Social Worker IV - I/A & T

Salary : $52,963.58 - $74,836.15 Annually
Location : Social Services - 604 7th St SW Taylorsville, NC 28681
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600001
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 01/16/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Recruitment Rate / Range: $54,287.67 - $64,530.98


Position Description


An employee in this class is responsible for the investigation of alleged neglect and abuse, substantiation of the alleged neglect or abuse as prescribed by federal and state guidelines. The employee provides expert testimony in court hearings, case management, and preventive services for clients. Employees analyze situations and determine appropriate courses of action immediately or in short time spans and often under stressful situations. Employee should seek supervisory consultation as needed in determining the appropriate action. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Social Work III Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Dayshift workers manage a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases.
• Provides treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients of any age and/or with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problems including abused, neglected or homeless children.
• Completes clinical and social investigations, assessments of individuals and family dynamics, crisis intervention, referrals for treatment and placement in foster care or residential facilities.
• Establishes protection plans and applies intervention techniques.
• Provides group, family, or individual treatment to clients of any age and any developmental, mental, medical, substance abuse, financial or family problems
• Works cohesively with families, children, community, and in-agency partners to support and strengthen families.
• Continuously assesses the safety, risk, and well-being of identified children.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations is expected. Employee is required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during, and after the emergency. Employee is also required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

On-call Workers:

• Employees assigned to on-call will work the hours of 5 pm to 8 am in a rotation of 7 days on/7 days off.

2nd shift Workers:

• Employees assigned to 2nd shift will work the hours of 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children.
• Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law.
• Thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment history.
• Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for the court, case records, and treatment plans.
• Ability to employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services.
• Ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client's environment.
• Ability to employ expert negotiation skills in the most complex cases.
• Ability to analyze and assess child development safety issues in the relation to risk factors
• Ability to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information and limited access to consultation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.

Required Minimum Education / Experience

• 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
• Bachelor's 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 services field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or
• Equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Child Welfare pre-service training or obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Possess a valid REAL ID, U.S. Passport, or other federally-approved identification document acceptable for air travel, or obtain such document within 6 months of hire.
• A minimum of 24 hours of additional training is required for each social work position annually after preliminary requirements for pre-service training are met. Many opportunities are provided for the employee to attend program-specific and/or technical training. Additionally, local training and professional conferences are available as reasonable and appropriate.

Special Note:

• One year of work experience can be credited for completing the Child Welfare Education Collaborative.

Alexander County is a rewarding and supportive workplace, where employees are valued and encouraged to grow. We offer a full compensation package including quality benefits that include flexible options designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families.
HEALTH CARE
Medical Insurance - Employee medical insurance is 100% paid provided wellness incentive requirements are met. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:

Child: $75.00 Children: $225.00 Spouse: $250.00 Family: $425.00

Dental Insurance - Employee dental insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:

Child(ren): $19.28 Spouse: $21.47 Family: $59.52

Vision Insurance - Employee vision insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:

Child(ren): $4.19 Spouse: $3.77 Family: $8.12

WELLNESS

Health Clinic - Available to all County employees and dependents covered under the medical insurance plan. Covered visits include ear infections, colds, first aid, physicals, and other acute care needs.

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) - The medical plan offers alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, and others. Specific requirements must be met for partial reimbursement - refer to the employee benefit guide for more information.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Counseling services are available to all employees and dependents in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting. The County provides coverage for the first five visits per year.

YMCA - No joining or monthly membership fees for eligible employees. Employees may opt to upgrade their membership to a family rate of $7.50 per pay period.

Genesis Fitness - Discounted member fees for eligible employees - refer to the employee benefit guide for more information.

WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Holidays - Twelve days of paid leave are provided throughout the year to eligible employees.

Sick Leave - Employees earn eight hours per month; EMS employees earn 11 hours per month.

Annual Leave - Employees earn prorated hours per month based upon years of service and hours worked.
Birth Month Leave - Employees will receive the equivalent hours of one regular workday added to their annual leave on the second day of their birth month.

Community Involvement Leave - Employees earn eight hours per calendar year, expiring on December 31.

Bereavement Leave - Employees are given 24 hours of paid leave to grieve the loss of an immediate family member.


Parental Leave - Eligible employees can request up to 6 weeks of paid leave per calendar year.

Discount Tickets - Discount tickets to various recreational venues including AMC Theaters, Carowinds, Tweetsie Railroad, Biltmore Estate, and others.

FINANCIAL STABILITY

NC Local Government Retirement System - The Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS) is a defined benefit plan. Full-time and eligible part-time employees are automatically enrolled in the system. Employees contribute a mandatory, fixed 6% on a pre-tax basis. An employee is considered vested after five years of contributory service.

Life Insurance - $12,500 of Life and AD&D at no cost to the employee. Additional coverage is available at employee expense.

Longevity - After five (5) years of continuous full-time County service, employees receive an annual lump sum payment of 1.5% of their salary during their anniversary month. Moving forward, the amount increases by .10 per year based upon years of service.

401k and 457 Deferred Compensation - The County will match full-time and eligible part-time employee's voluntary 401(k) contribution, up to 2% of their salary. Sworn Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) receive an additional automatic 5% County contribution.


Tuition Reimbursement - Employees who have completed their initial probationary period are eligible to participate in the tuition reimbursement program of up to $1,000 per semester in qualified expenses.

Supplemental Benefits - The County partners with Aflac, as an employee option, for additional supplemental benefits.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (CIVIC) - Memberships are available to County employees.
For additional details on benefits, please review the Alexander County policies at or
contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
01


Please select your highest level of education completed.

• None
• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field.
• Bachelor's degree in any other field.
• Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work.
• Master's degree in counseling.
• Master's degree in any other field.

02


How many years of experience do you have in case management?

• None
• less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4+ years

03


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

• None
• less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4+ years

04


How many years of experience do you have in counseling?

• None
• less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4+ years

05


Do you have a valid North Carolina driver's license?

• No
• Yes

06


Have you successfully completed the North Carolina Child Welfare Collaborative?

• No
• Yes

07


Have you completed 72 hours of preservice training by NC Division of Social Services?

• No
• Yes

Required Question