Social Work Supervisor

McDowell County•Department of Social Services, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Work Supervisor – Child Protective Services provides direct supervision, leadership, and administrative oversight for social work staff responsible for child protective services, including child abuse and neglect assessments, investigations, in-home services, safety planning, and ongoing case management as assigned. The role ensures services comply with applicable federal and North Carolina laws, regulations, policies, and professional standards, with emphasis on child safety, permanency, and well-being. The supervisor guides assigned staff, reviews case decisions and documentation, monitors workloads and case progress, and supports sound professional judgment in complex and high-risk situations. The position works closely with the Program Manager to implement program priorities, evaluate service delivery, address operational concerns, and promote effective, timely, and consistent child welfare practices throughout McDowell County. The position reports directly to the Program Manager and directly supervises assigned Child Protective Services staff. It is primarily office-based, with travel to homes, schools, courts, placement settings, and other community locations as needed. The role may involve emotionally difficult, unpredictable, or stressful situations and may require availability for urgent case consultation or critical incidents. Compensation is listed by classification: Social Work Supervisor I — $53,454; Social Work Supervisor II — $58,926; Social Work Supervisor III — $64,968.

Requirements

Meet applicable North Carolina education, experience, training, and qualification requirements for the assigned child welfare supervisory position.
A bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, or another degree or educational pathway specifically permitted by applicable North Carolina requirements.
Relevant professional experience in child welfare, child protective services, family services, or a closely related social services program.
Ability to evaluate complex case information, assess child safety concerns, interpret and apply policies, and exercise sound professional judgment.
Knowledge of North Carolina child protective services laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, child maltreatment indicators, safety and risk assessment, permanency planning, case management, social work ethics, confidentiality, and trauma-informed practices.
Ability to supervise, coach, train, motivate, and evaluate professional staff.
Ability to analyze complex case circumstances, prioritize competing demands, and make timely decisions involving child safety.
Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and objectively in writing and verbally; prepare and review case records, reports, legal documents, and program performance information.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, families, courts, law enforcement, service providers, and community partners.
Ability to handle sensitive information appropriately and maintain confidentiality; organize work, manage deadlines, resolve problems, and promote compliance.
Successfully complete required background checks and other applicable pre-employment screening.
Obtain and maintain required child welfare training or certifications within applicable timeframes.
Possess or obtain a valid North Carolina driver's license, as required for assigned duties, and maintain an acceptable driving record.
Be able to travel locally and attend court proceedings, meetings, home visits, and other work-related activities as necessary.
Be available to respond to urgent case consultation or critical incidents when required by program operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing work direction, case consultation, training, or supervision, unless supervisory experience is required by the applicable classification standard.

Responsibilities

Directly supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate assigned social work staff; provide case consultation and clinical and administrative guidance, including for complex or high-risk cases.
Set performance expectations, identify training needs, support professional development, and monitor workload, case assignments, productivity, timeliness, and procedural compliance.
Conduct individual supervision and team meetings; participate in recruitment, interviewing, selection, onboarding, performance management, and corrective action in coordination with the Program Manager and County policies.
Oversee assigned CPS functions, including reports of suspected child abuse, neglect, or dependency; screening, assessment, investigation, safety assessment, and ongoing case management as applicable.
Review and approve case plans, safety plans, assessments, documentation, and other required records within delegated authority.
Ensure cases meet statutory deadlines and state and County requirements; monitor case progress and completion of required contacts, reviews, documentation, and follow-up.
Guide staff on immediate safety concerns, protective interventions, risk assessment, service referrals, and appropriate interventions and service plans.
Escalate critical incidents, significant case concerns, and matters requiring higher-level approval to the Program Manager.
Ensure compliance with North Carolina statutes and child welfare requirements, court orders, confidentiality rules, and County procedures.
Support preparation of court reports, affidavits, case summaries, and other legal documentation; coordinate with legal counsel, courts, law enforcement, the Guardian ad Litem program, and other authorized parties.
Support internal reviews, case audits, quality assurance, and corrective action; communicate relevant changes in laws, regulations, policies, and evidence-informed practices to staff.
Promote family-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based services; coordinate with families, caregivers, relatives, foster parents, providers, schools, healthcare and behavioral health professionals, and community agencies as appropriate.
Participate in multidisciplinary staffing, case conferences, family meetings, court proceedings, and community coordination efforts; help resolve service barriers and develop community partnerships.
Assist the Program Manager with planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating CPS operations; track activity, workload distribution, performance measures, reporting, and compliance indicators.
Identify operational challenges, staffing needs, training opportunities, and program improvement areas; provide reports, case updates, and recommendations to the Program Manager.
Assist with policies, procedures, workflow improvements, quality assurance initiatives, records for reviews and audits, budget planning, resource coordination, and program development as assigned.
Provide supervisory direction in urgent child safety situations and critical incidents; coordinate protective responses, ensure required documentation and notifications, and raise emerging risks needing management intervention.
Support compliance with workplace safety, records management, and County risk management requirements.
Attend required meetings, training, conferences, and professional development activities; maintain professional knowledge of child welfare practices, supervisory methods, laws, and policies.
Respond to inquiries within confidentiality limits and assigned authority, and perform related duties assigned by the Program Manager or other authorized County leadership.