Wake County Child Welfare serves more than 500 children in foster care, and our Adoptions Team plays a critical role in ensuring every child has the opportunity for lasting family connections. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Permanency Services Social Worker - Adoption to support youth and families through the legal, emotional, and relational transitions that occur during the adoption process. This role blends direct engagement, critical decision‑making, complex case coordination, and strong advocacy—grounded in trauma‑informed practice and county/state policy.
About the Role
As an Adoptions Social Worker, you will guide children and prospective adoptive families toward safety, permanency, and long‑term stability. You will collaborate closely with birth families, adoptive families, community partners, schools, therapists, and the courts to ensure each child has the support and resources needed to achieve a successful adoption. This position requires strong documentation skills, thorough assessment, confident decision‑making, and the ability to build trust with families during emotionally significant periods.
Why This Work Matters
Adoption is a lifelong journey—for children, birth families, and adoptive families. Many youth in care have experienced trauma, loss, and instability. Your work will help create safe, nurturing, permanent homes while honoring children’s identities, histories, relationships, and cultural connections. The right Social Worker can profoundly shape a child’s future by ensuring stability, supporting healthy attachments, and advocating for the services that sustain long‑term well‑being.
If you’re passionate about permanency, committed to family‑centered practice, and dedicated to helping children grow up in safe, loving homes, we’d love to hear from you.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Work Schedule
Primarily Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:15 PM, with flexibility required for court hearings, home visits, family meetings, evening appointments, and travel. This position routinely requires work outside standard business hours.
Travel
Travel throughout the state—and occasional out‑of‑state travel—is required for family engagement, sibling visits, adoptive placement meetings, and court proceedings.
Emergency Service Worker Designation
This position is designated as an Emergency Service Worker and may be required to report during emergencies.
The Wake County Department of Social Services team is grounded in a deep commitment to connection, compassion, and community. We bring together experienced professionals who collaborate to support individuals and families through complex challenges, connect them with critical resources, and promote long-term stability. We value insight, innovation, and a solutions-focused approach, and we welcome those who are ready to contribute their expertise to meaningful, community-centered work. Join us in making a lasting difference!
Location: HSC Swinburne Raleigh, NC 27610
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:15pm with flexible hours as needed
Hiring Range: 30.34 - 40.96 Commensurate with Experience
Market Range: 30.34 - 51.58
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 7/30/2026
Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. In Fall 2026, two at-large seats will be added for nine total commissioners. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, and the County has over 5,100 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Position may require a background check that may
include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job
requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from
consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected.
Employee may be 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 may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
Wake County Government provides services including tax collection, library services, local parks administration, planning and permitting, health and human services, law enforcement and more. Wake County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners.
Consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work in America, Wake County, North Carolina is home to NC State University, Shaw University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. Wake County is also the center of state government, with our Capitol Building, legislature and many government offices located in Raleigh.
Wake County is the most populous County in North Carolina. The County consists of 12 municipalities and includes Raleigh, the county seat and state capital. A unique mix of urban and rural small towns distinguishes Wake County from other counties and provides something for every lifestyle.
