Social Work Supervisor – Children & Families Services Unit
General Summary
This position works in conjunction with the Children and Families Manager to provide administration and leadership to the programs administered by the Children & Families Division. The position assists the Children and Families Manager with the development and implementation of short and long-range planning, operations, programming and supervision of staff and acts on behalf of the Manager in his/her absence. In addition, this position is directly responsible for Foster Care Coordination. This position is responsible for providing truthful and accurate written and verbal communications.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Job Functions
1. Partners with the Manager to provide leadership and oversight that promotes and enhances the operation of the Children and Families Division.
2. Supervises assigned agency staff providing social services to youth and their families affected by child maltreatment, juveniles in need of protection and services, or delinquency.
3. Provides support to all staff in the division, including training, case consultation, technical assistance, resource identification, client issues, and response to employee needs.
4. Along with the Children and Family Services Manager, acts as a lead screener for Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Youth Services reports, followed by assignment of those cases to the appropriate staff member(s).
5. Oversees and coordinates all Foster Care licensing for the county. Talks with prospective care providers, conducts SAFE home studies on new applicants, for foster care as well as renewal of licensed homes.
6. Coordinates and implements foster parent recruitment efforts in the community, including community-wide marketing campaigns and outreach events. Attends regional and state meetings of Foster Care Coordinators as well as local/regional advocacy groups.
7. Provides ongoing support to foster families to mitigate placement disruptions and ensure retention of an adequate supply of high-quality foster homes in the county. Maintains at least monthly contact with foster families; facilitates Foster Parent Support Group; plans and coordinates foster parent appreciation events; coordinates, plans and delivers foster parent trainings.
8. Prepare required statistics, reports, plans, budgets and reports for assigned programs as directed.
9. Backs up manager and staff, assists with other duties within Children and Families Division as needed during periods of staff shortage or overflow.
Other General Job Functions
1. Approve worker documentation in the eWiSACWIS computer database.
2. Participate in agency staff development and training.
3. Participate in continuing professional development as a supervisor.
4. Promote interagency cooperation and teaming on shared cases.
5. Represent the agency in community, regional and state-level meetings related to agency programs.
6. Strictly follow federal and state laws and regulations, as well as county and departmental policies and procedures in regard to information privacy, confidentiality and security.
Requirements
Training and Experience
1. Graduate of an accredited college or university with a minimum of BA/BS degree in Social Work or closely related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
2. Certification or eligibility for certification as a Social Worker in the State of Wisconsin, preferably at the Advanced Practice level or higher.
3. Three or more years of work as a social worker in a public/non-profit social service agency, maintaining acceptable standards.
4. Training in Chapter 56 Foster Care licensing, Chapter 58 Kinship Care, and Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) methodology within 1 year of hire is required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
1. Knowledge of casework, principles and methods in the field of child welfare, family inter-relationships, juvenile delinquency, individual and group behavior, family preservation, permanency planning, and child / human development.
2. Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, standards, and practices pertaining to social services programs.
3. Knowledge of community organization principles and methods.
4. Knowledge of individual medical information privacy, confidentiality, and security statutes, regulations, policies and procedures.
5. Skills in the areas of team building, leadership, and customer relations.
6. Ability to direct and supervise the work of others.
7. Ability to read, comprehend, and communicate, both verbally and in writing.
8. Ability to recognize individual differences in workers and to gauge their learning patterns and potential for independent work and then develop that potential.
9. Other desirable characteristics include but are not limited to: positive attitude, creativity, flexibility, innovation, and strengths-based philosophy in all aspects of social work practice.
10. Ability to use tact and courtesy in maintaining an effective working relationship with department employees, county supervisors, county officials, and general public.
Physical & Working Conditions
Nearly 100% of time work is performed in a normal office setting with little or no discomfort from temperature, dust or noise. Interacting with other employees, general public, whether walking in or on the telephone may be encountered.
Over 75% of work is performed stationary at a desk, working on a computer keyboard and/or telephone with about 10% of work performed moving around the organization. Over 75% of the work is performed by talking, hearing, and using both far and near vision. Occasional moving of items is required up to 10 lbs. (i.e. paper or equipment).
Potential for physical harm exists during home visits or when the worker is engaging hostile or emotionally irate clients. Limited office space may produce some overcrowding and may cause distraction. Lack of office privacy requires careful attention to confidentiality to safeguard client personal information.
In an effort to provide for continuity of County government and to cope with the problems of the emergency, you may be required to work during a proclaimed state of emergency, consistent with Sec. 323.14, Wis. Stats. and County emergency management plans and programs.
The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.
Deadline Note: