abilities Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
Abilities Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
Abilities Care Management: Having the knowledge and skills to secure relevant patient care data and identify key issues and relationships in the management of patient care; understanding the relationships among assessments, interventions, and patient responses; skilled in documentation of assessments and adjusting physical and cognitive prescriptions as needed
Abilities Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
Abilities Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs.
Abilities Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences
Abilities Inspiring Others: Using interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals toward higher levels of performance
Abilities Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people
Abilities Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed
Computer Skills Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Previous Child Protective Services experience.
Bilingual (Spanish and English) proficiency oral and written. If applicable, a County required bilingual assessment must be passed to receive bilingual premium pay.

Responsibilities

Receive and Document Reports:
Answer incoming calls regarding suspected child maltreatment.
Collect detailed, accurate information from reporters, including child demographics, alleged maltreatment, and household composition.
Ensure all required data fields are completed in the case management system.
Risk Assessment & Screening:
Apply state policy and structured decision-making tools to determine if reports meet criteria for CPS involvement.
Identify imminent safety threats and escalate urgent cases immediately.
Consult with supervisors on complex or borderline cases.
Notifications & Compliance:
Complete mandatory notifications to Law Enforcement (LE), District Attorney (DA), and other required parties within statutory timelines.
Generate and send Reporter Letters as required by policy.
Communication & Customer Service:
Engage callers with professionalism and empathy, using trauma-informed practices.
Provide accurate information about CPS processes while maintaining confidentiality.
Documentation:
Prepare clear, objective, and comprehensive case notes that support downstream investigations and court proceedings.
Ensure documentation meets agency standards for accuracy and timeliness.
Collaboration:
Coordinate with internal units, law enforcement, and community partners as needed.
Participate in team meetings, calibration sessions, and ongoing training.
Assess needs of individuals and/or families and link them to appropriate resources to meet goals and expected outcomes.
Conduct in home assessments and provide ongoing support (if applicable)
Assess well being and safety of children
Facilitate face to face, telephone and virtual contacts with children and families and internal and external community stakeholders to assess safety and risk
Attend child and family team meetings
Provide supportive services to kin and resource caregivers
Assist clients in the completion of required paperwork for items that may determine program eligibility, referrals, or provide job assistance, such as job applications
Manage records and documentation of services provided and maintain history records and prepare reports
Provide, find, or arrange for support services, such as childcare, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes, to prevent more serious problems from developing
Help clients adjust to changes and challenges in their lives, such as illness, divorce, or unemployment; and research, coordinate and refer clients to community resources, such as food stamps, childcare, and health care (if applicable)
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided and ensure services were effective and situations have improved
Advocate for clients to get resources that would improve their well-being and help them work with government agencies to apply for and receive benefits
Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance and provide guidance
Transport clients to appointments such as medical, job related or others, if appropriate
Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts, to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty; communicate with other staff members regarding referrals and transitioning of clients
May be required to work varying shifts and weekends
May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster