SOAR Caseworker*

SOAR Caseworker*

Salary

$47,691.00 - $55,306.00 Annually

Location

Human Resources, NC

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

79-2026-971

Department

Housing

Opening Date

06/04/2026

Closing Date

6/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

The Orange County Housing department has an opening for a SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Caseworker. The work involves the responsibility for completing Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI) disability applications for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, working with medical providers to obtain medical records for clients, working with clients and other service providers to complete needed paperwork and reports, and coordinating and leading the local Orange County SOAR Planning Committee of stakeholders. An employee in this class is responsible for meeting with individuals experiencing homelessness at various places in the community.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) Homeless Programs Coordinator with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures, in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions regarding client needs and requests. Does related work as required.

• This is a safety sensitive position and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Program is required. Background Check is required.

Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Click here for full job specifications including essential functions, knowledge, skills, abilities and physical requirements.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/classspecs/1511833

NOTE: The hiring range is on the posting NOT on the job specification.

FULL PERFORMANCE OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge SSI/SSDI program and application process.

Thorough knowledge of the Orange County human services system and medical providers.

Good knowledge of the psychosocial, socioeconomic and behavioral problems and their treatment.

Good knowledge of governmental and private organizations and community resources for children, families and at-risk individuals.

Good knowledge of interviewing, counseling and crisis intervention theories and methods.

Working knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes and their treatment is required in certain programs or settings.

Skill in establishing rapport with a client and applying techniques of assessing psychosocial behavioral, and psychological aspects of clients problem.

Skill in interviewing, writing, speaking and recording.

Ability to demonstrate strong assessment and communication skills.

Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, resourcefulness, accuracy, thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position, while maintaining an ethical standard of care.

Ability to help others help themselves in social adjustments.

Ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with clients, County staff and service providers.

Ability to assess situations and be able to develop service plans; ability to maintain objectivity in dealing with others who may be under emotional stress.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with racially and socio-economical diverse populations to express information and ideas clearly and concisely.

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Ability to respect and maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA regulations.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work; ability to prioritize and respond to demands to of a caseload in a prompt and effective manner.

Ability to recognize and analyze problems, gather relevant information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Ability to make home/community visits.

Ability to collaborate with others and work as part of a team.

Ability to train or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns.

Ability to analyze, interpret, comprehend and communicate complex information and in complex situations.

Ability to gather, compile and evaluate information and records, prepare reports and make recommendations based on analysis of data collected.

Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from a School of Social Work in an accredited college or university with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work (BSW); OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors Degree in a human services field and one (1) year of direct human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social therapy and treatment planning; OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors Degree and two (2) years of direct human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social therapy and treatment planning.

A higher degree does not substitute for work experience.

The ability to obtain and maintain SOAR caseworker certification. Existing SOAR caseworker certification strongly preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful clearance of a background check. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:

• Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;

• Orange County contributes 14.35% of your base salary per pay period and 16.10% for LEO.

• Health Insurance (Medical)

• Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.

• Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.

• Dental Insurance

• Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.

• Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.

• Vision Insurance

• Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.

• Life Insurance

• Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees' salary up to $50,000.

• Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.

• Short Term Disability

• Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.

• Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy

• Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance

• 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

• Orange County contributes $102 per pay period ($2652.00 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.

• 12 Paid Holidays

• Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)

• Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)

• 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year

• 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year

• 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year

• 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year

• 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year

• 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year

• Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule)

• 96.2 hours/year

• Tuition reimbursement assistance

• Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.

01

Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employees eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.

• Yes

02

I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?

• Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
• No, I am not an Employee

04

Do you have or are you able to obtain a drivers license valid in the State of North Carolina?

• Yes
• No

05

Please indicate your highest level of education from an accredited school.

• High School or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate
• None

06

Please indicate your degree major.

• Social Work
• Human Services
• Related

07

If you indicated Related, please indicate your related degree major.

08

Do you currently possess a SOAR caseworker certification?

• Yes
• No

09

How many years of direct human services experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 4 years
• 4 years but less than 6 years
• 6 or more years

10

Please indicate if your experience includes the following areas. Please choose all that apply.

• Case Management
• Assessments
• Referrals
• Supportive Counseling
• Intervention
• Psycho-Social Therapy
• Treatment Planning
• None of the above

11

Please indicate your proficiency in Spanish.

• I cannot read, write or speak Spanish
• I am proficient at reading and writing in Spanish
• I am proficient at speaking Spanish
• I am fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish

Required Question

Employer Orange County Government

Address 131 W. Margaret Lane, 3rd Floor

Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278

Phone 919-245-2550

Website http://www.orangecountync.gov