SOCIAL WORKER III; -Against

Social Worker III

Employment Opportunity:
Columbus County Department of Social Services

Position Available:
Immediately

Salary: $43,948 - $65,921 Annually (For fully-qualified SW III)

Hiring Rate: $43,948

Position Number:

-40-170

Close Date:
October 21, 2026

Description:

Performs social work activities in the Transitional Unit for Adoptions, ICPC & Licensing. Duties include but not limited to case management, assessment and evaluation, protective services on call, intake services, develop case plans/goals and make appropriate referrals to other services agencies.

Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems. Considerable knowledge of a wide range of medical behavioral and psychosocial problems and their treatment. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community. Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program.

General knowledge of the methods and principles of casework supervision and training. In certain settings, considerable knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnosis. Skill in establishing rapport with a client and in applying techniques of assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client's problems.

Ability to supervise, train or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns in the program. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of case load and their families as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.

Minimum Training and Experience Requirements:
Master's degree from an accredited school of social work; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work or counseling experience; or a master's degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling; or four year degree in a human service field or related curriculum and two years of social worker or counseling experience;

or graduation from a four-year college or university and three years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling, or a related human service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

We will accept a work-against, which means we will hire a Social Worker trainee or a Social Worker I or II work-against and train for the Social Worker III position.

***** ALL APPLICATIONS MUST HAVE TRANSCRIPTS ATTACHED*******

Official transcripts will be required upon employment.

Columbus County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Final applicants subject to pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Application Process:

All applications must include a signed Columbus County Employment Application. Applications may be submitted electronically, dropped off or mailed to Administration Office, 127 W Webster Street, Whiteville, NC 28472 or Columbus County DSS, 40 Government Complex Rd, PO Box 397, Whiteville, NC 28472 (Attn: Nola Wiles); or email applications to nwiles. Any questions please contact Nola Wiles at .

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Applicants will be given credit only for information provided in response to this announcement. No additional information will be solicited or considered by this office; therefore, persons who submit incomplete applications may not receive full credit for their education, training, and experience. Verification for education and work experience is taken solely from information listed on the Columbus county application.

Applicants will not automatically be given credit based on their position title.

All qualified applicants will be considered.