Social Worker - Investigative​/Assessment and Treatment; Child Protective Services

Social Worker – Investigative/Assessment and Treatment (Child Protective Services)

Job : #51775, #51907, #51438, #51436
Department:
Social Services
Category:
Social Services
Posting Date:
December 12, 2025 8:00 AM
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled
Salary: $59,842.00 - $71,822.00 per year ($28.77 - $34.53 per hour)

Description Of Work: Advanced level of social work position that involves initiating and assessing reports of alleged child abuse, neglect and/or dependency, and providing legally mandated, non-voluntary protective services to children and families to ensure child safety and prevent repeated maltreatment. This position works with families and legal caretakers to support and improve parent/caregiver abilities, ensuring a safe home environment. When an imminent child safety risk is present, the social worker helps parents or legal caretakers make temporary safety placements, works to remedy unsafe child‑caring conditions, or removes children from homes when severity warrants.

The role is full‑time and includes backup CPS on‑call duty on a rotating basis. Other responsibilities include adhering to federal and state laws, completing state‑required assessment and documentation tools, making contact with collaterals related to protective services cases, arranging medical, psychological, substance abuse assessments and treatment services, and collaborating with community professionals such as school personnel, medical and mental health practitioners, substance abuse treatment providers, and parenting educators.

Knowledge And Skill Requirements: Comprehensive knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices applicable to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of child abuse or neglect; in‑depth knowledge of policies and procedures of federal and state law related to child protection; understanding of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and psychosocial problems. Proficient in assessing risk and safety of client environments in various contexts;

skilled in advanced case management interview techniques; capable of preparing written investigative reports for the court and testifying; able to communicate effectively and build supportive relationships with clients and professionals in the community.

Minimum Training And Experience Requirements: Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a Master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a four‑year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience;

or graduation from a four‑year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation, pastoral or related human service counseling; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.

Special Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• In accordance with the North Carolina House Bill 612, candidates must undergo an SBI fingerprint criminal background investigation.

Application Process: Burke County paper applications can be obtained at the Human Resources office, 200 Avery Ave., Morganton, NC, Monday‑Friday 8:00 a.m.‑5:00 p.m.; online applications are available kenc.org. Completed applications should provide a complete work history, including a detailed and thorough list of job duties. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Burke County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Tools:

• Download Application
• Apply Online