Salary: See Position Description
Location : Gaston County Department of Social Services, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 1525
Department: SOCIAL SERVICES
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 12:00 AM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt

Description

Gaston Social Services: Protecting, caring for and empowering children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves through the administrating of federal, state and county programs focused on improving the well-being of our citizens.

The goal of the Gaston County Human Services Center and Division of Social Services is to foster an agency which is professionally responsive to our citizens' needs through daily caring outreach and simultaneously serve as an advocate for those in need. We strive to be community-minded and community-spirited. We abide by federal, state and county operating instructions in providing services and we assist welfare recipients in attaining self-sufficiency.
Examples of Duties

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $37.50 - $44.53

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Coordinates and manages the daily activities of 3-5 SWII and SWIII by making case assignments, setting work objectives and expectations, reviewing cases, and holding regular conferences with staff in order to monitor progress with assigned cases.
• Coordinates the immediate response of workers to allegations that involve information about disabled adults who are at risk of death or irreparable harm, coordinates with community resources such as mental health, emergency medical services, and law enforcement, and uses court actions to acquire emergency custody of the adult to preserve health & safety.
• Provides direction and counsel for problem situations encountered by social workers by jointly processing case information, giving ongoing supervisory support, and seeking assistance from Division Coordinator/Administrator and legal department as necessary.
• Reviews social workers' assessments and authorizes final Adult Protective Services case decisions and reviews by consistently maintaing familiarity with cases and providing timely decisions and feedback.
• Manages unit personnel by conducting interviews, making hiring recommendations, and training staff (as needed), providing ongoing training to staff according to program changes and/or staff need, and by making performance evaluation, promotion, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Manage and coordinate case management programs to ensure implementation of service plan goals and continued eligibility criteria through reviewing of quarterly and annual reviews.
• Reports necessary information by maintaining client databases and compiling statistical information in order to analyze the nature of program reports and program results.
• Rotates afterhours coverage on nights / weekends/ holidays to assure that APS Services are available and provided after business hours, includes working with afterhours social worker and administrative staff as appropriate.
• Directs cases to ensure coordination of APS mobilization of service and Guardianship Services are provided efficiently and timely to ensure adults are not continuing to be maltreated. or begins necessary legal process, i.e. guardianship or protective order. Begins and assists in necessary legal processes to ensure disabled adults who are being abused, neglected, or exploited having a decision maker to ensure their protective needs can be met. Provides training and support to staff throughout the legal process.
• Assist with emergency shelter operations and undertake additional responsibilities as required to support departmental needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution and 1 year directly relacted experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from an accredited institiution and 2 years of directly related experience.
• Master's degree in human services field (such as counseling, psychology, related discipline) and 2 years of directly related experience.
• Bachelor's degree in human services field and 3 years of directly related experience.
• Valid Driver's License.

Computer skills; assessment, communication, and crisis intervention skills; general knowledge of mental health issues, geriatric issues, and disability issues. Knowledge of social work principles, methods, and practices. Knowledge of casework supervision and staff training. knowledge of behaviorial health, substance use, disabilities and community rescources. knowldege of laws, regulation and policies governing social work programs; ability to supervise, train, evaluate professional social workers, abilitity to organize work, monitor quality, and manage caseload distribution. Strong communication, assessment, and problem solving skills.
A copy of a transcript must be included with the application. FAILURE TO ATTACH YOUR TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING REJECTED.

Additional Information

The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment.

In compliance with G.S.153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.

Full-Time employees are eligible for the total compensation package which includes:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Savings Plans
  • Pension
  • 401K (with 5% county contribution annually)
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Discounted YMCA Membership

Part-Time employees are eligible for certain benefits as a part of employment with Gaston County such as:

• Pro-Rated Sick and Annual Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Local Government Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Half-Time employees are not eligible for benefits.
To learn more details about the many benefits we provide view our

Overall, if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, Gaston County is the place for you.
01

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

02

Do you possess a MSW from an accredited university?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a BSW from an accredited university?

• Yes
• No

04

If you do not have a BSW or MSW, please select the type of major that you possess from the following list:

• Counseling and Guidance
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Family Studies
• Criminal Justice
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Special Education
• Child Development and Family Relations
• Other

05

If your major was not listed, please list the major you possess:
06

Do you have valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you attached a copy of your college transcripts as required?Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

• Yes
• No

Required Question