Social Worker III / SW III Trainee- Adult Services

This job posting expires at 11 : 59PM on December 07, 2025. No applications can be submitted after 11 : 59PM on December 07, 2025.

Job Title : Social Worker III / SW III Trainee- Adult Services

Department : Social Services - Adult Services

External Hiring Range : 29.51 - 34.96

Compensation Grade : 2009

Pay Range : $29.51 - $42.55

Posted Internally and Externally

Buncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.

Buncombe County is hiring one (1) Adult Protective Services Worker. This individual will report to an Adult Protective Services Supervisor who has a team of five (5). This team is part of the larger Adult Services Team of twenty-five (25) that includes Adult Protective Services social workers, Adult Case Management social workers, Adult Home Specialists, and an Age Friendly Coordinator.

The primary goal of Adult Protective Services is to ensure the safety of disabled adults. This is done by completing assessments to determine if there has been abuse, neglect or exploitation, and if so, refer the client to appropriate services. Priority is given to individuals who have done social work within Adult Services or similar experience.

This position will start in-person. Over time, a hybrid schedule will be allowed. The employee must reside within a two (2) hour drive from 40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, in order to be considered for the position.

Anticipated start date for this position is Monday, December 29th, 2025, or earliest available.

This position will be hired as a fully qualified Social Worker III or a Social Worker III Trainee depending on candidate qualifications.

The Pay Range for a Social Worker III is $29.51 - $34.96 an hour

The Base Pay for a Social Worker III Trainee is $25.77 an hour, until fully qualified.

Salaries are calculated based on education and experience above minimum qualifications.

As a Social Worker III Trainee, candidates will be hired with the expectation that to continue employment the selected candidate will successfully advance to a Social Worker III position once the employee is fully qualified. At that time the selected candidate will be promoted and compensated as a qualified Social Worker.

The selected candidate for this position will be required to submit to a drug test. Please note that CBD or Delta-9 Hemp products may cause a positive drug test.

Purpose of the position : The purpose of this position is to ensure safety of aged and disabled adults in compliance with state and federal statutes regarding adult protective services.

Minimum Education, Training and / or Experience (required at time of hire) : Master's degree in Social Work; or a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and one (1) year of directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services and two (2) years directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree in another field and three (3) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

• BSW and Social Work Collaborative Students preferred.

Additional Training and Experience : English / Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation : A current, valid driver's license.

Essential Functions of the position :

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities :

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.