Senior Social Worker III - Adoptions

Salary : $59,167.00 - $95,282.00 Annually
Location : Nashville, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-00008
Department: Department of Social Services
Opening Date: 01/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


General Statement of Duties


Adoption Unit. 2+ years Adoption experience required. Candidate must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to adapt to frequent changes, court experience, and leadership skills.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Permanency Planning unit is a dual functioning unit, providing both foster care and adoption services.

The primary purpose of the Permanency Planning unit is to arrange and support substitute care and obtain permanence for children who are abused, neglected or dependent when the agency has been given placement responsibility, either through custody or a Voluntary Placement Agreement (VPA) with the child's legal custodian/guardian. Additionally, the unit recruits, trains, licenses, and supervises foster homes. Lastly, this unit carries out the agency's mandate to facilitate the adoption of children who are legally cleared or whose permanency plan has changed to adoption.

B. Primary Purpose of the Position:

The primary purpose of the social worker in this position is to execute the agency's mandate to arrange and support substitute care appropriate to a child's needs and work towards obtaining permanence by:

Providing services to children who are in agency custody or placement responsibility as a result of their parents or caretakers being unable or unwilling to provide adequate protection or care.

Providing services to biological families/caregivers that will help them improve the conditions that led to agency intervention, thus facilitating reunification.

Providing support to foster families or other substitute caregivers to ensure a positive experience for all involved.

Developing alternative options for permanence should reunification fail.

Working towards a safe, permanent home within one year for children in agency custody/placement responsibility.

Provide coaching and guidance to interns and less experienced workers.

For families that are unable to find permanency through reunification, the primary purpose of the social worker in this position also includes executing the agency's mandate to provide services to the adoption triad which includes the child, the birth family, and the adoptive family. The adoption social worker's role encompasses the provision of problem pregnancy services to the birth family, evaluation and assessment of the child's needs, including determination of eligibility for Adoption Assistance benefits and the evaluation and assessment of the prospective placement family's ability to meet the needs of a child. Services are offered to find families for children in need of placement because their parents are unable to accept or to continue parental responsibilities to the child, Adoption serves as a viable resource for families who are choosing to build or increase their unit through the adoptive process. The adoption process requires a commitment from the agency to find the best home for every child who is cleared for adoption, to protect the rights of children, birth parents, and adoptive parents, and to enable adoptive parents to receive the assistance they need to help them to meet the needs of an adopted child prior to and after the Decree of Adoption is entered. The social worker uses the Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) curriculum to train prospective placement families. This curriculum helps families to assess their strengths and needs and facilitates the evaluation and assessment of the placement family's ability to meet the needs of a child. This position's responsibilities may also include the completion of relative/stepparent/independent adoptive home assessment on families as well as completion and submission of the Report on Proposed Adoption as specified in NC General Statutes and ordered by the Clerk of Superior Court.

C. Work Schedule:

The general work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an hour for lunch. The worker may sometimes have an early morning, late afternoon or evening appoint-ment which may necessitate the eight-hour workday being managed differently. In such cases, supervisory approval is needed. The worker is occasionally on call for emergency child welfare issues between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weeknights and also around the clock on weekends.

D. Change in Responsibilities or Organizational Relationship

None.
Essential Duties and Tasks
All responsibilities and duties described are essential to the effective performance of a Senior Social Worker III in this position and are listed in ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.

Case Management (50%)

The social worker participates in Child and Family Team Meetings prior to children coming

into care to help identify relatives and/or other options to prevent children coming into care. The worker prepares children and families for separation and placement into substitute care, places and monitors children in foster care, and provides or arranges for counseling and other supportive services for children and their families. Prepares children and biological family/caregivers and foster families for re-entry into the home or other permanent plans. The Senior Social Worker develops a case plan with input from the family and other members of the Child and Family Team meeting, identifying problems that lead to the need of substitute care. Worker will prepare written court studies and testify when needed in judicial reviews of children in foster care. Complete room and board payments for foster families and participation in the determination of eligibility for services for Medicaid, state foster home funding and or IV-E funding. The Senior Social Worker keeps documentation of all casework current within 7 days of last contact.

Likewise, the social worker will provide services to children who need adoptive placement, including providing preparation of the child for adoptive placement. This includes, but not limited to, completing Pre-Adoptive Summaries for the child(ren) in need of adoptive placement and in-depth assessments of the prospective placement family through Pre-Placement Assessments. Additionally, the social worker provides supervision of the adoption after placement. Case management in adoptions also includes: recruitment of families for children cleared for adoption and circulation of approved adoptive home studies; services to individuals identified as having an unplanned pregnancy; interpretation of adoption services; determination of service eligibility and Adoption Assistance Benefits; and serving on the Adoption Committee.

Lead Worker (35%)

Function in the capacity as a lead worker to provide coaching/guidance to interns and to less experienced workers in case consultations that will help them achieve a higher level of performance. Provide guidance involving application of policy and other job functions including preparation of court studies. Accompany workers as a support in complex situations in absence of a supervisor. Keep supervisor abreast of any work performance or training concerns noted when coaching staff. Provide necessary support to resolve problems and ensure that quality services are provided.


Conferences and Staff Development (10%)

Supervisory conferences and staff development activities provide guidance, feedback and evaluation of the worker's interventions and an opportunity to upgrade skills and knowledge of substitute care. Such conferences also allow the opportunity to discuss program questions, agency mandates and monitoring issues as they arise.

Community Liaison (4%)

These duties include public speaking, participation on community boards and committees, and participation in community affairs relating to substitute care and child welfare.

E.Other duties as required (1%)

These duties include, but are not limited to, Disaster Relief, including shelter duty, and occasional on-call for emergency child welfare issues.

Section III. Other Position Characteristics

Accuracy Required in Work

Accuracy is essential in the thorough assessment of the child and prospective placement families, so that all needs can be et and strengths and weaknesses are addressed. For financial reimbursement purposes, it is necessary that all criteria for foster home licensure be met, as well as eligibility requirements for families to participate in this program. Legal clearance of a child, for adoption, is essential, as is the completion of pre-adoptive studies of the child cleared for adoption. Accuracy in writing reports to other counties and states regarding placement and to the court regarding adoptive placements is also needed. The determination of Social Services Block Grant services, State Maternity Home Funds, and Adoption Assistance Benefits is essential, as is payment of any benefits under the last program. Documentation, time reports, daysheets, and other sate and county forms must be completed accurately and timely.

Consequences of Error

Children could be at risk for proper care and supervision if a thorough assessment and evaluation of the prospective placement family is not completed, thus jeopardizing a child's self-esteem and adjustment, as well as the family's functioning. Adequate representation to the court of the child's progress in their adoptive placement is essential in deciding as to whether a child's rights are upheld through the adoption process. Failure to insure a foster family meets all criteria for licensure could mean considerable liability to the county, should a child's needs not be met. If determination for Social Services Block Grant services, State-Maternity Home funds, and Adoption Assistance is in error, potential payback by the county to the State and Federal Government is a possible consequence. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation or reports may negatively affect agency funding and possibly lead to sanctions against the agency.

Instructions Provided to Employee

Instructions are provided to the employee, both verbally and written, by the supervisor through scheduled conferences, at agency staff meetings, in Adoption Committee, in the agency's foster care team reviews, at workshops, and in trainings offered by the agency and state as they are available and appropriate. Such instructions serve to provide guidance, clarifying information, and procedures essential to assure accuracy in the completion of job functions. These instructions may be in detail or in general, depending on the intensity needed.

D. Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee

Volume I, Children's Services Manual

Service Information System (SIS) Manual

North Carolina General Statutes applicable to Child Protective Services and Foster Care and Adoption

Social Work Code of Ethics

County and Agency Personnel Handbooks

Instructions from Director, Deputy Director, Program Administrator, Supervisor, and On-Call consultants

Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) manual

At-Risk Medicaid Manual

Emergency Assistance Manual

Supervision Received by the Employee

The Senior Social Worker receives supervision and review through scheduled conferences, meetings, informal interactions, reports, and an annual performance appraisal. Review for timeliness, quality, and accuracy is also received through periodic random case reviews by the supervisor, Children's Program Representative, and the Child Welfare Review by State staff.

Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts

The social worker has contact with unit staff, other units within the agency, clients, Health Department, other social services departments, Guardian ad litems, Mental Health, medical personnel, crisis organizations, churches, civic organizations, judicial systems, law enforcement, emergency services personnel, and the general public. Contacts are often used as a means of assessing and assisting clients as part of the human services delivery system.

Physical Efforts

The social worker must be able to move within and outside the agency, climb stairs, and use office equipment described in section I below on a frequent basis. The social worker occasionally lifts small children, cameras, suitcases, toys, car seats, etc. in the performance of duties. The social worker must travel to meetings and workshops in and outside county. Overnight stays are sometimes necessary.

Work Environment and Conditions

Work is performed in a county social services agency with contacts in the field. The social worker may encounter hostile clients, some of whom are dangerous. Clients may include those who are mentally ill, substance abusers, or those who are verbally abusive and threatening. Field contacts are sometimes required even in adverse weather conditions such as snow, sleet, and extreme heat. The Senior Social Worker may be exposed to infectious diseases such as scabies, head lice, flu, HIV/AIDS, etc.

Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used

The social worker uses a personal computer, printer, copier, calculator, camera, automobile, telephone, cell phone, iPad and car seats to perform duties.

Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulation Skills

Close visual attention is required when operating a motor vehicle. Case management duties require visual attention and mental concentration. Body language, eye contact, and behavior of family members assist the Senior Social Worker in assessing family situations and must be viewed carefully. Preparation of court reports, development of protection plans, and completion of risk assessments require intense mental concentration as does reviewing placement options for children. The Senior Social Worker must carefully document times, dates, and other factual information so that accurate assessments and recommendations are made.

Safety for Others

The social worker makes decisions daily that affect the lives of clients. The

worker assesses risk and devises plans accordingly Recommendations

are made regarding the removal of children when homes are not safe and the

return of children when homes are safe.

Dynamics of Work

Child Placement Services and Child Protective Services are periodically affected by changes in methodology, guidelines, legislation, and shifting program emphasis. Such changes may impact the assessment of family functioning, necessitate changes in forms and the implementation of these forms, affect the approval or denial of prospective placement families, impact on the legal clearance of children for adoption and alters the outcome of court recommendations. These changes are apt to occur at any time and effect work with birth parents, prospective placement families and children.

Section IV. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, and Training and Experience Requirements

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to complex casework and community problems in order to effectively work with the wide cross section of clients and their presenting problems.

Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques.

Considerable knowledge of developmental stages and tasks human behavior, and socio-economic problems and their treatment as the worker is responsible for identifying children who are abused, neglected, or dependent, assessing the contributory factors and making recommendations for solutions to the identified problems.

Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and other resources within the community.

Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies which govern Child Protective Services.

General knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, clients, associates, social, medical, legal, civic and religious organizations.

Ability to supervise, train or orient lower-level employees, students or interns, exhibited by strong leadership skills.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely - orally and in writing.

Ability to plan and execute work effectively.

Ability to operate an automobile.

Ability to use a personal computer and access the State Network.

Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with conflict situations and personalities.

Ability to function with a high level of autonomy.

Ability to function cooperatively with members of a team.

Ability to accept constructive criticism.

Ability to refrain from causing or contributing to disruptions or hostility in the workplace.

Ability to make thorough assessments through intense observation skills, interviews, and social work practice and be able to accurately orally and in writing communicate the process and results of the assessment.

Desirable Education and Experience
Two years directly related experience in NC Department of Social Services.


License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation

Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.

Must have reliable vehicle available for work always available.

Valid North Carolina driver's license is required.
INSURANCE PROGRAMS
Nash County offers cafeteria-style benefits including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurances)
- Disability Insurance (Long-Term and Short-Term Disability)
and more!
FINANCIAL PROGRAMS
Retirement

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. Employees contribute 6% of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have 5 years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a 5% contribution based on monthly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 Deferred Compensation

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

Special Separation Allowance

The Separation Allowance is available to law enforcement officers between the ages of 55 and 62 years that are eligible and retire under the provisions of the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System.

125 Flexible Benefit Plan

Flexible Spending Account options are available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Convenience Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

• Health Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.
• Dependent Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is a condition of employment for all employees. Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.
LEAVE PROGRAMS
Vacation Leave

For regular full-time County employees, vacation leave accrues based on length of service in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated vacation leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit.

Sick Leave

For regular full-time County employees, sick leave accrues each pay-cycle. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

Holidays

The policy of the County is to follow the holiday schedule as published by the State of North Carolina each year.
The following holidays are observed:

• New Year's Day,
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and
• Three (3) days at Christmas.

Military Leave

Annual Training - Reserves and National Guard -Ten paid workdays per fiscal year.
Active Duty - Reserves and National Guard - Ten paid workdays upon activation.

Civil Leave

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

Family Medical Leave Act

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.
OTHER PROGRAMS
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

Wellness Center and Telemedicine

We believe that staying healthy is inclusive of exercising regularly and taking care of your physical body. Nash County has a Wellness Center, which consists of various exercise equipment and videos, open to all full and part-time employees.


All full-time employees also have access to telemedicine through Teladoc. Teladoc treats conditions like allergies, sore throats, asthma, and more. Doctors are available by phone or video 24/7 from wherever you are. They are available to diagnose symptoms and send a prescription if needed.


NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

The benefits offered by Nash County are subject to change. In the event there is a conflict between the above contents and Nash County policies and/or a State or Federal statute, the policy/statute shall control. Plan documents will govern benefits plans should there be a conflict with this information. They are not held out to any employee as part of any contractual agreement. Benefits, policies, and procedures are subject to change or termination at any time.

Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Actual provisions of each plan will be provided on the certificate of coverage as part of the Summary Plan description.

Nash County is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Provider

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's Target Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at filing cust.html and any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.
To request a copy of the complaint form, call View phone number on click.appcast.io. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:


1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io; or
3. email: View email address on click.appcast.io

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
01


Which best describes your level of education? (SWIII)

• BSW
• 4-Year Human Services Degree
• 4-Year Degree
• BSW in Child Welfare Collaborative
• Masters Degree in Social Work
• Masters Degree in Human Services Field
• High School Diploma or GED
• No HS Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree

02


How many years of experience do you have as a Social Worker?

• No experience
• Up to 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 3-5 Years
• 5+ Years

03


How many years of experience do you have in Adoptions and Foster Care?

• No Experience
• 0 - 1 Year
• 1 - 2 Years
• 2 - 3 Years
• 3 - 5 Years
• More than 5yrs

04


Do you have a valid NC drivers license?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you own a reliable vehicle that can be used for work-related transportation?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have North Carolina automobile liability insurance on your vehicle?

• Yes
• No

07


Employees are expected to work in emergency shelters and/or perform disaster related tasks.

• Accept
• Decline

08


Your application must illustrate all relevant education and experience you have acquired in the last 10 years, to include any gaps you have had between employment (gaps in employment MUST be documented under the work experience section of the application). Failure to complete the "Work Experience" & "Education" sections of the application may result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualification for this position.

• I have read and complied with the above statement
• I have not read this information

Required Question