Special Assistance In-Home Social Worker

New Hanover County; Wilmington (NC); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer paid 401k contributions

NC Retirement system participation

Flex time and telework availability

Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid

Paid holidays per year

Paid parental leave

Education leave for degree advancement

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

New Hanover County’s Department of Social Services seeks a Special Assistance In-Home Aid Social Worker to support adults with disabilities, helping them live safely at home. You will provide case management for SA In-Home recipients, linking clients with services and community resources to promote safety and independence.

You will assess needs, develop plans, coordinate with agencies, and determine surrogate decision-makers when needed.

Qualifications

• MSW from an accredited school (required).
• BSW from an accredited school + 1 year related social work experience.
• 4-year degree in human services with 15 semester hours in social work + 2 years related social work experience.
• 4-year degree in a field outside human services with 3 years related social work experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial client assessments and identify strengths, needs, and support services.
• Develop service plans that promote client safety, independence, and well-being.
• Assist adults with disabilities and families in accessing programs and services that provide protection and support.
• Assess clients’ capacity to make decisions about their lives and determine surrogate decision-maker needs.
• Coordinate services with community agencies and service providers.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Prioritization

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Education

MSW from an accredited school

BSW from an accredited school + 1 year related experience

4-year human services degree + 15 semester hours in SW + 2 years related experience

4-year degree outside human services + 3 years related SW experience

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

The New Hanover County Department of Social Services is seeking a Special Assistance In-Home Aid Social Worker to support adults with disabilities and help them remain safely and independently in their homes. This position provides case management for eligible recipients of Special Assistance (SA) In-Home financial assistance by connecting clients and families with services, resources, and community support.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct initial client assessments and identify individual strengths, needs, and support services.
• Develop service plans that promote client safety, independence, and well-being.
• Assist adults with disabilities and their families in accessing programs and services that provide protection and support.
• Assess clients’ capacity to make decisions about their lives and determine when a surrogate decision-maker may be needed.
• Coordinate services with community agencies and service providers.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover 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.

Salary Information

Thetarget hiring rangefor this position is$60,943.00 - $80,764.50. The full salary range for an incumbent hired into this position is $60,943 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 planthrough 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 in a field outside of human services and 3 years of related social work experience;
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 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.

Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

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 still equals one yearof social worker experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to prioritize workload and maintain administrative duties while balancing field work
• Identify and assess risk, address safety issues, & problem-solve with families to create solutions
• Ability to make connections with families and support family-centered principles
• Ability to make decisions without regard to that personal prejudices, biases, and experiences and respect the value of individual differences at all levels of the organization
• Ability to think critically during conflict and high-stress situations and exercise sound judgement
• Ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with peers, colleagues, managers, providers, the community and other professionals
• Thorough knowledge of agency procedures and resources, community systems and resources, manual material, state and federal regulations, permanency planning philosophy, and laws governing protective services for children.
• Knowledge of basic criminal justice procedures, elements of medical and mental disorders, personality theory, family systems dynamics, interpersonal relations, and cultural differences, values and lifestyles.
• Firmly adhere to codes of conduct and ethical principles
• Ability to navigate technology and quickly learn new and complex systems.

North Carolina Child Welfare Work

Watch a introduction into the daily life of a social worker and learn what it takes to make a profound impact on your community. The information is provided by the UNC School of Social Work, and the video can be found by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/Ybjt65VnAIg

Hours

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

Application Status

This job is posted continuously until filled with a priority consideration date of Thursday 11/19/2026. 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. Updates regarding your application status can be viewed through your applicant portal. If you have interviewed for a position and would like to inquire about the status of your interview, please contact the hiring manager that you interviewed with.

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