Social Worker/Investigative/Assessment/Treatment

Columbus County; Whiteville (NC); On-site; USD 46,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus County Department of Social Services in North Carolina seeks a Social Worker I/AT in the Child Protective Services Unit to conduct investigations and assessments for children and families and provide needed services to keep children safe in the community.

The position is full-time, offers a salary of $45,969 to $68,956 annually, and is open immediately with a close date of October 21, 2026. Training and potential work‑against options are available.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices for complex casework and community problems.
• Knowledge of medical behavioral and psychosocial problems and their treatment.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies governing the program.

Responsibilities

• We will accept a work‑against, and can hire a Social Worker trainee, or a Social Worker I, II or III work‑against and train for the Social Worker I/A/T position.
• Transcripts must be attached to all applications.
• Official transcripts will be required upon employment.

Job description

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

COLUMBUS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

October 7, 2026

POSITION: SOCIAL WORKER / INVESTIGATIVE / ASSESSMENT / TREATMENT

Will accept Work‑Against

Available: Immediately

SALARY: $45,969 - $68,956 Annually (For fully qualified SW I/A/T)

HIRING RATE: $45,969

POSITION #: 147-40-166

CLOSE DATE: October 21, 2026

Description: The position is a Social Worker IAT, and is located in the Child Protective Services Unit. This unit provides assessments/investigations for children and their families in Columbus County. The Unit also provides needed services to enable children to be safe in the community.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES- Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems. Considerable knowledge of a wide range of medical behavioral and psychosocial problems and their treatment. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community. Considerable knowledge of the 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 of assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of clients problems. Ability to 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 Training and Experience Requirements

Masters degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or a Bachelors degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a Masters degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; or graduation from a four-year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.

We will accept a work‑against, which means we will hire a Social Worker trainee, or a Social Worker I, II or III work‑against and train for the Social Worker I/A/T position.

• ALL APPLICATIONS MUST HAVE TRANSCRIPTS ATTACHED********

Official transcripts will be required upon employment.

Columbus County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

FINAL APPLICANTS SUBJECT TO PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING AND BACKGROUND CHECK.

Any questions please contact Nola Wiles at 910-641-3233.

All qualified applicants will be considered