What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Services Assistant position at New Hanover County?
New Hanover County is seeking dedicated, reliable and compassionate Community Services Assistants to join the Department of Social Services in the Foster Care and Adult Protective Services Units.
Foster Care Unit
Positions assigned to the foster care unit assist child welfare clients, families, and social workers by providing transportation for children in foster care to regularly scheduled visitation at the Department of Health and Human Services. Duties will include picking up foster children from home, school, daycare to have regular visitation with their parents. The selected candidate must be able to lift babies/toddlers; appropriately secure children in vehicle child safety seats; and provide supervision and delivery of children to the Department. We are looking for a caring individual that loves children and can provide supervision while safely transporting to the Department.
Adult Protective Services Unit
Positions assigned to the adult protective services unit assist elderly, disabled, and/or protective services clients with a variety of home management tasks. Duties will include preparing meals; providing support and companionship; teaching and assisting with light housekeeping needs; making referrals for other services; providing transportation, as needed; monitoring case progress; and reporting change/concerns to social work staff.
New Hanover County's Consolidated Human Services Agency is a single county agency that provides any combination of Public Health and Social Services throughout the county. The Social Services department is comprised of a team of dedicated professionals seeking to serve the citizens of our county through providing essential human services. The Department is a part of a dynamic, professional county organization with a clear vision as a vibrant, prosperous, diverse coastal community, committed to building a sustainable future for generations to come. Ideal candidates for the Department of Social Services have excellent customer service, organizational and computer skills, the ability to problem solve and make critical decisions and above all, an overwhelming desire to serve the citizens of our county.
New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County.
Salary Information:
The hiring range for this position begins at $35,360. Salary will be determined based on qualifications. Bilingual candidates are eligible for a differential (5%) when performing Spanish language interpretation during the course of work.
New Hanover County offers:
- Employer paid 401k contributions;
- Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
- Flex time and telework availability, depending on your position;
- Paid sick and personal leave 13 paid holidays per year;
- Paid parental leave;
- Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
- Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work;
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance many other insurance options;
- Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center;
- Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives;
- Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
- And so much more!
- Candidates must be able to work well independently with little on-site supervision.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and computer proficiency are required.
- Knowledge of community resources and services; basic child development concepts; health care issues; state and federal in-home services guidelines; children and adult protective service laws.
- Skilled in operating computer hardware and software applications; using various office equipment; interviewing clients; advocating on behalf of clients; providing customer service; communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
Required Education and Experience:
- High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
- Nursing assistant or personal care experience; OR an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, training, and experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the functions of the role and successfully perform the essential duties, equivalent to 1 year of experience in a similar role or performing similar duties.
Required Licenses/Certifications:
- Valid NC Driver's License and good driving record
After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants referred to the department will receive an email requesting important information pertinent to the position applied for. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.
In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2(b), if this position requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the county must require the applicant to undergo a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI for all offers of employment made after October 1, 2025. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S. 143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties. Additional information on how to complete this required check will be provided to the selected candidate after an offer of employment is accepted.
Salary : $35,360 - $60,112