Assistant Child Advocate; Program Coordinator II - 61159976 & 61159980

Assistant Child Advocate (2 positions available)

The SC Department of Children's Advocacy is seeking a hardworking and dependable professional to join our Critical Investigations Team as an Assistant Child Advocate. This full‑time position offers state benefits, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on state service, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Under direction of the Critical Investigations Team Lead and pursuant to Agency's investigative policy and procedures, the employee performs intake and investigative functions regarding Critical Incident Notifications (CINs) that are submitted by various state departments and agencies. The Assistant Child Advocate will:

• 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 the aforementioned agencies.
• Effectively communicate and interact with state agencies, children served, DCA staff, and external staff to fulfill the mission of DCA and represent DCA in a professional manner.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance service delivery, strictly adhere to all agency and division policies and applicable state and federal laws, including confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and other operational requirements, and consistently engage in best practices related to intakes and investigations.
• Perform other related duties as required or directed.

This role requires the investigation of critical incidents—including deaths, near deaths, sexual assaults, attempted sexual assaults, and the substantial risk thereof—and requires a high level of sensitivity, confidentiality, and in‑depth analysis.

• Bachelor's Degree and professional experience with child welfare and/or investigations.
• Professional/Post Graduate Degree (preferred). Demonstrated knowledge of law and policy regarding child‑serving agencies' procedures and experience with conducting investigations.

• May require overnight travel.
• May require working evenings and weekends.
• Requires routine driver duties.
• Requires frequent stooping and/or bending.
• Requires conditionally essential declaration.
• May require reporting to work during emergency situations.
• Travel throughout the state.
• Must possess a valid South Carolina driver's license and reliable vehicle and be able to drive independently throughout the state.

* Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

The SC Department of Children's Advocacy is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.