Assistant Child Advocate (Program Coordinator II) - 61159976 & 61159980

State of South Carolina • Richland County, SC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The SC Department of Children's Advocacy is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate to apply for two Assistant Child Advocate positions. This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service. The Assistant Child Advocate will receive critical incident notifications, communicate with the Critical Investigations Director, or System Improvement leadership team, regarding whether to catalogue the CIN or to investigate the report; maintain records regarding all CINs and monitor investigations. Investigations will be conducted pursuant to statutes and the Agency’s investigative policy and procedure. ACA will be required to strictly adhere to state and federal laws regarding confidentiality. The ACA will frequently communicate with youth and government office and agency staff and must possess the knowledge, skills and ability to conduct investigations, identify relevant issues, manage time and tasks, document pertinent information in the Agency’s database, maintain records, and effectively communicate in a professional and courteous manner. The ACA will be responsible for avoiding a conflict of interest and exhibiting excellent customer service. Under direct supervision by the Critical Investigations Team Lead, the employee will be responsible for accepting, cataloging, monitoring, and investigating CINs submitted from various state departments. The employee will be guided by state laws and the Agency's intake and investigative policy and procedure and must be capable of working independently and collaboratively with other people and agencies in a respectful and professional manner. This position is responsible for the investigation of critical incidents, which are deaths, near deaths, sexual assaults, attempted sexual assaults, and the substantial risk thereof and requires high level of sensitivity, confidentiality, and in-depth analysis.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and professional experience with child welfare and/or investigations.
• Position may require overnight travel.
• Position may require the employee to work evenings and weekends.
• Position requires routine driver duties.
• Position requires frequent stooping and/or bending.
• Position requires conditionally essential declaration.
• Position may be required to report to work during emergency situations.
• This job will require travel throughout the state.
• The applicant must possess a valid South Carolina driver's license and reliable vehicle and must be able to drive independently throughout the state.

Nice To Haves

• Professional/Post Graduate Degree.
• Demonstrated knowledge of law and policy regarding child-serving agencies' procedures and experience with conducting investigations.

Responsibilities

• Answer and receive electronic Critical Incident Notifications submitted by Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, John de la Howe, School of the Deaf and Blind, and Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School.
• Review, track, monitor and/or investigate CINs submitted to DCA from Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, John de la Howe, School of the Deaf and Blind, and Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School.
• Effectively communicate and interact with state agencies, children served, DCA staff, and external staff to fulfill the mission of DCA and to represent DCA in a professional manner.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance the delivery of services by the System Improvement Division; strictly adhere to all agency and division policies and applicable state and federal laws, including but not limited to confidentiality, mandatory reporting, job functions, and other operational requirements; and consistently engage in best practices related to intakes and investigations.
• Performs other related duties as required or directed.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level