Job Description
Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov . DEPARTMENT: SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS) DATE POSTED: MAY 18TH, 2026 CLOSING DATE: MAY 28TH, 2026 HIRING RANGE: $64,093.00 - $86,488.00 POSITION NUMBER: 40001389 JOB TYPE: FULL-TIME, EXEMPT GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The primary purpose of this position is to direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Intake unit within the Child & Family Services division. This supervisor is responsible for the direct supervision of intake workers, ensuring that all reports of child abuse, neglect, and dependency are received, screened, and processed in accordance with federal and state law, agency policy, and established response timeframes. In addition to supervising unit operations, the supervisor assures compliance with applicable statutes, funding requirements, programmatic standards, and quality assurance measures. The individual in this position must be able to identify unit training needs, monitor practice standards, and make sound decisions related to child safety. The ability to communicate in a caring and professional manner with both staff and the families we serve is essential for this position. This position is located within the Child & Family Services division. The division ensures that assistance is provided to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of children and families in Durham County. This position assures compliance with programmatic and funding requirements, as well as legal and ethical compliance with child protective services laws. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Organizational Skills – time management, prioritizing caseloads, and managing competing operational demands across the intake unit. Planning – developing and implementing unit procedures, coverage schedules, and workload distribution plans to ensure timely response to all incoming reports. Considerable knowledge of social work principles, child welfare practice, and the application of structured decision-making tools. Knowledge of child abuse and neglect dynamics, trauma-informed practice, and the psychosocial, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors that contribute to child maltreatment. Knowledge of federal and state child welfare law, including CAPTA, ICWA, and the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), as well as mandatory reporting statutes and county DSS policy. Knowledge of governmental and private organizations, community resources, and cross-system partners including law enforcement, medical providers, schools, and mental health agencies. Strong supervisory skills including coaching, performance evaluation, professional development, and managing employee relations in accordance with agency HR policy. Ability to provide real-time consultation and decision support to intake workers on complex, high-risk, or sensitive reports involving threatened harm, domestic violence, substance abuse, or human trafficking (among other maltreatment categories). Ability to monitor unit performance against federal and state outcome measures, including Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) indicators related to safety and timeliness. Proficiency with or ability to quickly learn the state child welfare case management system (PATH NC) and maintain accurate documentation standards across the unit. MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Master’s degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience; or a bachelor’s degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related experience; or a master’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of directly related experience; or a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE: Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT: This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.
