Permanency Services (Adoption) - Social Worker - Tiered Sign On Bonus Up To $5,000

County of Wake, NC•Raleigh, NC

2d•$30 - $52•Onsite

About The Position

Wake County Child Welfare serves more than 500 children in foster care, and our Adoptions Team plays a critical role in ensuring every child has the opportunity for lasting family connections. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Permanency Services Social Worker - Adoption to support youth and families through the legal, emotional, and relational transitions that occur during the adoption process. This role blends direct engagement, critical decision‑making, complex case coordination, and strong advocacy—grounded in trauma‑informed practice and county/state policy. As an Adoptions Social Worker, you will guide children and prospective adoptive families toward safety, permanency, and long‑term stability. You will collaborate closely with birth families, adoptive families, community partners, schools, therapists, and the courts to ensure each child has the support and resources needed to achieve a successful adoption. This position requires strong documentation skills, thorough assessment, confident decision‑making, and the ability to build trust with families during emotionally significant periods. Adoption is a lifelong journey—for children, birth families, and adoptive families. Many youth in care have experienced trauma, loss, and instability. Your work will help create safe, nurturing, permanent homes while honoring children’s identities, histories, relationships, and cultural connections. The right Social Worker can profoundly shape a child’s future by ensuring stability, supporting healthy attachments, and advocating for the services that sustain long‑term well‑being. If you’re passionate about permanency, committed to family‑centered practice, and dedicated to helping children grow up in safe, loving homes, we’d love to hear from you.

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
Equivalent education and experience are accepted
Detail oriented and able to produce accurate documentation
Advanced critical thinking skills
Ability to multi-task and prioritize
Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
A high level of energy with a results driven attitude suited to work in a fast paced environment
Detailed understanding of Child Welfare practice
Strong team member
Group facilitation
Ability to understand the importance of shared parenting and family connections
Ability to understand the importance of achieving timely permanence for youth in foster care

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Social Work with one year experience
Current NC Child Welfare Pre-Service Training
Public child welfare experience in a Dept. of Social Service in NC
Foster Care and Adoption experience
Resource Parent Curriculum [RPC] Trained

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive assessments of children and families to determine strengths, needs, safety factors, and permanency options
Develop adoption case plans with children and families, incorporating their voices, goals, and cultural considerations
Facilitate Child and Family Team meetings, Adoption Preparation meetings, Permanency Services Reviews, and meetings between birth families and prospective adoptive parents
Maintain ongoing communication with children, birth families, adoptive families, caregivers, schools, service providers, and community partners
Conduct regular home visits, supervise visits when needed, and prepare families for adoption transitions
Coordinate referrals to medical, mental health, dental, developmental, educational, and supportive services
Participate in concurrent planning and ensure timely movement toward adoption, guardianship, or placement with relatives/fictive kin
Prepare high‑quality documentation in accordance with state and county policy, including assessments, court reports, adoptive background summaries, AAPS documentation, day sheets, time sheets, and mileage logs
Testify in adjudications, permanency hearings, TPR proceedings, and adoption‑related court actions
Educate agency staff, community partners, and caregivers on adoption processes, trauma‑informed permanency work, and the unique needs of children moving toward adoption
Support families post‑placement as they navigate adjustment, bonding, and service needs leading up to finalization