SOCIAL WORKER III - 40001426

Durham County Government; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Government in Durham is seeking a senior social worker to provide intensive services in complex cases across child welfare, protective services, and foster care.

You will assess family dynamics, prepare court summaries, testify as an expert witness, and collaborate with local agencies to ensure safety and permanency for children, with opportunities to mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited school.
• Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school and completion of Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only).
• Bachelor's degree in social work and one year directly related experience; or a related human services degree with experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work services in adult and child protective services, custody and foster care, including expert court testimony.
• Assess family dynamics and needs, provide crisis intervention, and participate in research activities.
• Prepare court summaries and participate in associated court proceedings; supervise and train lower level staff and interns.

Skills

Child welfare

Family dynamics

Adoption experience

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Confidentiality

Travel required

Judgment

Empathy

Organizational skills

Education

MSW

BSW

Job description

Join Durham County Government

Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

Department

SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS)

Date Posted

OCTOBER 30, 2026

Closing Date

NOVEMBER 13, 2026

Hiring Range

$59,879.00 - $80,800.00

Position Number

40001426

Job Type

FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

THIS IS A REPOST; PREVIOUS APPLICANTS ARE STILL BEING CONSIDERED.

General Description

Work in this class involves providing intensive social work services in serious and complicated cases which require the flexible use of a wide range of social work skills and intervention techniques. Services are provided in a variety of settings including local human services agencies, public health departments, correctional facilities, teaching hospitals, medical schools, juvenile training centers, and state institutions. Work may involve investigation of alleged neglect or abuse; providing in-depth assessment of family dynamics and needs, assessment, intervention and treatment of patients and or families with acute to severe medical and/or emotional disorders and mental illnesses; serving as expert witness at court hearings; or advanced social work intervention, instruction, and research in a teaching hospital. Work is distinguished from the Social Worker II classification by greater involvement in sensitive and traumatic situations such as custody and removal of client from homes, catastrophic and terminal illness, and/or family dysfunction. Employees supervise and train lower level social workers, students, and interns. Employees report to clinic managers, program directors, or unit supervisors.

Duties And Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

Employees provide social work services in the areas of adult and child protective services, custody and adoption, and foster care work which involve the assessment of individual and family dynamics and needs, serving as expert witness at court hearings, crisis intervention, and counseling. Work involves explaining diagnosis and treatment alternatives to patients and families, counseling and participating in education endeavors for physicians, psychologists, nurses, other health disciplines, students and social work interns, and participating in research activities.

Provides services to children in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services who are eligible for adoption due to relinquishment or termination of parental rights. Maintains thorough documentation of all case activity. Works in partnership with other community agencies. Prepares court summaries and participates in associated court proceedings. Completes adoptive preplacement assessments and child adoption profiles. Recruit adoptive families for children needing adoptive placement resources. Provides direct services to children and their pre-adoptive families to ensure the protection, safety and permanency of children.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of child welfare practices, early childhood development and family dynamics needed.
• Strong ability to assess and determine the needs of children and families
• Adoption and Permanency Planning Experience
• Knowledge in the foundations of adoption
• Strong written, oral, and grammatical skills
• Attention to Detail
• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential and time sensitive information
• Strong judgement ability
• Ability to be flexible and travel through the state of NC
• Ability to be assertive and empathic
• Strong organizational skills
• Professional commitment to help children achieve permanency

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only); Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.

Special Requirements

Requires a North Carolina drivers' license with an acceptable three-year driving record and a vehicle.

Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Background Check Statement

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.