Social Worker Supervisor III - IA&T Investigations (CPS)

Nash County•Nashville, NC

38d•Onsite

About The Position

This position supervises a team of five Social Worker IA&Ts. On-call rotation required. Needs current NC Child Welfare training status. Prefer employee who demonstrates leadership knowledge and characteristics, knowledge of the court process and experience in court, on-call experience, ability to adapt to on-going and frequent changes, positive attitude and a willingness to learn and adapt. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit The primary purpose of the Child Protective Services Investigations/Assessment/ln-Home unit is to receive and investigate assessment referrals of child neglect abuse and dependency. Services to families in Nash County will enhance the family's ability to function independently and will prevent child neglect or abuse from re-occurring. Services for maltreated services are aimed at strengthening family life by supporting and improving parental/caretaker abilities, which, in turn, assure a safe nurturing home for children. Services are home-based and are preventive, rehabilitative and non-punitive with efforts toward identifying, providing or arranging services needed. This is done through parent/caretaker cooperation and consent or, in the event the child's safety is at eminent risk through court petition as the agency's responsibility foremost, is to protect the child. The unit is to provide public education regarding risk of maltreatment, incidents of child maltreatment methods and procedures and the availability of preventive, protective and case management services. A second important purpose of the unit is to provide legally mandated services to families who have be found to be in need of services following a child protective services investigation/assessment alleging neglect, abuse or dependency in which there was a substantiation or an "in need of services" finding. These specialized services for children are aimed at strengthening family life by supporting and improving parental/caretaker abilities which, in turn, assure each child a safe and nurturing home. Generally, services provided in the homes of these families are preventive, rehabilitative, and nonpunitive with efforts directed toward identifying and treating causes of maltreating behavior. This is accomplished through parent/caretaker cooperation and consent or in the event conditions pose serious issues for the child's safety, through court petition, as it is the agency's foremost responsibility to protect the child. Primary Purpose of the Position Employee provides supervision to a staff of five positions: Social Worker Investigative/ Assessment and Treatment (SWIA&T) Investigators (three) and In-Home workers (two). The supervisor establishes, supports, and implements standards that are consistent with state and federal statutes, Administrative Rules and CPS standards. The supervisor is responsible for: Assuring implementation of agency policy. Providing regular supervision to staff in order to evaluate performance, maintain objectivity, and process client specific issues. Focusing interventions on expected outcomes. Receiving training, consultation, and support which will enhance effectiveness of staff. Coordinating work flow operation. Assigning cases. Arranging mandated training efficiently and effectively Assuring that quality services are rendered. Employee also assists with the Agency's efforts in conducting disaster related programs, shelter duty and other duties as required.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work from an accredited institution and two years of directly related experience; or a bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited institution and three years directly related experience; or a master's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years directly related experience; or a bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of directly related experience; or a bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and five years of directly related experience.
Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
Valid North Carolina driver's license is required.
Must have reliable vehicle available for work always available.
Considerable knowledge and ability to apply methods and principles of casework super-vision and training.
Considerable knowledge of social work principles, techniques and their application to specific casework and community problems.
Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies governing Child Protective Services.
Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations, educational and other resources within and without the community.
Considerable knowledge of behavioral and socio-economic problems and their treatment including knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of disadvantaged socio-economic groups and environmental factors affecting public assistance programs.
Considerable knowledge of state and local personnel policies regarding leave, grievances, discipline, work hours, breaks, documentation requirements and overtime.
Ability to plan, organize, evaluate, direct and execute work effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative superiors, associates, clients, social, medical, legal educational, civic and religious organizations.
Ability to supervise, train or orient lower-level employees, students or interns.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to use personal computer and access state and county information systems.

Nice To Haves

Needs current NC Child Welfare training status.
Prefer employee who demonstrates leadership knowledge and characteristics, knowledge of the court process and experience in court, on-call experience, ability to adapt to on-going and frequent changes, positive attitude and a willingness to learn and adapt.

Responsibilities

Develops and revises goals, work standards, polices, and procedures affecting the unit.
Schedules office visits, field visits, and conferences with supervisees.
Aids supervisees in setting priorities and deadlines to meet goals.
Prepares unit meeting agendas and individual conference agendas.
Reviews and interprets manuals, legal mandates, new policies, etc. adjusting program-matic and operational goals, policies, and procedures as needed.
Meets with the Regional Children Services Consultant/State staff periodically to review changes in regulations, and polices affecting the unit.
Acts as a member of the Management Team assisting in establishing agency goals, policies, procedures etc. and keeps unit informed of Management Team decisions relating to the agency and the unit.
Provides input to Program Administrator and/or Deputy Director and/or Director regarding need for staff, equipment, training programs, etc.
Assigns cases to staff and maintains workload balance.
Evaluates individual case loads and staff skills on an on-going basis making necessary changes to keep operations running smoothly and fairly.
Organizes unit to efficiently carry out changing mandates in the Child Protective Services Program.
Operationalizes new policies and procedures.
Serves on Inter-Agency committees, community boards and committees as an agency representative.
Coordinates unit activities with Income Maintenance staff, with agency attorney to Children's Services, Child Support staff and community resources.
Interviews dissatisfied or special clients to resolve problems.
Screens referrals with Intake workers in two-party review.
Makes recommendations for additional personnel, equipment, space, etc. based on sound factual data to the Program Administrator/Deputy Director/Director.
Keeps abreast of CPS funding availability assists workers in using correct daysheet codes to maximize funding.
Executes contracts for needed services (for example translation services) of unit.
Conducts individual and group conferences regularly to determine if unit and individual standards and goals are met.
Reviews case records monthly for compliance with dictation and quarterly for compliance with regulations, policies, standards and appropriateness of
Reviews written court summaries and Safety Assessments/Strengths& Needs/Risk Assessment/initial Case Plans/In-Home Family Services Plan.
Provides on-the-job training and orientation for new staff and on-going training for all unit staff in individual and group settings (including social worker well-being protocol and confidentiality).
Plan for staff to attend formal training to improve skills according to State standards and timelines.
Maintains a log by individual worker showing training topic, dates attended, location, and facilitator and assures that staff receive mandated training within established time frames.
Conducts staff meetings at least monthly to review new manual material and agency policy, discussing problems within the unit, and giving staff an opportunity to share problems, concerns, ideas, etc.
Arrange for new on-call staff to view the videotape of the June 15, 1992 Teleconference "After Hours CPS Coverage for On-Call Workers" at least two weeks before staff member assumes on-call responsibility.
Provides counseling to staff regarding workload, assisting staff in dealing with their own anger and sadness resulting from work with dysfunctional families.
Provides counseling and support regarding work performance and work habit issues. If counseling and support do not work, supervisor begins the disciplinary process following written agency policy regarding discipline and grievance.
Evaluates each supervisee on an on-going basis and prepares an annual evaluation got employees with permanent status. Evaluation for probationary employees occur at intervals (five months and 8 months) and annually.
Makes recommendations to the Program Administrator regarding promotion, dismissal, reassignment, and salary adjustments of staff.
Approves leave requests and reports.
Assists the Program Administrator in preparation of structured interviews, participates in interviews of potential Unit members, and makes recommenda-tions in conjunction with the Program Administrator to the Director based on interviews and reference checks.
Designs new positions within the unit and is responsible for preparation of new job descriptions and assisting staff with updating of existing positions when changes occur.