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Social Worker III / Foster Care Licensing

Social Worker III / Foster Care Licensing

Transylvania County, NCWilmington, NC, United States
2 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Salary : $24.84 - $38.50 Hourly

Location : NC 28712, NC

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 00403

Department : Social Services

Division : FOSTER CARE UNIT

Opening Date : 09 / 11 / 2025

FLSA : Non-Exempt

About

Transylvania County is a community with a rich cultural scene, grounded in tradition and history and with a vision for the future. We are a community that has a wonderful public and private education system that provides our region with a well-trained and viable workforce. Transylvania County has a population of 33,211, featuring over 250 waterfalls with the highest, Whitewater reaching a staggering 411ft. For the outdoor enthusiast there are 1000+ miles of trails, 300+ miles of cycling territory including single tracks and fire roads; fly fishing from the many streams, pristine swimming holes and even mountain climbing at the famous Looking Glass Rock scaling 60ft of granite face rock. Come join and see what our community is all about!

The primary responsibility of this position is to identify and facilitate the placement of foster children with licensed foster families, while also recruiting, evaluating, training, and licensing new foster care providers. The role includes offering ongoing support and training to kinship families caring for placed children. This position assists social workers in locating appropriate placements and serves as a key liaison between foster families, DSS social workers, and community partners.

Essential Functions

  • Recruit and engage potential foster care families through outreach and community involvement.
  • Provide comprehensive training to prospective foster parents to prepare them for licensure and placement.
  • Conduct evaluations and complete the licensing process for foster care homes in accordance with state and agency guidelines.
  • Prepare detailed, accurate pre-placement assessments and home studies to evaluate the parenting capabilities of potential foster / adoptive families, ensuring child safety and suitability.
  • Complete timely and thorough home visits and manage the relicensing process for existing foster families.
  • Support foster families through placement transitions and separations, offering counseling to address family crises and improve parenting strategies for children with behavioral and emotional challenges.
  • Serve as backup for investigations involving suspected cases of child or adult abuse, neglect, or dependency.
  • Provide counseling and intervention services to families to prevent or resolve issues that may lead to abuse or neglect.
  • Make referrals to appropriate community resources to help families overcome barriers to stability and safety.
  • Initiate court actions when necessary and prepare documentation and case materials for legal proceedings.
  • Provide backup Intake coverage for the Adult Protective Services and Children's Protective Services units as needed, by taking and completion of reports, complaints, concerns, and general assistance.
  • Participate in a rotating schedule of after-hours on-call duties with other team members.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of child welfare laws, foster care policies, and trauma-informed practices.
  • Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practice as they relate to casework, group work, and community problems.
  • Strong verbal and written communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to conduct assessments, home studies, and provide counseling support.
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and establish effective working relationships.
  • Skilled in crisis intervention and working with families facing emotional or behavioral challenges.
  • Proficient in case management systems and basic office software.

    • Work Schedule :

    This position requires a standard full-time schedule with occasional evenings and weekends as needed. Participation in a rotating after-hours on-call schedule is required.

    Physical Demands

  • Frequent travel for home visits, meetings, and court appearances is required.
  • Duties may involve extended periods of sitting, driving, walking, and occasional lifting of materials.
  • Must be able to respond to emergency situations and manage emotionally challenging interactions.

    • Work Environment

  • Work is performed in both office settings and various community environments, including private homes.
  • Exposure to emotionally charged situations and potentially unsafe conditions may occur.
  • The role requires flexibility to work outside of standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and participation in an on-call rotation.

    • Note : This position requires access to and use of confidential information. The individual filling this position shall sign a confidentiality statement as an employee of Transylvania County Department of Social Services.

    Education and Experience

    Minimum Education and Experience :

  • Could qualify as a Social Worker II- work against rate applied

    • Social Worker III - MSW; Bachelor of Social Work and completion of Child Welfare Collaborative; Bachelor of Social Work and one year directly related experience; 4-year degree in a human services field and two years directly related experience; 4-year degree and three years directly related experience; or master's degree in counseling in a human services field and one year directly related experience.

    Social Worker II - Bachelor of Social Work; 4-year degree in a human services field and one year directly related experience; or 4-year degree and two years directly related experience.

  • Preference may be given to qualified applicants that are bilingual in English and Spanish

    • Required Licenses / Qualifications :

  • Valid North Carolina Driver's License
  • Ability to pass pre-hire background check and drug screen
  • Directly related experience is defined as human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social therapy and treatment planning.

    • Medical Insurance

  • $50 per month premium paid by the employee / county pay remaining portion
  • Employee can cover children / spouse / family at their own cost for medical coverage $77.56 / $265.92 / $426.28 per month. In addition to the $50 per month for the employee.
  • Employees may qualify for a $50 per month discount. Beginning in 2016, employees must participate in the employee health screening including a base line physical and meet 2 of the 4 accountability standards set forth by the Board of Commissioners to receive the discount.
  • Waist circumference abdomen cir
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol Ratio
  • Hemoglobin A1c
  • Premiums may be pre-taxed which is a savings to your taxes, but if you pre-tax premiums you can't take the costs off of your taxes.
  • Blue Options PPO / Administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
  • Employee has choice of 2 Health Plans.
  • Plan 1 - Co-Pay Plan for In-Network- $40 Copays for Primary Care Visit, $80 Specialist Visit, Urgent Care and RX. All other services apply to $1,500 deductible, then 80 / 20 co-insurance up to $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum. See Plan 1 document for more detailed information.
  • Plan 2 - Deductible Plan for In-Network except $25 co-pay for Primary Care Visit and RX. All other services apply to $1,000 deductible, then 80 / 20 co-insurance up to $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum. See Plan 2 document for more detailed information.
  • Routine eye examinations only are covered annually for a BCBSNC network provider.
  • Prescription Drugs - 4 Tiers - $5 generic / $45 preferred / $60.00 non preferred / 4th Tier is 25% up to a max of $100.00. / Mail order is available @ 2.5 co-pays for a 90 day supply. 90 day supply at pharmacy.
  • Verify network participation, RX tiers, and obtain information at www.bcbsnc.com.
  • Self Funded Health Insurance Plan - Deductible of $75,000.

    • Dental Insurance - Can choose different level of coverage than Medical

  • Administered by Ameritas
  • Employee is covered under the dental coverage at no cost. An employee can cover children / spouse / family for $57.26 / $22.52 / $72.38 per month, respectively.
  • No Network of Dentists, may choose any provider
  • Provides 2 routine cleanings and exams with no deductible
  • For other services a $50 plan year deductible
  • 80% for root canals, fillings - 50% for crowns, bridgework, dentures
  • $1000 maximum for braces / $1000 maximum per covered individual per year which includes preventative care costs
  • Obtain information & replacement cards at www.ameritasgroup.com.

    • Term Life Insurance - Provided for the Employee - Dearborn National

  • $10,000 Life and $10,000 Accidental Death
  • Employee may purchase additional amounts. Up to $100,000 Guaranteed Issue for employee;$20,000 for spouse and $10,000 or $5,000 for children (at original eligibility). Otherwise late enrollees are subject to Underwriting guidelines.

    • Supplemental Insurance Products -

    Mark III Brokerage assists the county to provide a full-array of supplemental products such as Health and Dependent Care FSA accounts, Cancer Policy, Short-term and Long-term Disability, Term Life, Universal Life, Accident or Illness Policy, Hospital Indemnity, and a Vision Plan. The Supplemental Products are available during original employment or open enrollment in May / June of each year to employees at group rates and premiums are paid through payroll deduction. Policies will be effective on July 1.

    If you are interested in knowing more about these benefits view the following website for details. or a link is available on the county Intranet. Then sign up during your original enrollment window by contacting Human Resources. Some of the products qualify as pre-tax benefits. Website for information is :

    Electronic Payroll Deposit -

    County Employees are paid bi-weekly, 26 times per year. We deposit your payroll check. Deposits are available to all banks and credit unions. Deposits are made, so you can have access to your funds by Friday morning (payday). You can divide your payroll into two accounts, one you must specify the amount to go into and the second account would receive the balance.

    Retirement -

    NC Local Government Employees Retirement System - All full-time employees contribute 6% of their gross earnings and the County matches the contribution. Employees are vested in the program after 5 years of service. Transferable within the state system. The website for more information is :

    401K - Empower Retirement - 2% Employer Contribution, Voluntary Contributions, Rollovers, etc. (Info Available). The website is :

    457 - Nationwide Retirement Solutions - After 5 years of full-time service the County will provide a contribution of $57.69 per payroll / $1500 per year for employees. At 5 years of service, eligible employees must complete an enrollment form. The website is

    Credit Union -

    County Employees may be a member in the NC Local Government Employees Credit Union which is affiliated with the State Employees Credit Union. Local office is in Pisgah Forest. Payroll deduction and drafts are available. The website is

    Paid Holidays - (12)

    New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Easter Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas.

    Paid Vacation / Annual Leave -

  • 1-2 years = 10 days; 3-5 years = 12 days, 5-10 years = 15 days, 10-15 years = 18 days, 15-20 years = 20 days; 20 + years = 24 days. Vacation is accrued bi-weekly, therefore you receive 1 / 26th each payroll.
  • You may accrue vacation and carry over up to 30 days. Thereafter, at the end of the calendar year, if you have more than the 30 days, the excess converts to sick leave.
  • You may cash in up to one week of vacation annually, in lieu of time away from work.
  • In extreme situations employees may request to transfer vacation leave to other employees. Requests must be in writing to the County Manager and must be approved in advance.
  • Vacation should be scheduled in advance as requested by your supervisor. Complete proper leave sheets.
  • If you have prior active service in the NC Retirement System, Transylvania County will give you credit for those years of service toward accrual of vacation / annual leave.

    • Paid Sick Leave -

  • Paid sick leave is always equivalent to 12 days per year. It is accrued bi-weekly. Employees accrue 1 / 26th of the annual amount per payroll.
  • You may accrue sick leave with no maximum accrual. At retirement for every 20 days of accrued sick leave you will get one additional month of service time.
  • Sick leave may be used for doctor's appointments, personal illness or the illness of an immediate family member.
  • If you have prior active service in the NC Retirement System, Transylvania County will transfer in your sick leave balance from your most recent employer.

    • Wellness Center - Phone Number (828)884-3115

  • The Wellness Center is open M-W-F 8am -12pm and 1pm to 4pm and T-TH 8am-12pm.
  • The Wellness Center is a partnership between Transylvania County and the City of Brevard.
  • County Employees may use the Wellness Center for all services at no cost.
  • Dependents over the age of 7 who are on your Medical plan may also use the Wellness Center.
  • Appointments are encouraged to help minimize any wait and to make the Center Services flow easier.
  • Time away from your work location to visit the Wellness Center is not changed to leave.
  • Services include : Routine bloodwork monitoring, allergy injections, monitoring chronic illnesses, manage and authorize prescriptions, coordinate referrals, school physicals and testing for flu, mono and strep.
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    Social Worker • Wilmington, NC, United States