Child Protective Services - Social Worker - SISA Unit - Tiered sign on bonus up to $5,000

About the Role

Wake County Child Welfare Division has three federally mandated goals:

• Safety – children will be protected from harm from child abuse and neglect.
• Permanence – children entering foster care will be reunited with family or placed in a new permanent home as quickly as possible.
• Well-being – the educational, health, and overall well-being of children in foster care or receiving CPS In-Home Services will be enhanced.

We are seeking Child Protective Services Social Workers in multiple locations for the Serious Injury Sex Abuse Unit (SISA) to join our team of dedicated professionals that protect children and enhance their well-being by supporting and strengthening families.

Responsibilities

• Receive and screen reports from the public regarding suspected child abuse, neglect, and dependency to see if they meet legal criteria for Child Protective Services (CPS) assessments.
• Conduct CPS assessments to determine if children have been maltreated and need protective services.
• Provide protective services to help families keep children who have been maltreated safely at home whenever possible.
• Place children in foster care when no other means are adequate to protect them.
• Quickly reunify children with their families whenever possible while looking for alternate permanent homes through adoption when necessary.

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.

Requirements

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's degree in Social Work and one year of experience in social work or counseling.
• NC Child Welfare Preservice Training.
• Child Welfare experience in a NC Dept. of Social Services, Child Welfare Division.
• Experience working with a diverse population.
• Experience with the delivery of services to community residents within their living environment.
• Experience in testifying in court.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain social, ethical, and organizational principles.
• Ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with colleagues, providers, the community, and other professionals.
• Ability to use appropriate interpersonal skills and methods to reduce tension and resolve conflict in complex situations while adhering to statute and policy.
• Ability to make decisions without regard to personal prejudices, biases, and experiences and deal with high stress situations calmly and effectively.
• Ability to recognize and respect the value of individual differences at all levels of the organization.

About This Position

Location: HSC Swinburne, Raleigh, NC 27610

Employment Type: Regular

Schedule

Mon - Fri, 8:30 am - 5:15 pm

Pay

Hiring Range: $30.34 - $40.96 per hour

Market Range: $30.34 - $51.58 per hour

About Wake County

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the Carolina Hurricanes. Raleigh, the county seat, is also the center of state government, hosting the Capitol Building, legislature, and many state government offices. 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. The County uses the Council/Manager form of government and is regarded as fiscally responsible, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, with over 5,100 full-time employees.

Wake County Government ranked #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. Raleigh was ranked #5 on US News & World Report’s list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.