Petition Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Wake County Social Services' Child Welfare Division isseeking missiondriven, adaptable, and skilled Social Workers who want to makea meaningful impact every day. Our work is guided by three federally mandatedgoals:

Safety - Protect children from abuse and neglect
Permanence - Ensure every child has a stable, permanent home
Wellbeing - Support children's educational, physical, and emotionalhealth

We achieve these goals by strengthening families, applyingpolicy with clarity, practicing critical thinking, and working collaborativelywith caregivers, community partners, and the court system.

Why Join Wake County Social Services? 

 You'll be part of a supportive, missionfocused team thatvalues professionalism, growth, and collaboration. Wake County offers:

• Comprehensive training, coaching, and clinical supervision
  
• Opportunities for internal mobility and career development
  
• Competitive benefits and retirement
  
• A team culture rooted in communication, shared responsibility, and service tofamilies

About the Opportunity

As a Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Worker, you playa vital role in ensuring child safety while honoring the strengths, dignity,and cultural backgrounds of families. You will use sound judgment, stronganalytical skills, and calm, regulated decisionmaking to assess risk, respondto crises, and support families through complex circumstances. This role is both fastpaced and meaningful. Successrequires balancing independence with teamwork, knowing when to seek supervisoryconsultation, and demonstrating confidence in the decisions you can makeautonomously. Strong candidates remain composed under pressure and are able tonavigate sensitive conversations while maintaining professionalism. This position supports both CPS Assessments and CPS InHomeServices, and duties may occur in the office, in the field, in homes, andin court.

What You'll Do 

 Conduct CPS Assessments

• Evaluate allegations of abuse, neglect, or dependency
  
• Gather collateral information and apply NC policy to reach clear, evidencebaseddecisions
  
• Use structured critical thinking to determine safety threats, vulnerability,and protective capacities
  
• Decide when circumstances require supervisory consultation versus independentdecisionmaking
  

Support & Strengthen Families (Assessment & InHome)

• Provide services that help children remain safely at homewhenever possible
  
• Build rapport with caregivers and hold difficult conversations with empathy,clarity, and professionalism
  
• Complete timely, behaviorbased safety plans grounded in policy and familycapacity
  
• Facilitate ongoing monitoring of safety plans, caregiver progress, and riskreduction
  

Ensure Child Safety

• Conduct regular home visits, including some evenings andweekends
  
• Assess the child's environment using observation, interviewing, and riskassessmenttools
  
• Respond to crises with calm, regulated decisionmaking and clearcommunication
  

Provide CPS InHome Services (If Assigned)

• Develop and implement Family Service Agreements withmeasurable goals
  
• Monitor caregiver progress, service engagement, and child safety
  
• Adjust interventions or safety plans as needed based on ongoing assessment
  
• Partner with providers, schools, legal partners, and internal teams tosupport sustained risk reduction
  

Act When Protective Services Are Needed

• Facilitate foster care placements when safety cannot bemaintained in the home
  
• File petitions and initiate legal action when needed to protect children
  
• Prepare and deliver concise, factual, and legally defensible court testimony
  

Document Clearly & On Time

• Write accurate, neutral, policyaligned documentation
• Translate complex observations into clear, objective, courtready notes
  
• Complete documentation within seven days of each contact and maintaintracking systems
  

Collaborate & Communicate

• Work closely with supervisors, colleagues,multidisciplinary teams, and community partners
  
• Share timely updates to support coordinated casework
  
• Maintain compliance with mandated reporting, confidentiality, andprofessional/ethical standards

What Makes a Strong Candidate

Professional Strengths

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  
• Strong critical thinking and analytical judgment
  
• Ability to independently make sound decisions and recognize when supervisoryguidance is required
  
• Skill in translating observations into objective, defensible documentation
  
• Reliability, organization, and effective timemanagement
  

Interpersonal & Clinical Skills

• Calm, regulated presence during crises and emotionallycharged situations
  
• Capacity to build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries
  
• Cultural awareness and respect for diverse family systems
  
• Comfort navigating conflict, difficult conversations, and complex familydynamics
  

Work Style & Values

• Coachability and openness to feedback
  
• Initiative and ownership without needing micromanagement
  
• Flexibility with afterhours, court, or casedriven responsibilities
  
• Commitment to safety, ethical decisionmaking, and policy alignment

Who Thrives in This Role

Ideal candidates may have backgrounds in:

• Investigations, compliance, or structured policy environments
  
• Community or family advocacy
  
• Behavioral or mental health fields
  
• Highvolume case management or coordination
  
• Legal/court writing, victim advocacy, or paralegal work

Work Schedule Expectations

This role requires flexibility to meet family needs andensure child safety. Schedules may include:

• Standard business hours
  
• Occasional evening or weekend home visits
  
• Court hearings and professional meetings
  
• Rotational or casedriven oncall responsibilities

Make an impact. Bring your strengths. Protect whatmatters.

If you are driven by purpose, capable under pressure, andcommitted to supporting children and families with integrity, we encourage youto apply.

Emergency Service Worker Statement
This position is designated as an Emergency ServiceWorker and may be required to report to work during emergencies or countywideevents that impact child safety.