About this opportunity
Transylvania County lists this Social Worker IAT- Foster Care & Adoptions opportunity in brevard, North Carolina. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Foster Care & Adoptions Social Worker
Make a Difference Where It Matters Most. If you're passionate about supporting children and families through difficult situations, we encourage you to apply, even if you are still building your experience. Transylvania County Department of Social Services invests in team members who want to learn, serve, and grow long-term in public service. As a Foster Care & Adoptions Social Worker, you will provide services to children and families involved in foster care, adoption, and permanency planning services. This position requires strong assessment skills, sound professional judgment, and the ability to analyze complex family situations to support child safety, well-being, and permanency. Nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Transylvania County is a place where community still matters. With just over 33,000 residents, we balance small-town connection with big-picture vision. Known as the Land of Waterfalls, our county boasts more than 250 waterfalls, including the 411-foot Whitewater Falls, along with 1,000+ miles of trails, world-class cycling, fly fishing, climbing at Looking Glass Rock, and a vibrant arts and cultural scene. This is a place where professionals can build a meaningful career while enjoying the quality of life that makes this community unique.
Essential Functions
Assessing child safety, risk factors, family functioning, and caregiver protective capacities through interviews, home visits, observations, and collaboration with families and professionals.
Conducting ongoing assessment of placement stability and identifying safety concerns or barriers impacting permanency.
Developing and monitoring individualized case plans and permanency plans designed to reduce risk, strengthen families, and support reunification or other permanent outcomes.
Evaluating parental progress, service effectiveness, and readiness for reunification, guardianship, or adoption.
Providing foster care and adoption case management services, including placement support, visitation planning, child and family team meetings, and permanency planning.
Preparing and presenting documentation and recommendations for juvenile court hearings.
Coordinating services with caregivers, schools, medical providers, behavioral health providers, attorneys, guardians ad litem, and community partners.
Supporting older youth through LINKS services and transition planning for young adults in foster care.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
This role is well-suited for professionals who can balance compassion with strong assessment skills and sound judgment in complex situations.
Ability to assess safety, risk, family needs, and protective capacities
Strong interviewing, engagement, counseling, and relationship-building skills
Ability to analyze complex information and make thoughtful recommendations
Comfort working in emotionally challenging situations involving children and families
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including case documentation and court reports
Ability to collaborate with families, professionals, and community partners
Commitment to ethical, trauma-informed, and family-centered practice
Physical Demands This position requires frequent standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods during home visits, interviews, and court appearances. Must be able to drive regularly to conduct fieldwork, including home visits, school visits, and community meetings. Occasional lifting of materials and equipment up to 20 pounds (e.g., case files, child-related items). Requires the ability to observe and interpret verbal and non-verbal behaviors, which may involve close interaction with children and families in varied settings. Ability to handle high-stress situations, including crisis intervention and emergency child removal, which may involve quick physical movement and decision-making. Manual dexterity for writing, typing, and handling documents; visual acuity for reading and assessing written reports and evaluations. Work Environment Work is performed in a combination of office settings and field environments, including private homes, schools, hospitals, and community facilities. Exposure to emotionally charged situations involving child abuse, neglect, and family crises is frequent. Regular travel within Transylvania County is necessary; occasional travel outside the county for court or specialized services may occur. Note: This position requires access to and use of confidential information. The individual filling this position shall sign a confidentiality statement as an employee of Transylvania County Department of Social Services.
Education and Experience
Minimum Education and Experience Master's degree from an accredited school of Social Work and one year of social work experience; One year of work experience can be credited for completion of Child Welfare Collaborative, OR Master's degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience, OR Bachelor's degree in Social Work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative and one year of directly related experience, OR Bachelor's degree in Social Work and two years of social work or counseling experience, OR Bachelor's degree in a related human services field and three years of relevant experience, OR Bachelor's degree and four years of experience in human services such as rehabilitation, counseling, or community work.
Don't meet every qualification? Apply anyway. We consider candidates at various levels (SW Trainee, SW I, SW II, and SWIII) and support employees as they work toward full qualification through training, supervision, and professional development. Salary is based on education and experience, with work-against rates applied as appropriate.
Additional Training/Experience: Child Protective Services workers shall complete a minimum of 18 hours of additional training, and Foster Care and Adoption Workers shall complete a minimum of 39 hours, as determined necessary by the Division of Social Services to adequately meet the position's training needs. All Child Welfare staff shall also complete 24 hours of continuing education annually.
Valid North Carolina Driver's License
Successful completion of SBI background check with required fingerprinting by Sheriff Office. (Instructions issued by HR at pre-boarding)
Successful completion of Transylvania County standard background check. (Instructions issued by HR at pre-boarding)
Successful completion of drug screening. (Instructions issued by HR at pre-boarding)
Benefits
Medical Insurance
$50 per month premium paid by the employee / county pay remaining portion
Employee can cover children/spouse/family at their own cost for medical coverage $77.56/$265.92/ $426.28 per month. In addition to the $50 per month for the employee.
Employees may qualify for a $50 per month discount. Beginning in 2016, employees must participate in the employee health screening including a base line physical and meet 2 of the 4 accountability standards set forth by the Board of Commissioners to receive the discount.
Waist circumference abdomen cir Blood Pressure Cholesterol Ratio Hemoglobin A1c Premiums may be pre-taxed which is a savings to your taxes, but if you pre-tax premiums you can't take the costs off of your taxes.
Blue Options PPO /Administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Employee has choice of 2 Health Plans.
Plan 1 – Co-Pay Plan for In-Network– $40 Copays for Primary Care Visit, $80 Specialist Visit, Urgent Care and RX. All other services apply to $1,500 deductible, then 80/20 co-insurance up to $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum. See Plan 1 document for more detailed information.
Plan 2 – Deductible Plan for In-Network except $25 co-pay for Primary Care Visit and RX. All other services apply to $1,000 deductible, then 80/20 co-insurance up to $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum. See Plan 2 document for more detailed information.
Routine eye examinations only are covered annually for a BCBSNC network provider.
Prescription Drugs – 4 Tiers - $5 generic/ $45 preferred / $60.00 non preferred /4th Tier is 25% up to a max of $100.00./ Mail order is available @ 2.5 co-pays for a 90 day supply. 90 day supply at pharmacy.
Verify network participation, RX tiers, and obtain information at
Self Funded Health Insurance
Worksite address
brevard, NC, 28712, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.