Internal Only (CMHRP/CMARC): Child Protective Services - Social Worker

What You'll Be Doing

This posting is open only to employees in Wake County CMHRP and CMARC programs that will no longer serve as a provider after December 31, 2026.

Wake County Social Services’ Child Welfare Division is seeking mission‑driven, adaptable, and skilled Social Workers who want to make a meaningful impact every day. Our work is guided by three federally mandated goals:

• Safety – Protect children from abuse and neglect
• Permanence – Ensure every child has a stable, permanent home
• Well‑being – Support children’s educational, physical, and emotional health

We achieve these goals by strengthening families, applying policy with clarity, practicing critical thinking, and working collaboratively with caregivers, community partners, and the court system.

Why Join Wake County Social Services?

You’ll be part of a supportive, mission‑focused team that values professionalism, growth, and collaboration. Wake County offers:

• Comprehensive training, coaching, and clinical supervision
• Opportunities for internal mobility and career development
• Competitive benefits and retirement
• A team culture rooted in communication, shared responsibility, and service to families

About the Opportunity

As a Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Worker, you play a vital role in ensuring child safety while honoring the strengths, dignity, and cultural backgrounds of families. You will use sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and calm, regulated decision‑making to assess risk, respond to crises, and support families through complex circumstances.

This role is both fast‑paced and meaningful. Success requires balancing independence with teamwork, knowing when to seek supervisory consultation, and demonstrating confidence in the decisions you can make autonomously.

Strong candidates remain composed under pressure and are able to navigate sensitive conversations while maintaining professionalism. This position supports both CPS Assessments and CPS In‑Home Services, and duties may occur in the office, in the field, in homes, and in court.

• What You’ll Do
• Conduct CPS Assessments
• Evaluate allegations of abuse, neglect, or dependency
• Gather collateral information and apply NC policy to reach clear, evidence‑based decisions
• Use structured critical thinking to determine safety threats, vulnerability, and protective capacities
• Decide when circumstances require supervisory consultation versus independent decision‑making
• Support & Strengthen Families (Assessment & In‑Home)
• Provide services that help children remain safely at home whenever possible
• Build rapport with caregivers and hold difficult conversations with empathy, clarity, and professionalism
• Complete timely, behavior‑based safety plans grounded in policy and family capacity
• Facilitate ongoing monitoring of safety plans, caregiver progress, and risk reduction
• Ensure Child Safety
• Conduct regular home visits, including some evenings and weekends
• Assess the child’s environment using observation, interviewing, and risk‑assessment tools
• Respond to crises with calm, regulated decision‑making and clear communication
• Provide CPS In‑Home Services (If Assigned)
• Develop and implement Family Service Agreements with measurable goals
• Monitor caregiver progress, service engagement, and child safety
• Adjust interventions or safety plans as needed based on ongoing assessment
• Partner with providers, schools, legal partners, and internal teams to support sustained risk reduction

• Act When Protective Services Are Needed
• Facilitate foster care placements when safety cannot be maintained in the home
• File petitions and initiate legal action when needed to protect children
• Prepare and deliver concise, factual, and legally defensible court testimony
• Document Clearly & On Time
• Write accurate, neutral, policy‑aligned documentation
• Translate complex observations into clear, objective, court‑ready notes
• Complete documentation within seven days of each contact and maintain tracking systems
• Collaborate & Communicate
• Work closely with supervisors, colleagues, multidisciplinary teams, and community partners
• Share timely updates to support coordinated casework
• Maintain compliance with mandated reporting, confidentiality, and professional/ethical standards
• What Makes a Strong Candidate
• Professional Strengths
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong critical thinking and analytical judgment
• Ability to independently make sound decisions and recognize when supervisory guidance is required
• Skill in translating observations into objective, defensible documentation
• Reliability, organization, and effective time‑management

• Interpersonal & Clinical Skills
• Calm, regulated presence during crises and emotionally charged situations
• Capacity to build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries
• Cultural awareness and respect for diverse family systems
• Comfort navigating conflict, difficult conversations, and complex family dynamics

• Work Style & Values
• Coachability and openness to feedback
• Initiative and ownership without needing micromanagement
• Flexibility with after‑hours, court, or case‑driven responsibilities
• Commitment to safety, ethical decision‑making, and policy alignment
• Who Thrives in This Role

Ideal Candidates May Have Backgrounds In

• Investigations, compliance, or structured policy environments
• Community or family advocacy
• Behavioral or mental health fields
• High‑volume case management or coordination
• Legal/court writing, victim advocacy, or paralegal work

Work Schedule Expectations

• This role requires flexibility to meet family needs and ensure child safety. Schedules may include:
• Standard business hours
• Occasional evening or weekend home visits
• Court hearings and professional meetings

Rotational or Case‑driven On‑call Responsibilities

Make an impact. Bring your strengths. Protect what matters.

If you are driven by purpose, capable under pressure, and committed to supporting children and families with integrity, we encourage you to apply.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

This position is designated as an Emergency Service Worker and may be required to report to work during emergencies or county‑wide events that impact child safety.

About Our Team

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!

• The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
• 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.
• Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)
• Master of Social Work with one year experience
• Child Welfare experience as Child Protective Services in-home services
• Experience with a diverse population

Experience with Visiting Homes in Communities

• Public child welfare experience in a Dept. of Social Services in NC
• Experience working with children/families in a state or court administered agency
• Foster Care and Adoption experience
• Probation or Mental health related experience
• How Will We Know You're 'The One'?
• Maintain social, ethical, and organizational norms
• Firmly adhere to codes of conduct and ethical principles

Build and maintain positive, productive relationships with peers, colleagues, managers, providers, the community and other professionals

Weigh alternative actions and make decisions that incorporate opinions, facts, tangible and/or intangible factors

Deal with others in difficult and complex situations to achieve resolution or adherence to laws and/or regulations

• Use appropriate interpersonal skills and methods to reduce tension and resolve conflict
• Make decisions without regard to that personal prejudices, biases, and experiences
• Handle disappointment and/or rejections while still working effectively
• Deal with high stress situations calmly and effectively
• Stay with a job or plan until the desired objective is achieved or is no longer reasonably attainable
• Recognize and respect the value of individual differences at all levels of the organization
• Provide employment and development opportunities equitably to support a diverse workforce

About This Position

• Location: HSC Swinburne Raleigh, NC 27610
• Employment Type: Regular
• Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:15 pm
• Hiring Range: 30.34 - 40.96 Commensurate with Experience
• Market Range: 30.34 - 51.58
• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
• Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 8/28/2026
• What Makes Wake Great

Equal Opportunity Statement

• Background Check Statement
• Emergency Service Worker Statement

What Makes Wake Great

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is the proud home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, winners in 2006 and 2026.

In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county.

Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Bo