CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL WORKER- 40001451

About the role

Join Durham County Government Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

Department: Social Services (DSS). Date Posted: October 7, 2026. Closing Date: November 7, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Provides services to children and families to maintain children safely in their homes preventing entry into foster care.
• This position also provides services to children in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services who require reunification, relative placement, adoption and/or termination of parental rights.
• Makes diligent efforts to achieve permanency for children while monitoring their safety and well-being.
• Maintains thorough documentation of all case activities.
• Works in partnership with other community agencies.
• Prepares court summaries and participates in associated court proceedings.
• Considerable knowledge of child welfare practices, early childhood development and family dynamics are needed.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience;
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience;
• Master’s degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience;
• Four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience;
• 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;
• An equivalent combination of training and experience.
• One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.

Qualifications

• Requires a valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable three-year driving record and a vehicle.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children.
• Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law.
• Thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.