Social Worker III

Buncombe County Government

. Provide permanency planning services to children and resource families to ensure safe and permanent placement of children in agency custody .

Posted 9/28/2026full-timeAsheville • North Carolina • United StatesJunior💰 $30 - $36 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in permanency planning services, case management, and establishing rapport with children and families. Proficient in assessing needs, developing service plans, and navigating social work principles and regulations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Master's Degree In Social WorkCase Management ServicesPermanency Planning PhilosophyInterviewing And Counseling SkillsBilingual In English/Spanish

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Social Work PrinciplesRisk AssessmentCrisis De-EscalationFamily-Centered PracticeService Plan DevelopmentKnowledge Of Criminal Justice ProceduresKnowledge Of Medical And Behavioral ProblemsKnowledge Of Funding SourcesKnowledge Of State And Federal RegulationsKnowledge Of Interpersonal Relations

Soft Skills

Establishing Constructive RelationshipsEffective CommunicationProblem IdentificationPrioritization SkillsStress Management

Certifications & Qualifications

NCDHHS Pre-Service Training: Child Welfare In North Carolina

Industry Keywords

Permanency PlanningDSS Legal CustodyAdoptionGuardianshipCommunity Systems And ResourcesProtective Services For ChildrenFamily Systems DynamicsCultural DifferencesValues And Lifestyles

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide permanency planning services to children and resource families to ensure safe and permanent placement of children in agency custody
Ensure children who cannot safely return to birth families achieve safe and legally secure placement via adoption or guardianship
Evaluate, arrange, maintain, and supervise temporary substitute care in court-sanctioned placements or licensed facilities
Provide direct services to children and pre-adoptive caregivers to ensure protection, safety, and permanency
Assess, prepare, place, and monitor children cleared for adoption
Provide state-mandated case management services for children in DSS Legal Custody
Develop and monitor service plans with families and provide or refer services as needed
Make recommendations to the court regarding services needed, progress, and barriers to the permanent plan
Establish rapport with children, families, and community professionals using a strengths-based, family-centered approach
Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Master's degree in Social Work; or a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and one (1) year of directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or Human Services and two (2) years directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree in another field and three (3) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience
Candidates are required to submit transcripts with their application
Current, valid North Carolina driver's license
Ability to prioritize, identify, and assess risks, problems, and needs in stressful situations
Ability to effectively de-escalate individuals
Knowledge of medical, behavioral, and socio-economic problems and their treatment
Knowledge of funding sources and how to utilize them
Knowledge of criminal justice procedures, medical and mental disorders, personality theory, family systems dynamics, interpersonal relations, cultural differences, values, and lifestyles
Skills in establishing constructive relationships with resistant clients and utilizing family-centered social work practice
Interviewing and counseling skills
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and plan and execute work effectively
Knowledge of social work principles, techniques, practices, agency procedures, community systems and resources, state and federal regulations, permanency planning philosophy, and laws governing protective services for children
English/Spanish bilingual speakers preferred
Certificate of completion of the NCDHHS Pre-Service Training: Child Welfare in North Carolina preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid/remote work flexibility after the initial training period, subject to supervisor and program manager approval
Flexible scheduling after successfully completing the training period
Inclusive workforce and equal employment opportunity environment