Social Worker III - Adult Protective Services

• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt

Carteret County Government’s Department of Social Services is seeking an Adult Protective Services Social Worker to join the team. Do you have good coping skills & able to meet deadlines? Are your documentation skills excellent and can you be very objective in your role? If you want to make a difference in your community, an Adult Protective Services Social Worker position may be the role for you!

Office location is at the Department of Social Services in Beaufort, NC.

Hiring range $57,702.20 - $63,472.42

Posting extended & expires 7/13/2026.

REQUIRED - Must complete pre-employment screenings including criminal background check, fingerprint background, drug test, motor vehicle report, and education screening. Offers of employment are conditional on acceptable results.

Full-time with benefits including paid medical, dental, vision and life insurance; retirement and 401(k) plans; and, paid sick, vacation and holiday leave.

Performs intermediate human support work assessing social service needs, counseling and assisting clients, determining available programs and services, interviewing clients and determining eligibility for services, developing service plans, providing services to clients, collaborating with community service providers to meet the needs of clients, managing cases, preparing and maintaining files and records, and preparing reports.

An employee in this class assists clients who are in need of social services. Work involves receiving and processing applications for assistance in accordance with established rules, regulations, and procedures including interviewing applicants to determine eligibility, making referrals, and coordinating with outside community agencies for the provision of assistance and services, interpreting policies and procedures, providing counseling to clients and/or families, investigating claims of child/adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and determining validity of claims.

Work is performed under the general direction of the assigned supervisor and is evaluated by a review of records, reports, discussions, client feedback, observation, and overall quality of work.

• Develops and prepares service plans to meet needs in areas such as physical/mental health and housing; handles referrals for counseling and mental health services.
• Interprets laws, policies, and regulations to specific area of responsibility.
• Completes home studies and/or home visits on ongoing cases; testifies in court cases.
• Provides counseling to clients with regard to housing, substance abuse, disease processes, etc; performs family and client assessments to identify issues and needs; defines and establishes attainable goals; coordinates services for eligible programs.
• Investigates complaints from schools, hospitals, etc.; determines if reported incidents meet the legal definition of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; notifies law enforcement for reports alleging criminal acts.
• Arranges placements in day care centers, nursing and/or rest homes, foster homes, and adoptive homes; keeps the family informed; monitors placement of the client.
• Prepares a variety of forms, reports and other types of correspondence; submits required forms, reports to State; prepares and maintains files and records; enters a variety of data into computer system.
• Coordinates service with other agency services and programs and contract service providers; monitors contract providers to ensure compliance with program requirements.
• Reviews client service records, plans, and staffing with supervisors on case progress to determine if established goals are being met;
  Consults with Social Workers to assess needs and services available through the various programs.
• Develops permanent placement plans for children in foster care; recruits and trains families for foster care of children.
• Receives phone calls and office visits; gathers information and determines if an investigation is warranted in accordance with established criteria.
• Assists individuals and their families in arranging for guardianship; assists with completion of required applications; gathers medical information as needed to determine physical and mental status.
• Serves as an advocate for medical, social, environmental, and mental health needs of clients on an ongoing basis; acts as a surrogate decision maker on behalf of clients deemed incompetent and as an agent for the Human Services Director.
• Communicates, educates, and provides technical support to residents, families, service providers, and other stakeholders pertaining to programs and services.

• Performs related duties as required.

• Thorough knowledge of County and department policies and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable local, Federal, and State laws, rules, and…