CPS Social Worker

The Orange County Department of Social Services is seeking to fill several CPS Social Worker positions.

The work involves the responsibility for providing professional social work services for children and families where child abuse, neglect and/or dependency have occurred, which includes assessments/investigations, in-home services, or foster care/permanency planning. These positions are in the In Home and Permanency Planning (blended caseloads) program areas. The successful candidate will possess strong social work, communication, critical thinking, and time management skills.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Social Work Supervisor III, with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions regarding client/family needs and requests. Supervision is not required of this class. Does related work as required.

Bilingual applicants with fluency in English and Spanish are encouraged to apply.

Hiring range is based on the Orange County Social Services Step Plan. The Step Plan is based on years of CPS Social Worker experience. Full credit is given for years of experience performing the same job functions. Partial credit is given for years of experience performing related job functions. The top half of the scale is reserved for career employees with senior level experience in the same role.

* This is a safety sensitive position and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Program and a Background Check with fingerprinting is required.

Click the link below for full job specification which includes essential functions, knowledge, skills, abilities and physical requirements.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in social work AND one (1) year of social work experience;
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in social work AND two (2) years of social work experience;
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in any field AND four (4) years of direct social work experience.

• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle operated is required.
• All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a pre-employment drug test and background check. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Requires flexibility and adaptability to be re-assigned to assist with other DSS-related functions as determined by the Social Services Director or their designee.
• In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager, the DSS Director, or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations, as well as critical agency needs, should be expected. Employees may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours, and/or work location.
• Must be able to provide after‑hour coverage when needed to meet the needs of caseload assignments. After hours on call coverage is required.
• Must be able to assist with disaster management during major weather and other disaster events (i.e. staff shelters, assists with special outreach and prevention activities and assists with recovery efforts); requires flexibility with working hours as established schedules may change and ability to adjust during quickly changing and stressful situations.

In accordance with Section 28 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, and/or relevant State and Federal statutes, candidates for employment may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal history background check based on the job responsibilities of the position. A fingerprinting check is conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and a criminal history background check is conducted by an authorized Federal or State regulatory agency to determine eligibility for appointment.

Employment is contingent upon successful clearance…