SOCIAL WORKER​/Investigative​/Assessment​/Treatment Against

Social Worker I/A/T Position

Employment Opportunity

Columbus County Department of Social Services

October 7, 2026

Position:
Social Worker / Investigative / Assessment / Treatment

Available:
Immediately

Salary: $45,969 - $68,956 Annually (For fully qualified SW I/A/T)

Hiring Rate: $45,969

Position #:

Close Date:
October 21, 2026

Description:

The position is a Social Worker IAT, and is located in the Child Protective Services Unit. This unit provides assessments/investigations for children and their families in Columbus County. The Unit also provides needed services to enable children to be safe in the community.

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 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 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 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.

One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.

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