Social Worker IAT - Investigations

Salary : $34,831.70 - $49,011.70 Annually

Location : 15 Griffin Street Sylva, NC

Job Type : Permanent, Full-Time

Job Number : 20250229

Department : Social Services

Opening Date : 11 / 20 / 2025

Closing Date : 12 / 19 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Eastern

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Position Overview

This position investigates reports of child abuse and neglect and provides services to families where needs have been identified. Requires some availability after hours.

Salary Range : $34,831.70 - $49,011.70 depending upon education and experience. Will accept "work-against" applications.

Work Schedule : The Social Worker is scheduled to operate from the office between the hours of 8 : 00 a.m. - 5 : 00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the worker is assigned to cover any emergency arising during this time. This worker may be required to provide on-call after-hours duties as needed to respond to emergencies received by law enforcement departments in the county. The Social Worker may vary the work schedule to accommodate the individual needs of the clients.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work involves investigation of alleged neglect and abuse, substantiation of the alleged neglect or abuse as prescribed by federal and state guidelines, providing expert testimony in court hearings, and following-up with case management and preventive services for clients.
• Employees analyze situations and determine appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under very stressful conditions.
• Employees may provide group, family or individual treatment to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problem.
• Employees typically report to a Social Work Supervisor Ill under general supervision.
• Employees may have combined investigative and treatment roles or may have separate functions depending on the size and organizational structure of the departments of Social Services.
• Employees manage a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases.
• Work may involve providing treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients of any age and / or with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problem including abused, neglected or homeless children.
• Work includes clinical and social investigation, assessment of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement in foster care or residential facilities.
• Employees provide expert testimony.
• Employees exercise considerable judgment in determining whether abuse or neglect has occurred, to what extent and how it occurred.
• The selection of appropriate treatment for the family and clients requires significant understanding of their personalities based on assessments and interviews.
• Follow state and federal laws, program rules, directives, policies and regulations, professional ethics and quality assurance standards.
• Work is jointly planned with members of multidisciplinary teams or protective services committees and supervisors. Legal precedents are used in some settings.
• Work is reviewed by unit supervisors, program managers or higher-level administrators, usually on a routine basis.
• Assessments, interviews and service treatment decisions affect the safety and well being of children in abuse and neglect situations. Failure to follow-through on case management visits, remove a child from parent or foster custody or monitor treatment outcomes can lead to severe injury, neglect or child fatality.

Education and Experience

Possession of a valid, State of North Carolina driver's license to operate a motor vehicle. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Jackson County provides a robust offering of employee benefits including : employer paid medical and dental benefits, participation in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, paid leave (vacation, sick, and holiday), Employee Clinic, Wellness program, and supplemental benefit offerings. A full overview of benefits is available at