Permanency Services - Social Worker - Tiered

What You ll Be Doing

Wake County Child Welfare serves over 500 children in foster care. We are seeking a dedicated, skilled Permanency Services Social Worker tosupport youth and families during critical transitions. This role blends directengagement, critical decision-making, complex case coordination, and advocacy,all within a policy-driven, professional environment.

As a Permanency Services Social Worker, you will guide youthin foster care toward safety, stability, and long-term success. You’ll partner closely with caregivers, community providers, schools, and courts to ensure each youth has the support, skills, and resources they need. The position requires strong documentation, critical thinking, family engagement, and the ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders.

Adolescents in foster care are navigating schooling,identity, relationships, and the path toward adulthood while coping withinstability or trauma. The right Social Worker can dramatically influence theirlong-term outcomes by offering safety, stability, encouragement, advocacy, andlifelong connections.

If you’re passionate about empowering youth, strengthening families, and ensuring every adolescent has a chance to thrive, we want to hearfrom you.

• Conduct initial and ongoing assessments to determine youth and family strengths,needs, safety considerations, and permanency options
• Develop individualized case plans jointly with youth and their families,incorporating their input, strengths, and goals
• Facilitate Child and Family Team meetings, Permanency Services Reviews, andintroductory meetings between parents and foster parents
• Maintain ongoing communication with youth, parents, foster caregivers, service providers, schools, and community support to ensure safety, well-being,and case plan progress
• Conduct regular home visits with children, parents, and caregivers; supervisefamily visitation as required
• Coordinatereferrals and ensure delivery of needed medical, dental, mental health,academic, and developmental services
• Participate in concurrent planning to support timely permanency, including reunification, guardianship, adoption, or placement with relatives/fictivekin
• Preparedocumentation in accordance with state and county policy, including daysheets, assessments, court reports, time sheets, mileage logs, and other required records
• Testifyat adjudications, permanency services hearings, and termination of parental rights proceedings, providing clear and accurate information tothe court
• Educatesocial workers and community partners on the needs of older youth infoster care and advocate for appropriate services

Primarily Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:15 PM, with flexibility required for court hearings, family meetings, evening visits, and travel. Thisrole often requires working outside of standard hours, and this expectation isstated upfront to ensure transparency.

Travel throughout the state and occasional out-of-state travel is required.

This position is designated as an Emergency Service Workerand may be required to report during emergencies.

The Wake County Department of Social Services team is grounded in a deep commitment to connection, compassion, and community. We bring together experienced professionals who collaborate to support individuals and families through complex challenges, connect them with critical resources, and promote long-term stability. We value insight, innovation, and a solutions-focused approach, and we welcome those who are ready to contribute their expertise to meaningful, community-centered work.

Join us in making a lasting difference!

• Bachelor s degree in Social Work or related field
• Three years of job-related experience
• Completion of the NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC) traineeship can be substituted for 1 year of experience
• Valid Driver s License and "safe" driving record
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted

• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.