Social Work Supervisor

McDowell County; Marion (NC); On-site; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Dental insurance

Vision care

Retirement benefits

Deferred compensation

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Holidays

Vacation

Sick leave

Paid family leave

Job summary

McDowell County is seeking a Social Work Supervisor for Child Protective Services to provide direct supervision and administrative oversight of CPS staff. The role focuses on child safety, permanency, and well‑being, guiding staff through complex cases and ensuring compliance with federal and state laws.

The supervisor will work with the Program Manager to implement priorities, monitor service delivery, and maintain professional standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or equivalent per NC requirements.
• Experience in child welfare, CPS, or related social services.
• Ability to evaluate complex case information and exercise sound professional judgment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise CPS staff and provide coaching, guidance, and evaluation.
• Review case plans, safety plans, and documentation within authority.
• Monitor workload, performance metrics, and ensure timeliness and quality.
• Collaborate with Program Manager to implement program priorities and improvements.
• Ensure compliance with NC laws, DHHS requirements, and confidentiality standards.
• Coordinate with courts, law enforcement, GAL, and community partners.
• Engage in multidisciplinary staffings, family meetings, and court proceedings.

Skills

Supervision

Staff development

Case consultation

Performance monitoring

Recruiting & onboarding

Legal and regulatory compliance

Communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work

Job description

Compensation is based on qualifications as follows; Social Work Supervisor I $53,454 Social Work Supervisor II $58,926 Social Work Supervisor III $64,968

The Social Work Supervisor – Child Protective Services provides direct supervision, leadership, and administrative oversight for social work staff responsible for child protective services, including child abuse and neglect assessments, investigations, in-home services, safety planning, and ongoing case management, as assigned. This position ensures that services are delivered in accordance with applicable federal and North Carolina laws, regulations, policies, and professional standards, with primary emphasis on child safety, permanency, and well-being.

The position provides guidance and direction to assigned staff, reviews case decisions and documentation, monitors workload and case progress, and supports sound professional judgment in complex and high-risk situations. The Social Work Supervisor works closely with the Program Manager to implement program priorities, evaluate service delivery, address operational concerns, and promote effective, timely, and consistent child welfare practices throughout McDowell County.

• Supervision and Staff Development
• Directly supervises, trains, mentors, and evaluates assigned social work staff.
• Provides ongoing case consultation, clinical and administrative guidance, and assistance with complex or high-risk cases.
• Reviews staff performance, establishes expectations, identifies training needs, and supports professional development.
• Monitors staff workload, case assignments, productivity, timeliness, and compliance with established procedures.
• Conducts individual supervision meetings and team meetings as appropriate.
• Participates in recruitment, interviewing, selection, onboarding, performance management, and corrective action processes in coordination with the Program Manager and applicable County policies.
• Promotes accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and a supportive work environment.
• Child Protective Services Case Oversight
• Oversees assigned CPS functions, including reports of suspected child abuse, neglect, or dependency; screening and assessment activities; investigations; safety assessments; and ongoing case management, as applicable to the assigned program.
• Reviews and approves case plans, safety plans, assessments, case documentation, and other required records within the authority delegated to the position.
• Ensures that cases are managed within applicable statutory timeframes and established state and County requirements.
• Provides consultation and direction regarding immediate safety concerns, protective interventions, risk assessment, and appropriate service referrals.
• Monitors case progress and ensures that required contacts, supervisory reviews, documentation, and follow‑up activities are completed.
• Assists staff in developing appropriate interventions and service plans that address identified safety threats, family needs, and child well‑being.
• Elevates critical incidents, significant case concerns, and decisions requiring higher‑level approval to the Program Manager.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance
• Ensures that assigned CPS activities comply with applicable North Carolina General Statutes, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services requirements, Child Welfare Policy Manual provisions, court orders, confidentiality requirements, and County procedures.
• Supports staff in preparing accurate and timely court reports, affidavits, case summaries, and other required legal documentation.
• Coordinates with legal counsel, the court system, law enforcement, the Guardian ad Litem program, and other authorized parties regarding child welfare matters.
• Ensures that confidential records and protected information are handled appropriately.
• Assists with internal reviews, case audits, quality assurance activities, and corrective action plans as needed.
• Keeps abreast of changes in child welfare laws, regulations, policies, and evidence-informed practices and communicates relevant updates to staff.
• Family Services and Community Coordination
• Promotes a family-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approach to child welfare services.
• Coordinates with parents, caregivers, relatives, foster parents, placement providers, schools, healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and community agencies, as appropriate.
• Supports timely identification of family needs and access to services designed to improve child safety, family functioning, and permanency outcomes.
• Participates in multidisciplinary staffing, case conferences, family meetings, court proceedings, and community coordination efforts.
• Assists staff in resolving barriers to service delivery and developing appropriate community partnerships.
• Ensures that children and families are treated respectfully and that decisions remain focused on child safety and applicable permanency requirements.
• Program Administration and Performance Monitoring
• Assists the Program Manager in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating CPS program operations.
• Tracks case activity, workload distribution, performance measures, required reporting, and compliance indicators.
• Identifies operational challenges, staffing needs, training opportunities, and areas for program improvement.
• Provides accurate and timely reports, case updates, and recommendations to the Program Manager.
• Assists with developing and implementing policies, procedures, workflow improvements, and quality assurance initiatives.
• Supports the preparation of records and information required for state reviews, audits, management reports, and other authorized requests.
• Participates in budget planning, resource coordination, and program development activities as assigned.
• Critical Incident Response and Risk Management
• Provides supervisory consultation and direction when urgent child safety concerns or critical incidents arise.
• Assists staff in determining appropriate protective responses and coordinating with emergency personnel and other involved agencies.
• Ensures that significant incidents, allegations, case concerns, and required notifications are documented and reported through established channels.
• Assess emerging risks in casework and brings matters requiring additional resources, authority, or management intervention to the Program Manager.
• Supports compliance with workplace safety, records management, and County risk management requirements.
• General Responsibilities
• Attends required meetings, training sessions, conferences, and professional development activities.
• Maintains professional knowledge of child welfare practices, supervisory methods, and applicable laws and policies.
• Responds to inquiries from staff, management, partner agencies, and the public within the limits of confidentiality and assigned authority.
• Performs related duties as assigned by the Program Manager or other authorized County leadership.

Education And Experience

The position should meet the applicable education, experience, and qualification requirements established by North Carolina law, state child welfare policy, and the classification standards governing the assigned CPS supervisory role.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications Include

• A bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, or another degree or educational pathway specifically permitted by applicable North Carolina requirements for the position.
• Relevant professional experience in child welfare, child protective services, family services, or a closely related social services program.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex case information, assess child safety concerns, interpret and apply policies, and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Experience providing work direction, case consultation, training, or supervision is preferred, unless supervisory experience is required by the applicable classification standard.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of North Carolina child protective services laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, child maltreatment indicators, safety assessment, risk assessment, and permanency planning.
• Knowledge of case management principles, social work ethics, confidentiality requirements, and trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to supervise, coach, train, motivate, and evaluate professional staff.
• Ability to analyze complex case circumstances, prioritize competing demands, and make timely decisions involving child safety.
• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and objectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to prepare and review case records, reports, legal documents, and program performance information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, families, courts, law enforcement, service providers, and community partners.
• Ability to handle sensitive information appropriately and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to organize work, manage deadlines, resolve problems, and promote consistent compliance with established requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must satisfy applicable North Carolina education, experience, training, and qualification requirements for the assigned child welfare supervisory position.
• Must successfully complete required background checks and any other pre‑employment screening applicable to the position.
• Must obtain and maintain any required child welfare training or certifications within applicable timeframes.
• Must possess or obtain a valid North Carolina driver's license, as required for assigned duties, and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Must be able to travel locally and attend court proceedings, meetings, home visits, and other work‑related activities as necessary.
• Must be available to respond to urgent case consultation or critical incidents when required by program operations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is primarily performed in an office environment but may require travel to homes, schools, courts, placement settings, and other community locations. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively, use a computer and standard office equipment, review records, attend meetings, and occasionally respond to emotionally difficult, unpredictable, or potentially stressful situations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

SUPERVISORY AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This position reports directly to the Program Manager and provides direct supervision to assigned Child Protective Services staff. The Social Work Supervisor is responsible for day-to-day supervisory oversight within the scope of delegated authority and refers significant personnel matters, policy questions, complex program issues, and decisions requiring additional authorization to the Program Manager.

DISCLAIMER

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Duties may be modified or assigned as operational needs require, consistent with applicable law and County policy.

McDowell County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long‑term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. We also offer up to 8 weeks of paid family leave to eligible employees.