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Adoption Social Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lutheran SeniorLife

Social Worker

Zelienople, PA

$21.40/hr

Social Worker rates start at $21.40 per hour. Zelienople, PA Lutheran SeniorLife provides a ... adoption & foster care; assisted living; adult day services; memory care; hospice; palliative care ...

County of Siskiyou, CA

Social Worker IV

Yreka, CA · On-site

$70K - $89K/yr

Assignments are usually in the areas of adoptions or adult or child protective services. This class is distinguished from Social Worker III in that incumbents are assigned the most complex ...

Lutheran SeniorLife

Social Worker

Zelienople, PA · On-site

$21.40/hr

Social Worker rates start at $21.40 per hour. Zelienople, PA Lutheran SeniorLife provides a ... adoption & foster care; assisted living; adult day services; memory care; hospice; palliative care ...

County of Siskiyou

Social Worker IV

Yreka, CA

$70K - $89K/yr

Assignments are usually in the areas of adoptions or adult or child protective services. This class is distinguished from Social Worker III in that incumbents are assigned the most complex ...

County of Siskiyou, CA

Social Worker III

Yreka, CA · On-site

$57K - $73K/yr

This class is distinguished from Social Worker II in that incumbents are assigned the more complex and special problem caseloads on a regular basis in areas such as adoptions and adult and child ...

County of Siskiyou

Social Worker III

Yreka, CA

$57K - $73K/yr

This class is distinguished from Social Worker II in that incumbents are assigned the more complex and special problem caseloads on a regular basis in areas such as adoptions and adult and child ...

Saratoga Hospital

Social Worker

Saratoga Springs, NY · On-site

$30.32 - $49.79/hr

Social Worker (LMSW) Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Employment Type: Full-time Shift/Schedule: Day ... Collaborates with Adult Protective Agencies, Child Protective Services (CPS), Adoption Agencies ...

Saratoga Hospital

Social Worker

Saratoga Springs, NY · On-site

$63K - $103K/yr

Social Worker (LMSW) Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Employment Type: Full-time Shift/Schedule: Day ... Collaborates with Adult Protective Agencies, Child Protective Services (CPS), Adoption Agencies ...

DC Government Careers

Social Worker

Washington, DC · On-site

$82K - $103K/yr

... adoption and works with older youth to transition from foster care to independence. Duties and ... Grade 9 social workers will only be hired for Investigations. Grade 11 Must have a master's degree ...

cda

Social Worker Counselor I or II

Fairfax, VA · Hybrid

$58K - $61K/yr

Adoption Supervisor Telework Available : ____ No ___x Hybrid Salary Range: $58,656 - $61,750 Position Description : Catholic Charities' Pregnancy and Adoption Support (PAS) Social Worker/Counselor ...

Dulyhealthandcare

Social Worker

Downers Grove, IL

$58K - $87K/yr

Up to 12 weeks parental leave at 100% pay and a financial benefit for adoption and surrogacy for non-physician team members once eligibility requirements are met. Social Worker- VBC * Full-Time - 40 ...

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Adoption Social Worker information

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$31.5K

$47.4K

$71K

How much do adoption social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for adoption social worker in the United States is $47,402.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $59,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an adoption social worker?

Adoption social workers are professionals who help facilitate the adoption process for children and families. They assess prospective adoptive parents, provide counseling and support to birth and adoptive families, and ensure that all legal and emotional aspects of adoption are properly addressed. Their role is to ensure the best interests of the child, guiding families through legal requirements and emotional transitions. Adoption social workers may work for public or private agencies and are often involved in both domestic and international adoptions.

What does an adoption social worker do?

As an adoption social worker, your job is to support the placement of children into adoptive families. In this role, you may conduct an assessment of families applying for adoption, coordinate with government organizations and adoption agencies, and provide case management services for children who are separated from their biological parents. Adoption social workers frequently travel within a general work area and often divide hours between an office, foster homes, potential parent homes, hospitals, schools, and other locations as needed. Many adoption social workers also help determine whether or not a given family is a good fit for each child, which can include weighing factors like financial status, previous experience with children, or the ability to address special needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an adoption social worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Adoption Social Worker, you need a degree in social work (often an MSW), state licensure, and strong knowledge of child welfare laws and family assessment practices. Familiarity with case management software, documentation systems, and relevant legal databases is typically required. Compassion, cultural sensitivity, and excellent interpersonal communication skills help build trust with children and families in emotionally sensitive situations. These skills are crucial for ensuring ethical, effective placements and providing ongoing support to all parties throughout the adoption process.

What are some common challenges adoption social workers face when supporting families through the adoption process?

Adoption Social Workers often encounter challenges such as managing the emotional complexities of both birth and adoptive families, navigating legal requirements, and ensuring the best interests of the child are prioritized at every stage. They also work to address any potential attachment or adjustment issues that may arise post-placement. Successfully balancing these factors requires strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including legal professionals, therapists, and other social workers.
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Adoption Social Worker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Adoption Social Worker job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,402 per year, or $22.8 per hour.

Social Worker III- Foster Care & Adoptions

Buncombe County

Asheville, NC • On-site

$29.51 - $35.50/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Buncombe County rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

143rd of 848 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on August 17, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on August 17, 2026.
Job Title: Social Worker III- Foster Care & Adoptions
Department: Social Services - Child Welfare
External Hiring Range: $29.51 - $35.50
Compensation Grade: 2009
Posted Internally and Externally
Buncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.
We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that is representative of our diverse community. If you are interested in this position but are not certain if you meet the exact qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply. Buncombe County uses a substantial equivalency standard to determine if applicants are qualified.
Buncombe County's Foster Care and Adoptions Division is seeking a dedicated Social Worker III to join our team.
Our Foster Care Program helps provide safe, temporary care for children who have been removed from their homes for safety reasons by the court system. Our mission is to make this transitional period a steppingstone toward reunification or a permanent, loving home. As a Social Worker III, you will play a critical role in supporting foster families and children during this journey, ensuring stability, security, and every opportunity for these kids to thrive.
You'll work directly alongside a collaborative team of 3 other Social Worker III's under the guidance of a Social Worker Supervisor III, working within a division of approximately 40 professionals dedicated to child safety and well-being. If you are passionate about advocating for children and partnering with families to create safe futures, we invite you to apply.
Please Note:
  • Candidates are required to submit transcripts with their application.
  • Social workers are required to work in the office (no teleworking) or their first 6 months of employment to ensure they receive the appropriate level of support and training.
  • The selected candidate for this position will be required to submit to a drug test. Please note that CBD or Delta-9 Hemp products may cause a positive drug test.
  • After successfully completing the training period, this role offers flexibility in scheduling to best meet the needs of our customers and the demands of the business. Any flexible work arrangements must be reviewed and approved by the direct supervisor and the program manager to ensure that service levels and operational priorities are maintained.

Purpose of the position:
The purpose of this position is to provide permanency planning services to children and resource families to ensure a safe and permanent placement of children in agency custody.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): 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 Bachelor's degree in another field and three (3) years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. *BSW and Social Work Collaborative Students preferred.
Additional Training and Experience: English/Spanish bi-lingual speakers preferred. Certificate of completion of the NCDHHS Pre-Service Training: Child Welfare in North Carolina is preferred.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: A current, valid North Carolina driver's license.
Essential Functions of the position:
  • Ensure children who cannot safely return to their birth families achieve a safe and legally secure placement via adoption or guardianship.
  • Provide services through which a plan for temporary substitute care appropriate to a child's needs is evaluated, arranged, maintained, and supervised in Court sanctioned placement or a licensed facility when the child's own family is unable to care for him/her adequately due to safety/risk factors.
  • Provide direct services to children and their pre-adoptive caregivers to ensure the protection, safety, and permanency of the children.
  • 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, including services needed, progress and barriers to permanent plan.
  • Establish rapport with children, families, and appropriate professionals/non-professionals in the community to provide a strengths-based, family centered approach in working with families throughout child welfare involvement.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Ability to prioritize, identify, and assess risks, problems and needs often in stressful situations with clients who are hostile, emotionally confused, and resistant; Ability to effectively de-escalate individuals.
  • Knowledge of medical, behavioral, and socio-economic problems and their treatment.
  • Knowledge of numerous funding sources and how to utilize them.
  • Knowledge of basic criminal justice procedures, elements of medical and mental disorders, personality theory, family systems dynamics, interpersonal relations, and cultural differences, values, and lifestyles.
  • Skills in establishing constructive relationships with resistant clients and utilizing family-centered SW practice.
  • Skills and counseling in interviewing and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively; and skills in creating resources when none are readily available.
  • Thorough Knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application to specific casework and community problems.
  • Thorough knowledge of agency procedures and resources, community systems and resources, manual material, state and federal regulations, permanency planning philosophy, and laws governing protective services for children.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

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