What are the responsibilities and job description for the Permanency Services/Licensing - Social Worker - Tiered Sign-On Bonus Up To $5,000 position at Wake County?
What You'll Be Doing
The Permanency Services - Foster Parent Licensing Social Worker (LSW) within the Foster Family Resource Unit with emphasis on Home Consultation, Re-Licensing, Retention & Quality Assurance. This role will provide specific training and support to families and relatives that are interested in being licensed by completing the licensure process. Additionally, this role will develop and implement a comprehensive retention program to retain the foster families with Wake County Human Services and have the ongoing task of implementing program change and project development.
Essential 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 Weatherbridge Cary, NC 27513
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:15 pm
Hiring Range: 26.91 - 36.33 Commensurate with Experience
Market Range: 26.91 - 45.75
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 6/11/2026
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.
The Permanency Services - Foster Parent Licensing Social Worker (LSW) within the Foster Family Resource Unit with emphasis on Home Consultation, Re-Licensing, Retention & Quality Assurance. This role will provide specific training and support to families and relatives that are interested in being licensed by completing the licensure process. Additionally, this role will develop and implement a comprehensive retention program to retain the foster families with Wake County Human Services and have the ongoing task of implementing program change and project development.
Essential Functions Include
- Providing consultation, ensuring compliance with licensing/re-licensing standards, training, assessing, managing, and providing consultation services to foster and adoptive families who care for children who are abused, neglected, delinquent, or dependent and who are in need of out-of-home placement
- Providing group training, 1:1 training, re-licensure of the home, consultation, support and ongoing services to the foster/adoptive family
- Ensuring quality assurance to measure foster home census, bed availability, child well-being, and overall caseload outcomes with foster children
- Assessing foster family stability, skill development, and retention of foster families is also required
- Developing the twelve skills of fostering, shared parenting, and assists the family in resolving personal issues that may impact their role as foster parents
- Using Wake County data to effectively recruit, license and retain foster families that meet the needs of the youth in Wake County foster care in accordance with the Wake County Recruitment & Retention Plan
- Supporting the efforts of the Foster Parent Recruiter by participating in meetings with the community regarding becoming a Wake County Foster Parent
- Supporting efforts to expand and increase partnerships with the businesses, civic groups, schools and Faith Partnerships to increase number of families recruited and licensed
- Facilitating meetings held in community-based Information Sessions, Lunch-n-Learn Sessions, speaking at meetings, attending networking events, etc
- Assisting in coordinating events throughout the year to promote recruitment and retention of foster families to include National Foster Care Month which is recognized annually in May of each year
- Maintaining updates and remaining current with agency policies and procedures as well as federal, state and local mandates
- Seeking out, attending & actively participating in their own professional training activities that promote their own ongoing professional development and that promotes their own proficiency in working with Child Welfare involved children and families
- Assisting with After Hours On-Call for Child Placement as assigned
- Assuming the lead role in identifying a child placement
- Reviewing the information provided and uses this information to ensure that a match is made with a foster family that has the skills to meet the unique needs of each child placed
- As the Licensing Social Worker you will work with other team members and complete other duties as assigned
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
- One year 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.
- NC Child Welfare Pre-Service
- Public Child Welfare experience in North Carolina
- Experience working with licensed foster homes
- Culturally competent
- Planning & organizing abilities
- Conflict management
- Collaboration skills
- Critical decision making skills
- Team player
- Strong verbal and written skills
- Ability to assess home for safety
- Ability to lead and motivate foster parents
Location: HSC Weatherbridge Cary, NC 27513
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:15 pm
Hiring Range: 26.91 - 36.33 Commensurate with Experience
Market Range: 26.91 - 45.75
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 6/11/2026
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.