This position performs advanced professional and administrative social work supervising staff responsible for Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigations and Assessments. The Investigative Social Work Supervisor provides leadership, oversight, consultation, and case direction to investigative social workers handling allegations of child abuse, neglect, and dependency. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with federal, state, and county policies; monitoring case quality and timeliness; supporting staff development; and promoting child safety and family stability through effective case management and intervention practices.
Work involves supervising investigative staff, reviewing complex or high-risk cases, coordinating with law enforcement and community partners, participating in court proceedings, and ensuring adherence to North Carolina child welfare standards and best practices.
Primary Focus
- Supervise and support Child Protective Services investigative staff.
- Ensure timely and compliant response to reports of abuse, neglect, and dependency.
- Provide clinical guidance and oversight for complex, high-risk, or crisis cases.
- Monitor case documentation, workload management, and compliance standards.
- Promote staff development, accountability, and quality child welfare practice.
- Coordinate services and collaboration with internal and external partners.
Salary is based on experience and qualifications.
Social Work Supervisor I $51,894
Social Work Supervisor II $57,210
Social Work Supervisor III $63,072
Supervision & Program Oversight
- Directly supervise CPS Investigative Social Workers and related staff.
- Assign, review, and monitor investigative caseloads to ensure timely and effective service delivery.
- Conduct regular case consultations, staffing meetings, and supervisory reviews.
- Provide guidance on safety assessments, risk determinations, investigative findings, and case decisions.
- Ensure compliance with North Carolina child welfare laws, policies, timelines, and agency procedures.
- Evaluate staff performance and provide coaching, mentoring, corrective action, and professional development.
Child Protective Services Investigations
- Review and approve investigative assessments, safety plans, documentation, and case recommendations.
- Assist staff with crisis intervention, emergency response, and high-risk child welfare situations.
- Participate in complex investigations involving severe abuse, neglect, substance use, domestic violence, mental health concerns, or child fatalities.
- Provide consultation regarding removal decisions, placement needs, and court involvement.
- Ensure appropriate engagement with children, families, collateral contacts, and service providers.
Court & Community Collaboration
- Coordinate with law enforcement, attorneys, schools, healthcare providers, mental health agencies, and community organizations.
- Review court reports, petitions, and documentation for accuracy and completeness.
- Testify in court proceedings and support staff in legal preparation and court appearances.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and child welfare planning efforts.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Monitor program outcomes, compliance indicators, and quality assurance measures.
- Prepare reports and maintain required statistical and administrative records.
- Assist with policy implementation, program planning, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new staff.
- Participate in after-hours coverage and emergency response rotations as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of child welfare principles, CPS investigative practices, and family-centered social work methods.
- Thorough knowledge of North Carolina child welfare laws, policies, and licensing requirements.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, crisis intervention, and risk/safety assessment tools.
- Ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional staff effectively.
- Ability to make sound decisions in high-pressure and crisis situations.
- Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and legal requirements accurately.
- Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, families, courts, law enforcement, and community partners.
- Ability to prepare detailed reports and maintain accurate case documentation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Human Services, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, or a closely related field and considerable experience in child welfare or social work case management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Supervisory experience in Child Protective Services, foster care, or child welfare preferred.
- North Carolina Child Welfare Collaborative training or equivalent child welfare training preferred.
- Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
- Successful completion of criminal background check and all applicable child welfare background requirements.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel throughout the county and surrounding areas for home visits, meetings, court appearances, and emergency response activities.
- Ability to enter various home and community environments.
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and operate standard office equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in office settings, courtrooms, schools, client homes, and community locations. Position frequently involves exposure to stressful, emotionally difficult, and high-risk situations involving children and families. Employee may be required to respond to emergencies, participate in after-hours coverage, and maintain flexible work hours based on agency needs.
