Child Welfare Specialist II (After-hours/Third Shift)

Follow your calling, Find your career!!

Please note the required work schedule, days and hours. This position operates strictly outside of standard business hours, with shifts scheduled between 4:00 pm and 8:00 am on weekdays and 24-hour coverage on weekends.

Apply by: July 6th, 2026

Salary Range: $27.57 to $34.46 per hour.  There is an additional $2.25 per hour premium for the after-hours shift. This is a non-exempt (hourly) position.  Please note: 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 Department of Social Services (DSS) provides a variation 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

Provide community-based services to individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including child abuse, neglect, dependency, delinquency and adoption. Children and family needs include mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, housing, childcare, or medical care and other life domains. This position in Youth and Family Services, under general supervision, is responsible for providing evaluation, case management, counseling, formal and informal comprehensive assessments and referral services to assist in meeting the needs of the children and families.

The Child Welfare Specialist II will also be responsible for managing the CARES Line (Child Protective Services Hotline), processing CPS Intake Referrals, and screening referrals for potential child abuse, neglect, and dependency.

* This is an 8-hour shift position, and the specific shift for this position is 8:00 pm-5:00 am (weekdays) and 7:00 pm-4:00 am (every other weekend) rotating schedule.

*Candidate must obtain fingerprint clearance to access the KBCOP database within 90 days of hire.

Key Responsibilities:

• Receives reports from the community of suspected child abuse, neglect, and dependence
• Screens reports to determine if Child Protective Services (CPS) has legal authority to conduct an assessment
• Assigns a response time in which Child Protective Services (CPS) must begin the assessment for an accepted report

Essential Functions

• Assess needs of individuals and/or families; and provide counseling and services in both individual and group settings and discuss goals, expected outcomes and means with which to meet goals and expected outcomes to include the development of Family Service Agreement
• Assist clients in the completion of required paperwork for items that may determine program eligibility, referrals, or provide job assistance, such as job application
• Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs
• Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply
• Provide, find, or arrange for support services, such as childcare, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes, to prevent more seriou