Social Worker - Western Correctional Center for Women
Listed compensation
$45k-$80k
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
- Agency
- Adult Correction
- Division
- COO - OPS - Institutions Operations
- Job Classification Title
- Social Worker (S)
- Position Number
- 60089887
- Grade
- NC11
About Us
The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees.
It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws.
This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community.
Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!
Description of Work
Reporting to a Correctional Lieutenant I at a minimum custody female correctional facility, this position works in the Programs Department and provides social work services within a correctional setting. Job responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Evaluating offenders' situations and their ability to manage these situations, developing offender social histories, psychosocial assessments, service plans and/or treatment plans and follow-up on respective plans.
2. Developing community or service resources and utilizing this knowledge to provide offender services.
3. Facilitating parenting classes for offenders.
4. Performing assessments independently to identify needs and establish an appropriate service/treatment plan to provide supportive/directive counseling to offenders.
5. Utilizing the understanding of social work practices and theories (an understanding of the availability and interactions of a variety of community services and agencies and of a range of service providers).
6. Utilizing NCDAC Policy's and Procedures and Facility Standard Operating Procedures, specific state or federal standards, and principles of a variety of supportive counseling techniques to provide offender services.
7. Working with offenders, families, habilitation/treatment teams in the development and implementation of treatment plans.
8. Interacting with a variety of other professionals, such a Department of Social Services, the court system, Probation/Parole Officers and more is required in the coordination of services, programs and consultation.
9. Performing other duties as needed.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the Minimum Education and Experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/Management Preferences are not required but applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:
Documented knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to individual casework, group work and community problems.
- Documented knowledge of the psychosocial, socioeconomic and behavioral problems and their treatment.
- Documented knowledge of governmental and private organizations and community resources.
- Documented knowledge of laws, regulations and policies which govern the program.
- Documented knowledge of basic medical terminology, disease processes and their treatment.
- Documented skills in establishing rapport with an offenders.
Documented skills in applying techniques of assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of their problem.
Compensation and Benefits
- The State of North Carolina offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Health Insurance options
- Retirement Plans
- NCFlex Supplemental Benefits
- Paid Vacation, Sick, and Community Service Leave
Paid Parental Leave
- Visit the State Benefits website for additional information.
- Salary Range: $45,431 - $79,504
This posting will close at 11:59 p. m. the night BEFORE the end date listed above.
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with established working hours of Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm and may require working beyond normal work schedule to meet business needs.
About Western Correctional Center for Women
Western Correctional Center for Women (formerly Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women) opened on July 7, 2008, and is a minimum custody facility housing approx. 360 female offenders located in Black Mountain, NC. WCCW renovated four dormitories: Greenwood, Frye, Sloop and Gilliat.
Renovations on the vocation building provided offenders with an educational classroom and an operating greenhouse. Renovations to the Buchanan building accommodated the increasing offender population and offer more educational classrooms and a medical wing. On Oct. 4, 2021, the facility's name was changed to Western Correctional Center for Women.
Supplemental Application Information
Application Process
NCDAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
Applicants must complete the application in full. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State application. Applications must include:
Complete education history (including high school)
Full work experience details
Certificates and licenses, if applicable
Education must be from appropriately accredited institutions.
Information provided must support responses to supplemental questions. Incomplete applications may impact screening and salary determination.
Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check and drug screen.
If multiple applications are submitted, only the most recent application received before the closing date will be considered.
Criminal Justice Certified Positions
If applying for a position certified through the NC Dept. of Justice - Criminal Justice Standards Division, click this link for specific certification requirements: Correctional & Probation/Parole Officer Certification. ALL applicants must:
- Meet Criminal Justice Standards requirements (12 NCAC 09G.0302)
- Pass a criminal background check
- Produce a negative drug screening result
- Successfully complete medical and psychological evaluations
- Possess a valid driver’s license
Education Equivalency Verification
The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at naces.org.
Veterans’ and National Guard Preference
Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB-23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD-256 or NGB-22, along with the state application.
PREA Requirement
The NC Dept. of Adult Correction must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape." Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction: PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions
ADA Accommodations
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), NCDAC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.
Contact Information
If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Celeste Robinson at celeste.r.robinson@dac.nc.gov or by phone at 919-582-6116. (Email is preferred and more efficient.)
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
Master’s degree in Social Work from an appropriately accredited institution; OR Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an appropriately accredited institution AND one year of directly related experience; OR Master’s degree in a Human Services field from an appropriately accredited institution AND one year of directly related experience; or Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field from an appropriately accredited institution AND two years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
EEO Statement
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter
Celeste Renee Robinson
DACWorkday@dac.nc.gov
Key Responsibilities
The social worker will evaluate offender situations, develop psychosocial assessments, and create treatment plans within a correctional facility. They will also facilitate parenting classes and coordinate services with community agencies, the court system, and probation officers.
Requirements
Candidates must possess at least a bachelor's degree in Social Work or a Human Services field, with experience requirements varying based on the specific degree held. Applicants must also pass a criminal background check, drug screening, and meet all Criminal Justice Standards requirements.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Social Worker - Western Correctional Center for Women at State of North Carolina a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Social Work — ranked against 6,494 active Social Work listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties, no weekend requirements.
Social Worker Career Context
Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 58% are remote, 36% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$62k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $66k in an average-cost state. 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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