Social Work Supervisor III - Permanency Planning

JCI; Smithfield (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnston County Department of Social Services seeks a Social Work Supervisor III to lead a team of social workers delivering foster care, adoption, and related services to children and families in Johnston County.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s in social work with direct child welfare experience and has strong supervisory and case management skills. This position offers a robust benefits package and opportunities to influence permanency and reunification outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work (MSW) with two years of related experience; or Bachelor's degree in social work with three years of related experience.
• Experience supervising social workers and overseeing foster care/adoptions cases is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of child welfare and family services, court processes, and case management.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a sub-unit of social workers providing direct services to clients.
• Coordinate case workflow, staff training, and unit staffing decisions.
• Oversee foster care/adoption services and permanency planning for children 0–18 and young adults 18–21.

Skills

Social work principles

Case coordination

Staff supervision

Communication

Court involvement

Education

Master's in social work

Bachelor's in social work

Job description

Johnston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Description

The primary purpose of the Johnston County Department of Social Services (JCDSS) is to provide mandatory and non-mandated programs and services to citizens of Johnston County. JCDSS is responsible for providing Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoptions, LINKS, ICPC, Services for Adults and Disabled individuals, Adult Protective Services, Guardianship, determining eligibility for Public Assistance (TANF, Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, LIEAP, Crisis Intervention, Daycare, General Assistance) and a full range of social and support services to eligible recipients. Johnston County Department of Social Services has an immediate opening for a Social Work Supervisor III. Preference will be given to applicants with prior Child Welfare experience and/ or completion of mandatory Child Welfare training within the last 3 years. Internal applicants must apply online to be considered. It is preferred that a copy of an unofficial transcript be attached to the application at time of submission for qualification purposes. Please note should a transcript not be attached, it may be requested.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Social Work Supervisor III will supervise a sub-unit or team, which is composed of Social Workers who provide direct services to clients. The position requires considerable guidance to Social work staff in case consultation, coordination of work flow operations and case review by staffing, direct consultation and record monitoring. The Supervisor will oversee staff that provide foster care and/or adoption services for children ages 0-18 years of age as well as Foster Care services for young adults ages 18-21. When a parent or caretaker can no longer provide basic needs for their children, it is the responsibility of the State to become involved with the family and provide necessary services to prevent removal of the children from the home. If these intervention strategies are not successful, placement outside of the parental family unit may be necessary and a more permanent plan of care is established for the child. This employee will ensure foster care services are provided by social workers in working toward reunification while at the same time establishing an alternative permanency plan which includes, but not exclusive to, relative or non-relative placement, guardianship and/or adoption. This may include court action to terminate parental rights of biological parents in order to place the child in a permanent adoptive home. This position will be responsible for any and all court reviews, agency foster care reviews, risk assessment and family and/or individual case plans which occur while the worker is the case manager of said cases. The Social Work Supervisor III will conduct sub-unit team staffing and participate in unit staffing at discretion of Program Manager. This position will be available for supervision and guidance during non-agency hours when warranted and needed. The Social Work Supervisor III will supervise vertically within their team and consult horizontally within the Children Services unit to ensure all caretaker and juveniles are provided appropriate services in the most expedient and judicious manner possible.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work and community problems.
• Thorough knowledge of a wide range of behavioral and psychosocial problems and their treatment.
• Thorough knowledge of family and group dynamics and a wide range of intervention techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
• General knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program.
• Considerable knowledge of disease pathophysiology in order to explain/present treatment alternatives to patients and families is required in teaching hospitals.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a client and applying theories, principles, and techniques of assessing psychological, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client problems.
• Ability to supervise, train, or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns in the program.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of caseload and their families as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.

Desired Education and Experience

Master's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related experience; or a bachelor's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of directly related experience.

Or

A master's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of 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; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants with supervisory experience in a social work program within a county department of social services; extensive front-line experience in a county department of social services in North Carolina preferably in Child Welfare.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned.

Important Pre-Employment Information

• If the position requires a degree, official transcripts must be submitted within 30 days of hire.
• A pre-employment reference check will be conducted.
• A background check may be required and may include criminal history, motor vehicle records, sex offender registry checks, pre-employment drug screening, SBI fingerprinting, and, if applicable, a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) check.
• A conviction record does not automatically disqualify you from employment, unless otherwise required by state law. Each situation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Johnston County provides a comprehensive, affordable insurance and benefits program. Employees are offered a diverse selection of benefits including medical (no-cost for the employee plan), dental, life, and supplemental benefit coverages. Employees can also take advantage of our on-site wellness clinic and virtual telehealth program, both at no-cost! Additional benefits include participation in the NC Retirement System, a 401(k) match option, generous paid leave and holiday schedule, tuition reimbursement, and more! To learn more, visit www.myjcbenefits.com

• This description applies to benefits eligible positions.