Salary : $72,276.22 - $90,345.28 Annually
Location : Hickory, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02350
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 06/26/2026
Closing Date: 7/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
New as of 01/01/2026:Position DescriptionCatawba County Social Services is seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Work Supervisor to lead our Foster Care team. In this role, you will provide direct supervision and coaching to foster care social workers and visitation coaches, guiding a team committed to child safety, family preservation, and achieving timely, meaningful permanency for children in the agency's care. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that children and families receive trauma-informed, high-quality services while navigating the complex legal and programmatic demands of child welfare.
Trainees, those with Master's or Bachelor's degrees in other areas of human services but do not have the required experience, may be considered.
Trainee salary starts at $68,824.61. Responsibilities - Provide individual, group, and team supervisory consultation to foster care social workers and visitation coaches to support professional development and maintain high standards of practice
- Review and monitor case records for timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with legal and programmatic mandates, including court reports, documentation, and service delivery requirements
- Guide staff in developing and implementing permanency plans within required timeframes, including concurrent planning, relative placement assessment, TPR, relinquishment, and adoption referral processes
- Consult with staff on placement resources, visitation arrangements, independent living planning, and coordination of services for children's physical, mental, educational, and recreational needs
- Identify staff training needs and plan, conduct, or arrange development opportunities in social work practice, risk assessment, case management, and related areas
- Coordinate team activities with other units, departments, and community partners, and actively participate on committees, task forces, and councils at the local and state level
- Manage statistical data, facilitate team meetings, oversee service systems for efficiency and effectiveness, and ensure maximum revenue capture from applicable funding sources
- Supervise BSW and MSW field placements and participate in interviewing and onboarding of new staff
- Manage the agency's Recovery Court caseload and serve as on-site supervisor every other week
- Coordinate care and logistics for children in emergency or temporary placements, including transportation, supplies, medication administration, and documentation
- Conduct performance evaluations, recommend personnel actions, and carry out disciplinary processes as appropriate
- Serve as primary on-call Monday through Thursday; rotate weekend and holiday on-call coverage
Qualifications - Master's degree from an accredited school of social work with Child Welfare Collaborative and 1 year of social work experience; OR
- Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and 2 years of social work experience; OR
- Master's degree in counseling or human services field and 3 years of social work experience, OR
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work with Child Welfare Collaborative and 2 years of social work experience; OR
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and 3 years of social work experience; OR
- Bachelor's degree in a human services field and 4 years of social work experience; OR
- Bachelor's degree in a non-human services field and 5 years of social work experience
Additional Requirements - Valid Driver's License with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
- Must be available for primary on-call coverage Monday through Thursday and rotating weekend (average one weekend every 8 weeks) and holiday on-call with the other Permanency Planning Social Work Supervisors
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with community partners, stakeholders, juvenile court, schools, and mental health providers
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare accurate court reports, case documentation, and professional correspondence
- Sound interviewing, assessment, and intervention skills with the ability to apply critical analysis to risk factors and child welfare decisions
- Ability to train, coach, and develop professional staff while fostering a culture of growth and accountability
- Effective time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and on-call responsibilities simultaneously
- Ability to work collaboratively and courteously across teams, departments, and external agencies
- Commitment to trauma-informed practice and culturally responsive service delivery
- This position requires lifting up to 40 pounds to carry children and belongings.
Preferences:- Prior supervisory experience in a child welfare or public social services setting
- Experience with foster care, permanency planning, or adoption services
- Familiarity with juvenile court processes and community partner collaboration
- Experience providing trauma-informed supervision and practice
01
What skills and abilities will you bring to the supervisory team and to direct social work staff in this role?
02
Check the box that indicates your status in regard to the North Carolina Social Work Collaborative initiative.
- I am a NC Social Work Collaborative Scholar
- I have completed the NC Social Work Collaborative Waiver
- I have not completed any of the NC Social Work Collaborative programs.
Required Question
