CWS Case Manager - Family Preservation / 61016203

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Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!

Job Duties:

• The Child Welfare Services Case Manager - Family Preservations under limited supervision perform specialized case management in the areas of child and adult welfare services including but not limit to the areas of investigation, protective and preventative services, permanency planning, and treatment services for children and families.

• Assists families in identifying treatment/service needs and implements immediate treatment services to families to start the reunification process and completes safety and risk assessments monthly during face to face visit. Participates in family meetings and develops treatment plans with the family, identifying all needs of the parents and caregivers. Identifies appropriate services, makes the referrals to service, schedules appointments with service providers and forwards the referral information to the providers prior to the appointments and monitors the families' progress with their treatment. At 6 months in family preservation cases, if parents are non compliant, initiate court paperwork. Provide transportation for family members as needed.

• Completes assessment to determine abuse or neglect. Participates in the Family Court Process according to state law and policy. Cooperate with police, attorneys, counselors, and other partners. Collaborates with attorney and supervisor to complete court summaries in detail with case history. Attend, dress in a professional manner, offer testimony as needed, make recommendations to detail problems and what the Department feels will reduce risk to the children. Explain the court process to children and parents. Completes diligent searches for absent parents and relatives. Staff with attorney prior to court hearings.

• Provides placement services for children and /or adults who have been removed from their caretakers due to abuse/neglect. Coordinates services with GAL and foster parents. Makes face to face contact with the child, parent and caregiver monthly with all clients being seen and documented by the 25th of each month. The majority of face to face visits with the child will be held in the home. Worker will address the individual needs of the child, parent and caregivers by making necessary referrals and monitoring treatment progress.

• Performs job delivery and/or performance with positive or appropriate customer service delivery to clients, the public, and co-workers as an integral requirement. Will be a team player. Represents the agency in a positive manner by placing customer service as an integral job priority through the completion of job duties and/or service. Employee will assist supervisors and co workers in other job duties when asked.

• To understand and exercise data security and confidentiality in the transfer, disclosure and management of all client and employee personal information (PII). Protect confidential information by making sure it is shared on an as needed basis with authorized individuals only. Lock and secure all electronic devices when not in use. DSS ID badge must be on person at all times. Attend security trainings when required.

• Must be able to attend all Red Cross shelter duties and other related duties as required.

• Perform other duties required.

A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or Social Science. A Bachelor's Degree in any other field and one (1) year experience in a related field. Child Welfare experience highly desired.

*Important Salary Information*

With the recent implementation of the Child Welfare salary plan funded by the General Assembly beginning in July 2021, front line case managers and team leaders (supervisors) will not only earn higher starting salaries when joining DSS than in previous years, but will also enjoy supplements to their starting salaries upon completion of training and competencies, attainment of BSW/MSW degrees for front line case managers, annual increases for years of continuous service, and salary increases upon attainment of established competencies/certifications for moving into Level 2 and Level 3 salaries.

New Child Welfare case managers will earn a starting salary of at least $45,721 during initial certification, depending on education level and degree type, with up-front starting salary supplements of 2.5% ($46,865) and 5% ($48,006) for candidates holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, and 10% ($50,293) for team leaders (supervisors), respectively. Following completion of training certification, assignment of caseloads with one year of completed experience, quarterly adjustments will be made to move successful trainees into the Level 1 salary bracket and will receive at least a 15% salary increase (adjusting their salary to $52,843, $54,165 or $55,400 depending on degree type), and $58,125 for team leaders (supervisors) at that time.

Annual salary increases of up to 0.50% per year will be awarded on a quarterly basis for each consecutive year a Level 1 case manager remains in his/her class/position.

In January of 2022, DSS rolled out additional opportunities for case managers to progress from Level 1 to Levels 2 and 3, with increases in salary averaging 2.5% for each increase in the case managers level of expertise under the salary plan. Level 2 and 3 child welfare staff will also see accelerated annual increases of 1% to 1.5% per year awarded for each continuous year served in his/her class/position. Progression from Level 1 to Levels 2 and 3 requires completion of specified requirements in the Advancement Pathway which include additional training, skill development, and practice model aligned competencies that increase in complexity as the career path progresses. Case reviews, data compliance reviews, field observations and employee self-assessments are used by supervisors to evaluate eligible employees demonstration of competencies and skills prior to approval to advance to the subsequent level.

This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers. Must have a valid driver's license, with access to a personal vehicle, and be able and willing to drive and transport children and adults. Must be able to lift children and to interact with adults and children in a positive and supportive demeanor. Must have the ability to cope with stressful work and life-threatening situations. If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

DIVISION : CWS - Family Preservation / Union County