SOCIAL WORKER III - QAT/CATD- 40004602

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

Job summary

Durham County Government is seeking a qualified social worker within the Social Services (DSS) department to deliver intensive services in complex cases across diverse settings. The role emphasizes assessment, intervention, and coordination with families and community resources.

Qualified candidates will have a Master’s in Social Work, relevant experience, and the ability to supervise and collaborate with others in sensitive environments, including potential court proceedings.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work.
• Bachelor's degree in social work and related experience may qualify.
• Experience with intensive social work services in complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive social work services in serious, complicated cases.
• Assess family dynamics, intervene, and coordinate care across settings.
• May serve as expert witness at court hearings and supervise others.
• Collaborate with civic, legal, medical, and community organizations.

Skills

Social work knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Case supervision

Education

Master's degree in social work

Bachelor's degree in social work

Bachelor's degree in human services

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.

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

SEPTEMBER 8, 2026

Closing Date

SEPTEMBER 22, 2026

Hiring Range

$59,879.00 - $80,800.00

Position Number

40004602

Job Type

FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

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.

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, groupwork, and community problems.
• Considerable knowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral, and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
• Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, and resources in the community, laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program.
• General knowledge of the methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
• In certain settings, considerable knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnosis.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a client and in applying techniques or assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client’s problems.
• Ability to supervise, train, or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns in the program.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of case load and their families, as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, groupwork, and community problems.
• Considerable knowledge of a wide range of medical, behavioral, and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory.
• Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, and resources in the community, laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program.
• General knowledge of the methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
• In certain settings, considerable knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnosis.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a client and in applying techniques or assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client’s problems.
• Ability to supervise, train, or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns in the program.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of case load and their families, as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.

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.

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.