Protective Services Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $68,348.80 - $88,836.80 Annually
Location : Jacksonville, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: Social Worker (PS) Aug 2026
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Description
Performs difficult professional work providing protective social work services to clients in the Child Protective Services, In-Home Services, or Permanency Planning (adoption/foster care) units of the Department of Social Services, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Social Work Supervisor.
This posting is specifically for--2 positions in Assessments and 1 position in Adoptions.
Our core values-Resilience, Excellence, Accountability, Customer Service, and Honesty-are the foundation of our work and the standard by which we operate. As a member of our team, you are expected to demonstrate these values in every aspect of your role. This means delivering high-quality work, taking responsibility for your actions, providing exceptional service, and maintaining integrity in all interactions. Your commitment to these principles is essential to fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring the success of our organization and the community we serve.
Position Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provides intensive social work services in serious and complicated cases which require the flexible use of a wide range of social work skills and intervention techniques in the Child Protective Services In Home, Child Protective Services Assessments or Permanency Planning unit of the Department of Social Services.
• Provides in-depth assessment of family dynamics and needs, assessment, intervention, and treatment of patients and/or families with acute to severe medical and/or emotional disorders and mental illnesses.
• Investigates alleged neglect or abuse; conducts fitness for permanency placement investigations.
• Manages a caseload of clients in the most difficult and complex cases; conducts case management.
• Performs accurate assessments to identify needs and establishes appropriate service/treatment plans for clients; may provide supportive/directive counseling to clients and families in identifying resources for referral and assistance.
• Serves as an inter/multi-disciplinary team member; refers clients for services to meet financial, psychological, emergency care, emotional or other needs.
• Provides information to and confer with schools, natural parents, and foster parents on habilitation plans, behavior management, and other problem areas or needs.
• Conducts interviews and home visits to verify information, conduct assessments, and evaluate service/treatment plans.
• Assists with intake interviews, conduct background checks, analyzes client medical information for work capacity where applicable.
• Facilitates or develops community or service resources and/or develop volunteer programs.
• Performs assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications
Considerable knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to individual casework group work and community problems. Knowledge of the psychosocial, socioeconomic, and behavioral problems and associated treatment. Knowledge of governmental and private organizations and community resources. Knowledge of laws, regulations and policies which govern the program. General knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes and their treatment is required In certain programs or settings. Skill in establishing rapport with a client and applying techniques of assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client's problem. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative superiors members of case load and their families, and with civics medical, social and religious organizations. Ability to train or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work.
Education, Experience, and Special Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
  • In social work or related field
  • Master's Degree preferred
• Some experience in protective services social work, or equivalent combination of a Bachelor's degree and experience.
• Valid driver's license as this position requires operating County vehicles.

*Final Transcript Showing Date Degree Awarded Must Be Submitted With Application*
Salary will be determined based on qualifications, internal equity, budget, and market considerations.
Regular Onslow County employees have the ability to participate in a wide array of employee benefits including:
Health Insurance
Health Insurance is provided by Cigna and covers a wide variety of healthcare services.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental to full-time employees and covers a percentage of basic to major dental procedures, including orthodontia for children and adults.
Vision Insurance
Vision insurance is provided by MetLife to full-time employees and covers a variety of materials (contacts and glasses frames/lenses) and an annual eye exam.
North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System
Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the retirement system and must contribute 6% of their gross salary each pay period. Once eligibility requirements are met, employees will be able to receive monthly payments for life based on their salary, age, and years of service credit.
NC401k
The County contributes 1% of employees' gross salary into the 401(k) account regardless of the employee's deferral amount. In addition, the County matches employee deferrals up to an additional 4%.
Vacation Leave
Regular full-time employees earn 13.5 days of vacation leave per year. With each 5-year increment of employment, vacation accrual increases.
Sick Leave
Regular full-time employees earn 12 days of sick leave per year.
Paid Holidays
County employees receive paid holidays annually. The Board of County Commissioners approves and may adjust the schedule as deemed necessary.
ComPsych Mental Health Services
The County provides Mental Health and Life Services through ComPsych to help employees and their families with personal, family and job-related problems such as counseling, crisis support, work-life resources, legal and financial consultations, and organizational support tools.
Supplemental Benefits
County employees are also offered a variety of supplemental benefits such as Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, 457b Deferred Compensation Plan, and MetLife Supplemental Plans.
For more information, please visit and click on the Benefits tab.
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education? (a completed Bachelor's Degree is required for this position)

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

02
Is your degree in any of the following fields of study?

• Human Services
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Other
• Not Applicable or No Degree

03
Required: Have you uploaded your final transcript showing the date that your degree was awarded and any required certificates or licenses? Official transcripts will be required within 90 days if hired.

• Yes
• No, and I understand my application will be considered incomplete
• Not applicable, no degree

04
Which of the following best describes your experience in protective services social work?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• More than 6 months but less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years

05
Have you completed Child Welfare in NC Pre-Service Training? (This is not required to be hired for this position)

• Yes
• No

06
Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

07
This position requires the transportation of clients as an essential function, therefore, you are required to have adequate transportation and insurance coverage. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

08
Onslow County's Core Values are REACH - Resilience, Excellence, Accountability, Customer Service, and Honesty. Which of these values resonates with you the most, and why?
09
What area of Social Work are you interested in working?

• Intake
• Assessments
• Permanency Planning
• In-Home
• Licensing
• LINKS
• 18-21
• Foster Care
• Adoption

10
Based on your review of the position requirements, are you able to perform the position duties with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

11
All Employees of Onslow County are required to serve as part of the County's Disaster Ready Team (DRT). The DRT supports emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during natural disasters and other emergency events impacting the community. This may include but is not limited to: • Reporting to duty outside of normal working hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays• Working extended shifts or 24/7 operations during emergency events• Performing duties that may differ from regular job responsibilities, including cross-functional support as needed• Remaining available for the duration of the emergency response effortParticipation in disaster response efforts is considered an essential function of all Onslow County positions and is critical to ensuring continuity of services to the citizens of Onslow County.Do you understand the expectations associated with DRT activation and are you able and willing to fulfill these responsibilities?

• Yes
• No

Required Question