Social Worker (Adult Protective Services)

New Hanover County; Wilmington (NC); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer paid 401k contributions

Retirement plan through NC Retirement

Flex time and telework availability

Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid

Paid parental leave

Insurance options

Onsite health and wellness center

Professional development trainings

Leadership initiatives

Opportunities to serve the community

Job summary

New Hanover County's Department of Social Services seeks a dedicated Social Worker to join the adult services unit. You will investigate abuse/neglect/exploitation of disabled adults, assess client functioning, identify needs, and develop treatment plans while coordinating services from community agencies.

You may testify in court and prepare reports. Messaged duties include documenting cases and ensuring professional social work services in line with county policy.

Qualifications

• MSW from an accredited school.
• BSW from an accredited school of social work and 1 year of related social work experience.
• A four-year degree in a human services field with at least 15 semester hours in courses related to social work and 2 years of related social work experience.
• A four-year degree and 3 years of related social work experience.

Responsibilities

• Investigate alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of disabled adults.
• Assess the functioning of clients in relation to their environments; identify strengths and needs; develop treatment plans.
• Determine capacity to make life choice decisions; coordinate services from community agencies.
• Testify in court hearings; document cases and prepare reports.

Skills

Social work experience

Court testimony

Case documentation

Assessment & planning

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Education

MSW

BSW with 1 year experience

Human services degree + 2 years related social work experience

4-year degree + 3 years related social work experience

Job description

Are you a motivated Social Work professional with experience in adult protective services? New Hanover County is seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Worker to join the adult services unit of the Department of Social Services. This position provides professional social work services by investigating alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of disabled adults. Duties include assessing the functioning of clients in the context of their chosen environments; identifying strengths and needs; developing treatment plans; determining their capacity to make life choice decisions; coordinating the delivery of services from community agencies; testifying in court hearings; documenting cases; and preparing reports.

Working for New Hanover County's Social Services Department:

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.

Living in New Hanover County, NC:

New Hanover County offers an exceptional quality of life with its picturesque coastal location. Enjoy the stunning beaches, water activities, and a variety of recreational opportunities right at your doorstep. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture, indulge in diverse dining experiences, and explore historical landmarks. The county is known for its strong sense of community, excellent schools, and a thriving arts scene. With a focus on good governance and a commitment to customer service, New Hanover County provides an ideal environment for both personal and professional growth.

Hours:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. All position assignments must be available to work during emergency situations.

Salary Information:

The target hiring range for this position is $59,168.00 - $79,877.00. The full salary range for an incumbent hired into this position is $59,168.00 to $100,586.00. Starting salary will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, and budget. Candidates with exceptional qualifications and experience may be considered for a starting salary above the target hiring range, but not to exceed the maximum of the salary range.

Candidates validated as bilingual by the County’s Language Access Coordinator are eligible for a pay differential when performing bilingual duties during scheduled work hours, in accordance with County policy.

Trainee Opportunities:

Applicants who meet the required minimum education but lack the required social work experience may be considered, and if hired, will be paid at least the minimum trainee rate of $56,351 and will remain at a trainee rate until the minimum experience qualifications are met. The maximum period for an employee to remain in a trainee status is two (2) years. All experience requirements must be met within two (2) years of employment.

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!

Minimum Qualifications:

• MSW from an accredited school;
• OR BSW from an accredited school of social work and 1 year of related social work experience;
• OR a four-year degree in a human services field with at least 15 semester hours in courses related to social work and 2 years of related social work experience;
• OR a four-year degree and 3 years of related social work experience.

Note:

Applicants who only have economic services caseworker or Probation/Parole Officer experience to count as social work experience, must have a minimum of two years of experience in order to be considered as a trainee. Experience counts as social work experience for one half the time up to one year maximum. For example, one year of experience equals six months of social work experience; two years of experience equals one year of social work experience; and ten years of experience equals five years of social worker experience. Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Driver\'s License and good driving record required at time of application.
• Valid North Carolina Driver\'s License required by first date of employment with good driving record.

Applicant Information:

This position is a continuous posting and open until filled, however, priority consideration will be given to applications received by Monday, October 19, 2026.

Application Status:

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. Please be sure to check your email for this communication so we may proceed with the next step in the recruitment process in a timely manner. 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.