What are the responsibilities and job description for the Child Protective Services - Social Worker - SISA Unit position at Wake County?
What You'll Be Doing
Wake County Child Welfare Division has three federally mandated goals. The first goal is safety - children will be protected from harm from child abuse and neglect. The second goal is permanence - children entering foster care will be reunited with family or placed in a new permanent home as quickly as possible. The third goal is well-being - the educational, health, and overall well-being of children in foster care or receiving CPS In-Home Services will be enhanced. Federal, state, and local policy dictate that Child Welfare seeks to accomplish these three goals by supporting and strengthening families.
We are seeking Child Protective Services - Social Workers in multiple locations for the Serious Injury Sex Abuse Unit (SISA) to join our team of dedicated professionals that protect children and enhance their well-being by supporting and strengthening families.
Primary Functions Include
The Wake County Department of Social Services team is grounded in a deep commitment to connection, compassion, and community. We bring together experienced professionals who collaborate to support individuals and families through complex challenges, connect them with critical resources, and promote long-term stability. We value insight, innovation, and a solutions-focused approach, and we welcome those who are ready to contribute their expertise to meaningful, community-centered work. Join us in making a lasting difference!
Required
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
Location: HSC Swinburne Raleigh, NC 27610
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 5:15 pm
Hiring Range: 30.34 - 40.96
Market Range: 30.34 - 51.58
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 8/7/2026
What Makes Wake Great Equal Opportunity Statement Background Check Statement Emergency Service Worker Statement
What Makes Wake Great
Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. In Fall 2026, two at-large seats will be added for nine total commissioners. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, and the County has over 5,100 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Background Check Statement
Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
Wake County Child Welfare Division has three federally mandated goals. The first goal is safety - children will be protected from harm from child abuse and neglect. The second goal is permanence - children entering foster care will be reunited with family or placed in a new permanent home as quickly as possible. The third goal is well-being - the educational, health, and overall well-being of children in foster care or receiving CPS In-Home Services will be enhanced. Federal, state, and local policy dictate that Child Welfare seeks to accomplish these three goals by supporting and strengthening families.
We are seeking Child Protective Services - Social Workers in multiple locations for the Serious Injury Sex Abuse Unit (SISA) to join our team of dedicated professionals that protect children and enhance their well-being by supporting and strengthening families.
Primary Functions Include
- Receiving and screening reports from the public regarding suspected child abuse, neglect, and dependency to see if they meet legal criteria for Child Protective Services (CPS) assessments
- Conducting CPS assessments to determine if children have been maltreated and need protective services
- Providing protective services to help families keep children who have been maltreated safely at home whenever possible
- Placing children in foster care when no other means are adequate to protect them
- Quickly reunifying children with their families whenever possible while looking for alternate permanent homes through adoption when necessary
The Wake County Department of Social Services team is grounded in a deep commitment to connection, compassion, and community. We bring together experienced professionals who collaborate to support individuals and families through complex challenges, connect them with critical resources, and promote long-term stability. We value insight, innovation, and a solutions-focused approach, and we welcome those who are ready to contribute their expertise to meaningful, community-centered work. Join us in making a lasting difference!
Required
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field
- Three years of job-related experience
- Completion of the NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC) traineeship can be substituted for 1 year of experience
- Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record
- Equivalent education and experience are accepted
- Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
- Master's degree in Social Work and one year of experience in social work or counseling
- NC Child Welfare Preservice Training
- Child Welfare experience in a NC Dept. of Social Services, Child Welfare Division
- Experience working with a diverse population
- Experience with the delivery of services to community residents within their living environment
- Experience in testifying in court
- Ability to maintain social, ethical, and organizational principles
- Ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with colleagues, providers, the community and other professionals
- Ability to use appropriate interpersonal skills and methods to reduce tension and resolve conflict in complex situations while adhering to statute and policy
- Ability to make decisions without regard to personal prejudices, biases, and experiences and deal with high stress situations calmly and effectively
- Ability to recognize and respect the value of individual differences at all levels of the organization
Location: HSC Swinburne Raleigh, NC 27610
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 5:15 pm
Hiring Range: 30.34 - 40.96
Market Range: 30.34 - 51.58
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 8/7/2026
What Makes Wake Great Equal Opportunity Statement Background Check Statement Emergency Service Worker Statement
What Makes Wake Great
Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. In Fall 2026, two at-large seats will be added for nine total commissioners. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, and the County has over 5,100 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Background Check Statement
Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.