Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00060

Department: Department of Social Services

Job classification: Social Worker IAT-CPS Investigate

Posting type: Open

Categories: Social Services, Human Services, Community and Social Services

Summary

Join our team and make a meaningful difference for children, adults, and families in our community.

If you’re a compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled person who’s been looking for a role where your ideas are heard, your work has visible impact, and your professional and personal growth is valued, consider building your future with us.

Person County Department of Social Services is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Social Worker Investigative/Assessment and Treatment (IAT) within the Child Protective Services (CPS) Unit. This position plays a critical role in protecting the safety, well-being, and permanency of children throughout Person County.

The primary purpose of the Child Protective Services Unit is to ensure that children are protected from situations involving abuse, neglect, dependency, and abandonment by parents, guardians, or other caretakers. The Social Worker IAT serves as a frontline professional responsible for responding to reports of suspected child maltreatment and assessing the safety and needs of children and families.

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For the detailed job description, click HERE.

To learn more about the Department of Social Services, click HERE.

The starting salary will be determined with consideration given to both the candidate's educational background and relevant work experience.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record per County policy.

This is a non-exempt position working 37.5 hours weekly/1950 hours annually.

Cover letter, resume and transcripts required to apply. A copy of the official college transcript added as an attachment is acceptable for the application process, but if an applicant is selected for an interview, he/she will be required to bring an official college transcript to the interview.

Examples of duties

• Interview the victim child(ren) and other children in the home
• Evaluate the child's safety, physical condition, mental health and developmental needs
• Interview the perpetrator
• Interview the non-offending parent
• Make a home visit
• Contact collaterals
• Conduct criminal record checks
• Make referrals for more intensive evaluations if indicated
• Make referrals to community resources such as health care providers, transportation resources, housing, etc.
• Make referrals to law enforcement if abuse is suspected
• Prepare court petitions and summaries
• Provide court testimony
• Assist other counties with cross-county investigations
• Maintain frequent contact with the family during the course of the investigation
• Concise, timely documentation of the case specifics
• Staffing cases with the supervisor and Unit
• Mandated correspondence including letters to the reporter and case decision letters
• Provide transportation to clients and children as needed
• Receive reports of suspected child abuse and neglect from reporters
• Screen the reports with a Supervisor to determine whether the report meets the legal definition to be accepted for investigation or assessment.
• Determine appropriate response timeframe based on the allegations received

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience;
• or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience;
• or Master's degree in counseling and two years of social work or counseling experience;
• or a four-year degree in a human services field or 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 service field providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization;
• or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.