Investigative Social Worker-Children's Services

Investigative Social Worker

The Investigative Social Worker is responsible for providing advanced professional social work services involving child protective services investigations, family assessments, crisis intervention, and case management for children alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent. The primary focus of this position is to ensure child safety through timely assessment of allegations, evaluation of risk and protective factors, and coordination of services designed to stabilize families and prevent further maltreatment.

This position conducts investigations and family assessments in accordance with North Carolina child welfare laws, policies, and timeframes. The Investigative Social Worker responds to crisis situations involving children and families, gathers and analyzes information from multiple sources, determines the validity of allegations, and develops safety plans and service recommendations. Work includes court involvement, collaboration with law enforcement and community partners, and ongoing case management when necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

Employees work under stressful and emotionally charged conditions and must exercise sound professional judgment in situations that may require immediate decisions regarding child safety and protective interventions. Employees typically report to a Social Work Supervisor III under general supervision.

Salary is based on experience and qualifications. Social Worker I $38,724 Social Worker II $47,064 Social Worker III $51,894 Social Worker IA&T $57,210

Responsibilities

• Receive and assess reports of alleged child abuse, neglect, and dependency in accordance with state policies and legal requirements.
• Conduct child protective services investigations and family assessments involving complex family dynamics, safety concerns, and crisis situations.
• Interview children, parents, family members, collateral contacts, medical personnel, educators, law enforcement, and other involved parties to gather information relevant to investigations.
• Assess child safety, risk factors, family functioning, and protective capacities to determine the need for intervention or ongoing services.
• Develop and implement immediate safety plans to ensure child protection when safety concerns are identified.
• Make recommendations regarding substantiation findings, service needs, court involvement, and placement decisions in accordance with agency policy and state guidelines.
• Coordinate and monitor services including counseling, medical evaluations, mental health treatment, substance abuse services, parenting education, and community resources.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and timely case documentation, investigative summaries, court reports, affidavits, and service plans.
• Provide crisis intervention and support to children and families during emergency situations and high-risk circumstances.
• Testify in court proceedings regarding investigative findings, safety concerns, and case recommendations.
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies, attorneys, schools, healthcare providers, foster care staff, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Participate in child and family team meetings, multidisciplinary staffing conferences, and case consultations.
• Conduct home visits and field investigations in a variety of environments, including potentially unsafe or high-risk situations.
• Maintain compliance with federal and state child welfare laws, agency policies, documentation standards, and mandated response timelines.
• Participate in on-call rotations and respond to after-hours emergencies as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, practices, and techniques related to child protective services investigations, family assessments, crisis intervention, and case management.
• Thorough knowledge of North Carolina child welfare laws, policies, regulations, and investigative procedures.
• Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, family systems, domestic violence, substance abuse, behavioral health issues, and crisis response.
• Ability to assess child safety and identify risk and protective factors in complex family situations.
• Ability to make sound decisions under stressful conditions and within limited timeframes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, families, law enforcement, legal professionals, service providers, and community agencies.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate investigative reports, court documents, and case records.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to testify effectively in court proceedings and present professional recommendations.
• Ability to manage crisis situations and de-escalate emotionally charged interactions.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective collaboration with supervisors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to assess potentially dangerous situations and maintain personal safety during field visits and investigations.

Minimum Training and Experience Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
• Master's degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or
• 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 casework, group work, or community organization; or
• An equivalent combination of training and experience.

Special Requirements

• Valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Ability to travel for home visits, court appearances, school visits, and community meetings.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations and after-hours emergencies as required.
• Ability to work in potentially hostile, unsafe, or emotionally difficult environments.