About this opportunity
Nash County, NC lists this Social Worker III - Adoptions opportunity in nashville, North Carolina. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Salary: $57,476.00 - $92,560.00 Annually
Location : Nashville, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Department of Social Services
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Statement of Duties
A. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The primary purpose of the Adoption Unit is to carry out the agency's mandate to facilitate the adoption of children who are legally cleared or whose permanency plan has been changed to adoption; to provide case management services to a small number of children who are neglected, abused and or dependent; to provide counseling to prospective placement families and to recruit, assess and provide training based on the Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) for prospective placement families.
B. Primary Purpose of the Position
The primary purpose of the social worker is to execute 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
Regular work hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday- Friday. Work requires CPS on-call worker tracking "Radio" duties after work hours on a rotation basis, Monday through Friday. The worker is occasionally on call for emergency child welfare issues and disruption of placement between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 am on weeknights and also around the clock on weekends. As this position completes Pre-placement Assessments, trains prospective
placement families, and places children cleared for adoption, nighttime and weekend work may be required to allow for training and after regular work hour appointments to meet the needs of children and families.
Essential Duties and Tasks
All responsibilities and duties are essential to the effective performance of a Social Worker in this position.
A. Services to children who need of adoptive placement - 10%
These services facilitate the legal clearance of children including termination of parental rights, obtaining consents to adoption and denial of paternity. The social worker uses the judicial system to give sanction to the adoption process which requires case presentation, court testimony and recommendations regarding case disposition. He/she consults with the supervisor, staff attorney, co-workers, service providers and other experts in the field regarding agency custody cases.
B. Preparation of the child for adoptive placement -30%
The worker completes an assessment/evaluation of the child and prepares a pre adoptive summary on them. The summary indicates birth and developmental history, background information, hospital records, immunization record, school records and any other available medical or psychological reports. Counseling with a child prior to adoptive placement involves positive reinforcement, behavior modification and grief counseling to help he/she deal with separation and loss and assists the child in identifying feelings and in learning how to express them in acceptable ways. The worker helps the child to be aware of their biological heritage and placement history and arranges visitation with an adoptive family prior to placement.
C. In-depth assessment of the prospective placement family through Preplacement Assessment - 25%
The assessment evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the family in order to determine their capacity to become parents of an adoptive child. A determination is made as to their readiness to parent and the characteristics of child who can benefit from their home. The Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) curriculum is used to facilitate assessment of prospective placement families. This assessment includes the following: Adoptive Home/Foster Home Application, Acceptance Sheet, Financial Tally Sheet, medical information, criminal records check, fingerprint results, reference letters and copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees to document marital status. After completion, the assessment is presented to the
prospective placement family for clarification and correction and then to the agency's Adoption Committee and/or Foster Home Licensing Committee for final approval. The assessment is then finalized and circulated to other agencies to determine the appropriateness of placement of a child in their home.
D. Supervision of the adoption after placement - 10%
Assistance is provided by the social worker to the adoptive family to ensure that a child's physical, mental and emotional needs are met. Foster home licensure may be necessary if a placement is a legal risk. Counseling includes structural family therapy techniques centering around nurturing and control issues and complimentarily. Therapy to help adoptive parents understand normal child development and identify and cope with abnormalities is addressed as is helping families understand the problems children have in resolving guilt, separation and attachment. The worker stresses the need for adoptive parents to be aware of the low self-esteem that many children may have and encourages the use of patience and sensitivity in providing opportunities to develop a more positive self-image. Other interventions include: problem identification, client advocacy, problem solving, role play, environmental guidance, therapy, cognitive trauma focused therapy, behavior enactments and positive reinforcement. Progress of the child in their adoptive placement is documented in the case record and reports sent to the placement county. The worker files the necessary reports with the court until the child's adoption is completed through the adoption process.
E. Recruitment of families for children cleared for adoption and circulation of approved adoptive home studies - 5%
The social worker communicates with other agencies to recruit adoptive families recognizing the need to find the best home for every child who is cleared for adoption. Pre-adoptive Summaries are circulated among other DSS agencies as well as NC licensed private adoption agencies. The Adoptive Resource Exchange, NC Kids and AdoptUSKids recruitment agencies/resources are also utilized. Information about waiting children is shared with social workers in other counties and agencies who recruit, train and assess prospective placement families.
F. Services to individuals identified as having an unplanned pregnancy - 2 %
Casework intervention includes counseling to assist individuals explore alternative solution to the unplanned pregnancy (abortion, adoption or parenting themselves), and exploring the probable consequences of each alternative. Assistance is also given to help individuals obtain and utilize other needed services, including maternity home placement, health services, Medicaid, housing and daycare as needed and is available. The social worker completes applications for State Maternity Home Funds as necessary.
G. Interpretation of adoption services - 3%
The worker is available to speak to church and civic groups regarding the agency's adoption program and attends Adoption Orientation Meetings as needed to give information prospective placement families. This forum provides an excellent teaching opportunity to instruct prospective families on requirements needed to complete a Pre-placement Assessment and information on adoption laws, policies and procedures and waiting children.
H. Determination of service eligibility and Adoption Assistance Benefits - 10%
The social worker gathers all medical and psychological information regarding a child's special needs and shares this information with the agency's Adoption Committee making recommendations for the components of Adoption Assistance which the child may be eligible. The worker completes the necessary documentation for initial eligibility and assists Office Assistant in managing payments to vendors for services authorized under the program. Also included is managing Medicaid benefits for eligible children and determining eligibility for Foster Care funding, At-Risk Medicaid Case Management Services, state Maternity Home Funds and AFDC-Emergency Assistance. Responsibilities also includes managing funds by authorizing payments when the agency is representative payee for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.
I. Other Duties - 5%
The social worker may represent the Unit on interagency teams and may be asked to represent the agency on community teams or boards. The worker will obtain at least twenty-four hours of training annually after initial training of seventy-two before assuming case responsibility. The Employee will be expected to work in emergency shelters and/or perform related disaster tasks and perform other reasonable tasks requested by their immediate supervisor.
Knowledges, Skills and Abilities
1. 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.
2. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques.
3. Considerable knowledge of developmental stages and tasks, human behavior, and socioeconomic 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.
4. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and other resources within the community.
5. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies which govern Child Protective Services.
6. General knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, administrative superiors, social, medical, legal, civic and religious organizations.
8. Ability to supervise, train or orient prospective adoptive and foster parents, lower-level employees, students or Interns.
9. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely - orally and in writing.
10. Ability to plan and execute work effectively.
11. Ability to operate an automobile.
12. Ability to use a personal computer and access the State Network.
13. Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with conflict situations and personalities.
14. Ability to function with a high level of autonomy.
Desirable Education and Experience
Required Minimum Training
Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year of directly related experience; Master's degree in a human service field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited university and two years of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and three years of directly related experience.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
1. Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
2. Valid North Carolina driver's license is required.
3. Completion of preservice training
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 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at .
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 . 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. ;
2. fax: ; or
3. email:
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Worksite address
nashville, NC, 27856, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.