Social Worker; Invest​/Assess & In Home Services

Job Overview

Cabarrus County is hiring a Social Worker to conduct investigations and assessments of children who may be experiencing abuse, neglect or dependency. The successful candidate will engage families to develop plans to reduce risk, provide counseling, and facilitate services to keep children safe in their homes. The role may require after‑hours (after 5 pm) and weekend work.

Salary: $57,657.60 – $68,972.80 (Pay grade 21). Placement normally at entry level through 35% percentile.

Performs professional work providing protective, investigative, counseling and case‑management services for at‑risk children under the direction of a Social Work Supervisor III.

• Investigate and substantiate alleged abuse and neglect; provide expert testimony in court hearings.
• Assess children’s needs, develop service plans, and follow up on case management, treatment referrals, and preventive services.
• Maintain detailed court summaries, reports, and confidential records.
• Provide crisis response and immediate interventions in complex cases.
• Offer individual, family, or group counseling and education.
• Conduct safety planning and referrals for foster care or residential placement when necessary.
• Interview children, families, and collateral contacts; collect background information.
• Implement initial service plans or in‑home service plans, monitor progress, and adjust referrals.
• Collaborate with foster parents, group‑home staff, and community partners through Child & Family Team meetings.
• Travel to homes, schools, health facilities, and other agencies.
• Attend case conferences, staffing meetings with legal, court personnel, and DSS staff.
• Assist peers with case work during evenings, weekends, or holidays and support supervisors with case reviews.
• Respond to crises calmly and de‑escalate situations.
• Perform related duties such as emergency shelter operations as required.

Thorough knowledge of social work principles, federal and state child‑welfare laws, and best practices in investigative casework. Proficiency with office equipment, computers, and case‑management software. Ability to write clear reports, testify as an expert witness, and interview families to establish support and safety. Extensive understanding of community resources, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the ability to motivate resistant clients.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and one year of social‑work experience or qualifying internship.
• Master’s in Social Work.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and two years of social‑work experience.
• Master’s degree in Human Services and one year of social‑work experience.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and 1–3+ years of social‑work experience (combination may be considered).
• One year of experience may substitute for NC Child Welfare Pre‑service/Collaborative training.

• Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• Availability for after‑hours, weekend, and occasional on‑call duties.
• Completion of required NC state child welfare pre‑service training and in‑service training.

Work may involve lifting up to 20 lb (occasionally 50 lb), climbing stairs, kneeling, standing, walking, and repetitive motions. Requires verbal communication and may involve exposure to hostile situations, unsafe environments, and blood borne pathogens.

Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job‑related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Degrees must come from accredited institutions and transcripts will be verified.

• Earned vacation & sick leave; 11‑12 paid holidays per year; floating holiday; paid personal day; bereavement leave; paid parental bonding leave.
• Local Government Employees Retirement System with 6% employee contribution and 5% employer‑paid contribution to NC401K (no employee match; optional additional contributions).
• Health insurance plans: consumer–driven plan with HSA, PPO plan, optional dependent coverage.
• Comprehensive health & wellness program with on‑site exercise equipment, instructional classes, employee health clinic, and employee assistance program.
• Optional dental plans (PPO or non‑PPO) with optional dependent coverage.
• Vision plan with annual routine eye exam and optional eyewear plan.
• Term life insurance of $20,000, employer‑paid, with optional additional coverage.