Social Work Supervisor III - Foster Care Unit

Social Worker Supervisor

Position supervises 5 Social Workers. Preferred candidate should have at least two years related experience in Foster Care and current pre-service training certification.

The primary purpose of the Foster Care Unit is to carry out the agency's mandate to develop and implement case plans for individual children who are in the agency's placement responsibility in order to obtain a permanent plan which is in their best interest. Plans include return to parent or relative, adoption, or in the case of children ages 16-18 who are not interested in adoption to provide them with skills for independent living.

Children, biological families, and foster parents receive services and are linked with appropriate resources to meet this goal.

A second purpose is to provide a safe and nurturing placement in the least restrictive environment for each child. This unit licenses local foster homes according to state standards. The unit in conjunction with the Adoption/Child Protective Services Intake Unit provides training to all prospective foster care and adoptive parents using the Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting curriculum and also makes licensed foster parents aware of additional training which would enhance their skills.

The unit maintains an active recruitment effort and keeps the public aware of the needs of foster children in the county.

Employee provides supervision to a staff of four Social Worker IIIs and one Senior Social Worker III. The supervisor establishes, supports, and implements standards that are consistent with state and federal statutes, Administrative Rules and foster care standards. The supervisor is responsible for:

1) assuring implementation of agency policy

2) providing regular supervision to staff in order to evaluate performance, maintain objectivity, and process client specific issues

3) focusing interventions on expected outcomes

4) receiving training, consultation, and support which will enhance effectiveness of staff

5) coordinating work flow operation

6) assigning cases

7) arranging mandated training efficiently and effectively

8) assuring that quality services are rendered

Working hours are generally from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Employee also serves as a consultant for "after hours" coverage on a rotating basis.

Instructions are provided in written and oral form. Employee has scheduled conferences with the Program Administrator. Instructions are also provided by the State through manual changes, administrative letters and the Children's Program Representative. Employee attends appropriate workshops regarding policy, procedure, supervision, social work trends, and staff development.

Considerable knowledge and ability to apply methods and principles of casework supervision 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 Work First Block grant, IV-E, SSBG, Medicaid, Transportation, At-Risk Case Management, Permanency Planning, foster care, foster care licensure, and foster parent training.

Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and other resources within and without the community.

Considerable knowledge of behavioral and socio-economic problems and their treatment.

Considerable knowledge of 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, civic and religious organizations.

Ability to supervise, train or orient lower-level employees or interns.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally, and in writing.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.