Mecklenburg County Government
Child Welfare Specialist III (Special Victims Unit)
Mecklenburg County Government, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28245
Follow your calling, Find your career!!
Please apply by 1/22/2026
Salary Range: $30.32 to $37.90 per hour. This is a non‑exempt (hourly) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.
At Mecklenburg County you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.
Youth and Family Services Division (YFS) of the DSS Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (CFAS) provides a variety of services to safeguard children by strengthening the protective capacities of families whose children’s health, safety and well‑being are at risk. The mission of DSS is to strengthen families and communities through a safety‑net of services, collaborations, and hope. The Department’s vision is to define and cultivate an organizational culture that is more compassionate and understanding toward each other and our clients. YFS firmly believes the people who do this work are our most important resource. As such, children and families deserve trained, skillful professionals to engage and effectively assist them. If you have a passion for social work and making a difference in your local community, come join our Youth and Family Services team!
Position Summary This is a specialized position within the Special Victims Unit (SVU) as the Child Welfare Specialist III. The Child Welfare Specialist III will be required to conduct investigations regarding child abuse and neglect to include child trafficking, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, fatalities, foster homes, and group homes.
This position is responsible for providing community‑based services to individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues that could include child and adult abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation, mental health concerns, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, housing, childcare, or medical care.
This position in Youth and Family Services, under general supervision, is responsible for providing evaluation and assessment of risk and safety issues, case management, counseling, and referral services for complex cases to assist in meeting the needs of these clients. This position may handle more complex cases requiring a higher‑level skillset.
The hours for this position are Monday‑Friday 8:00am‑5:00pm. This position may require after hours (after 5:00pm) and weekend work as needed. The position will be located at 430 Stitt Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213.
Essential Functions
Assess and provide appropriate services on complex child abuse/neglect cases involving complex mental health, domestic violence, human trafficking, and substance abuse issues.
Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure child safety, permanency and well‑being of children and families.
Be responsive to case feedback.
Attend trainings as needed.
Maintain a positive working relationship with the SVU supervisor and manager.
Assess needs of individuals and/or families; provide counseling and services in both individual and group settings and discuss goals, expected outcomes, and means to meet those goals.
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow‑ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided and ensure services were effective and situations improved.
Transport clients to appointments such as medical, job related or others, if appropriate.
Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance.
Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior, and implement solutions.
Monitor residential facilities for compliance with licensure standards, provide technical assistance, investigate complaints against licensed facilities.
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
In consultation with management, make decisions on behalf of children and families impacted by child abuse/neglect.
Manage complex cases and assessments.
Manage records and documentation of services provided and maintain history records and prepare reports.
May be required to work varying shifts and weekends.
May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster.
Minimum Qualifications Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work AND one of the following: three years of social work experience; qualifying internship; successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program OR master’s in social work OR bachelor’s degree in related major AND four years of social work experience OR master’s Degree in related major AND three years of social work experience.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related major.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted: Yes.
Licenses and Certifications:
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License. Requires County Driving Privileges.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish and English) proficiency oral and written.
At least 2 years of Child Protective Services experience in CPS investigations.
Experience investigating child fatalities, physical and sexual abuse cases is highly preferred.
Thorough knowledge of child welfare policies and procedures preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of:
Strong assessment and interviewing skills, excellent communication and writing skills, the ability to partner with multiple community agencies, and the ability to work with families who have experienced trauma.
Advanced knowledge of social services procedures, practices, and methods.
Knowledge of work principles and available resources.
Social services procedures, practices, and methods.
Social services related federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance, and social welfare.
Case management methods and techniques.
Services offered by the county and other local public and private community‑based service agencies.
Skills
Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met.
Exercising judgment and discretion.
Maintaining various confidential records.
Managing and executing multiple tasks.
Possessing strong communication skills.
Prioritizing work.
Abilities
Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
Building Customer Loyalty: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
Care Management: Having the knowledge and skills to secure relevant patient care data and identify key issues and relationships in the management of patient care; understanding the relationships among assessments, interventions, and patient responses; skilled in documentation of assessments and adjusting physical and cognitive prescriptions as needed.
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided.
Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs.
Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
Inspiring Others: Using interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals toward higher levels of performance.
Leadership Disposition: Demonstrating the traits, inclinations, and dispositions that characterize successful leaders; exhibiting behavior styles that meet the demands of the leader role.
Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people.
Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self‑imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.
Computer Skills Advanced in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer Statement This is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
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Salary Range: $30.32 to $37.90 per hour. This is a non‑exempt (hourly) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.
At Mecklenburg County you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.
Youth and Family Services Division (YFS) of the DSS Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (CFAS) provides a variety of services to safeguard children by strengthening the protective capacities of families whose children’s health, safety and well‑being are at risk. The mission of DSS is to strengthen families and communities through a safety‑net of services, collaborations, and hope. The Department’s vision is to define and cultivate an organizational culture that is more compassionate and understanding toward each other and our clients. YFS firmly believes the people who do this work are our most important resource. As such, children and families deserve trained, skillful professionals to engage and effectively assist them. If you have a passion for social work and making a difference in your local community, come join our Youth and Family Services team!
Position Summary This is a specialized position within the Special Victims Unit (SVU) as the Child Welfare Specialist III. The Child Welfare Specialist III will be required to conduct investigations regarding child abuse and neglect to include child trafficking, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, fatalities, foster homes, and group homes.
This position is responsible for providing community‑based services to individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues that could include child and adult abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation, mental health concerns, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, housing, childcare, or medical care.
This position in Youth and Family Services, under general supervision, is responsible for providing evaluation and assessment of risk and safety issues, case management, counseling, and referral services for complex cases to assist in meeting the needs of these clients. This position may handle more complex cases requiring a higher‑level skillset.
The hours for this position are Monday‑Friday 8:00am‑5:00pm. This position may require after hours (after 5:00pm) and weekend work as needed. The position will be located at 430 Stitt Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213.
Essential Functions
Assess and provide appropriate services on complex child abuse/neglect cases involving complex mental health, domestic violence, human trafficking, and substance abuse issues.
Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure child safety, permanency and well‑being of children and families.
Be responsive to case feedback.
Attend trainings as needed.
Maintain a positive working relationship with the SVU supervisor and manager.
Assess needs of individuals and/or families; provide counseling and services in both individual and group settings and discuss goals, expected outcomes, and means to meet those goals.
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow‑ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided and ensure services were effective and situations improved.
Transport clients to appointments such as medical, job related or others, if appropriate.
Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance.
Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior, and implement solutions.
Monitor residential facilities for compliance with licensure standards, provide technical assistance, investigate complaints against licensed facilities.
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
In consultation with management, make decisions on behalf of children and families impacted by child abuse/neglect.
Manage complex cases and assessments.
Manage records and documentation of services provided and maintain history records and prepare reports.
May be required to work varying shifts and weekends.
May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster.
Minimum Qualifications Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work AND one of the following: three years of social work experience; qualifying internship; successful completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program OR master’s in social work OR bachelor’s degree in related major AND four years of social work experience OR master’s Degree in related major AND three years of social work experience.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related major.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted: Yes.
Licenses and Certifications:
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License. Requires County Driving Privileges.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish and English) proficiency oral and written.
At least 2 years of Child Protective Services experience in CPS investigations.
Experience investigating child fatalities, physical and sexual abuse cases is highly preferred.
Thorough knowledge of child welfare policies and procedures preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of:
Strong assessment and interviewing skills, excellent communication and writing skills, the ability to partner with multiple community agencies, and the ability to work with families who have experienced trauma.
Advanced knowledge of social services procedures, practices, and methods.
Knowledge of work principles and available resources.
Social services procedures, practices, and methods.
Social services related federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance, and social welfare.
Case management methods and techniques.
Services offered by the county and other local public and private community‑based service agencies.
Skills
Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met.
Exercising judgment and discretion.
Maintaining various confidential records.
Managing and executing multiple tasks.
Possessing strong communication skills.
Prioritizing work.
Abilities
Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
Building Customer Loyalty: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
Care Management: Having the knowledge and skills to secure relevant patient care data and identify key issues and relationships in the management of patient care; understanding the relationships among assessments, interventions, and patient responses; skilled in documentation of assessments and adjusting physical and cognitive prescriptions as needed.
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided.
Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs.
Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
Inspiring Others: Using interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals toward higher levels of performance.
Leadership Disposition: Demonstrating the traits, inclinations, and dispositions that characterize successful leaders; exhibiting behavior styles that meet the demands of the leader role.
Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people.
Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self‑imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.
Computer Skills Advanced in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer Statement This is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
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