Social Worker III (Adoptions)

RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

June 24, 2026

Closing Date for Receipt of Applications: Open until filled

Description of Work: This position involves the assessment and support of families and children pursuing adoption. This person will be writing Pre-Placement Assessments, completing Reports to the Court, and helping clients in forming a legal family. Adoption work includes Relative, Independent and Agency Adoptions in addition to work with Adult and Independent Adoptions. Work will also include work with the Adoption Assistance Program. This work will include initial determination of eligibility, and annual recertifications for Adoption Assistance.

This position involves assessment and providing interventions to strengthen, preserve and /or reunite families after children have come in to agency custody. This person will be developing family services case plans with the family; helping families improve the conditions in the home that caused agency intervention while ensuring a stable, safe, nurturing, and appropriate temporary living arrangement for children removed from their homes. Work involves providing, arranging for and coordinating interventions and services as needed for children ages birth to 18 years of age who have been abused, neglected and/or dependent and to their parents or caregivers in order to focus on child safety and protection, family preservation/reunification and the prevention of future abuse, neglect and/or dependency. Work may include any aspect of work as a foster care social worker including foster family recruitment, licensing and training.

Worker must be able to communicate well with clients, supervisors and co-workers and also possess the ability to make independent decisions when needed. This worker will be required to make decisions which affect the safety and well-being of clients in neglectful or abusive situations. Work involves making visits to client’s home to monitor and assess the family’s situation, and also visits to other agencies, facilities, schools, hospitals and foster homes. Work may also involve rotating shifts of after-hours on call for protective services.

Work is performed in cooperative partnership with community service providers, law enforcement, and the court system. Work must be accurate and done in accordance with state law. Performs related duties as required.

Special Conditions: Requires valid driver’s license, and a good driving record. Requires after hours work and on-call duties as assigned.

Minimum Training and Experience: Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; or Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative; or Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; or Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience. College Transcripts should be submitted with application.

Prefer completion of Child Welfare in NC Course (Pre-Service Curriculum for New Social Workers).

In the event we are unable to recruit a qualified SW III a lesser qualified applicant may be hired in a work-against status at a lower rate of pay. Salary would be based on qualifications.

Application Process: A completed and signed state application (PD-107) must be received by Brandy Clonts, Administrative Officer for the Cherokee County Department of Social Services, 4800 W US Highway 64 Murphy, NC 28906 on or before the deadline shown above. The application can be obtained and found on-line at the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources website (https://oshr.nc.gov/documents/nc-state-government-application-employment-pd-107) or at NCWorks Career Center, 800 West US Hwy 64, Murphy, NC 28906 (located next to Waffle King in Murphy). Resumes will not be accepted.

Selection Process: Selection procedures will include detailed review of applications and interviews for most qualified candidates. Reference checks will be conducted on the top candidate(s).

Cherokee County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, gender, genetic information, national origin, disability, and/or veteran or military status. Individuals being offered employment through Cherokee County are subject to drug screening and a background check.

Job Details