Program Coordinator I - 60007250

State of South Carolina • Richland County, SC

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The SC Department of Children's Advocacy is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate to apply for the Program Coordinator I position. 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. In this position, the employee identifies and works to resolve barriers to permanency for children in foster care, coordinates and facilitates foster care reviews to make recommendations for permanency and evaluates and advocates for service delivery to children and families involved with the foster care system. Following foster care reviews, the employee inputs review information into agency database, producing a written recommendation within a specified time frame for distribution to the Family Court, the Department of Social Services, and the child's Guardian ad Litem. The employee will establish and maintain positive and professional working relationships with volunteer Review Board members and child welfare stakeholders in order to promote permanent homes for children in foster care. Employee must be able to exercise problem solving skills, critical thinking and sound judgment in evaluating services and in advocating for change in the child welfare system. Employee must be willing and able to learn necessary child welfare statutes, regulations, policies and procedures. Employee must demonstrate excellent communication skills and be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Review Board members and child welfare professionals. Job requires daily data entry, electronic record keeping and communication for documentation of reviews and advocacy; employees must be proficient in computer technology to include but not limited to data entry and Microsoft Office Suite programs. Employee must be able to independently manage time and meet regular deadlines. Employee must have a valid SC driver's license and ability to operate an automobile to travel in SC to conduct reviews one or more days per week. Employee will operate under limited supervision to meet deadlines, manage time, solve problems and advocate within assigned Review Board caseload. Resources are available to support the employee, including policy & procedure manuals, monthly meetings with supervisors, and training opportunities. Employees will receive ongoing quality assurance reviews and a bi-annual review. Schedule reviews and prepare and assess case information for children in the foster care system. Coordinate and facilitate foster care reviews around the state via remote virtual reviews or travel for Hybrid/In-Person reviews, if needed, to guide board members’ recommendations for permanency and to evaluate service delivery to children and families involved in the foster care system. Produce Review Board Recommendations for distribution to the Family Court, the Department of Social Services, and the children’s Guardian ad Litem. Identify and work to resolve barriers to services and permanency for children in foster care through advocacy with the Department of Social Services and other child welfare stakeholders and court participation. Establish and maintain professional and positive working relationships with Review Board staff, Review Board members, and other child welfare stakeholders in order to promote the Division's mission of permanent homes for children in foster care. Position may be required to report to work during emergency situations. This position requires a lot of stationary work.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and relevant program experience.
• Proficiency in computer technology to include but not limited to data entry and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Valid SC driver's license.
• Ability to operate an automobile to travel in SC to conduct reviews one or more days per week.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and works to resolve barriers to permanency for children in foster care.
• Coordinates and facilitates foster care reviews to make recommendations for permanency.
• Evaluates and advocates for service delivery to children and families involved with the foster care system.
• Inputs review information into agency database following foster care reviews.
• Produces a written recommendation within a specified time frame for distribution to the Family Court, the Department of Social Services, and the child's Guardian ad Litem.
• Establishes and maintains positive and professional working relationships with volunteer Review Board members and child welfare stakeholders.
• Exercises problem solving skills, critical thinking and sound judgment in evaluating services and in advocating for change in the child welfare system.
• Learns necessary child welfare statutes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills and establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Review Board members and child welfare professionals.
• Performs daily data entry, electronic record keeping and communication for documentation of reviews and advocacy.
• Independently manages time and meets regular deadlines.
• Operates under limited supervision to meet deadlines, manage time, solve problems and advocate within assigned Review Board caseload.
• Schedules reviews and prepares and assesses case information for children in the foster care system.
• Coordinates and facilitates foster care reviews around the state via remote virtual reviews or travel for Hybrid/In-Person reviews, if needed.
• Produces Review Board Recommendations for distribution to the Family Court, the Department of Social Services, and the children’s Guardian ad Litem.
• Identifies and works to resolve barriers to services and permanency for children in foster care through advocacy with the Department of Social Services and other child welfare stakeholders and court participation.
• Establishes and maintains professional and positive working relationships with Review Board staff, Review Board members, and other child welfare stakeholders.
• Reports to work during emergency situations.
• Performs a lot of stationary work.

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) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED