Social Work Supervisor (Sociotherapist)

Children's Aid Society; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Aid Society in New York, NY seeks a Sociotherapist Supervisor to lead a team of Sociotherapists in the Enhanced Family Foster Care program. You will ensure safety, permanency, and well-being for youth, supervise staff, and coordinate with interdisciplinary teams.

Strong knowledge of foster care, leadership, and a commitment to the organization's mission are essential. The role requires a Master's in Social Work (or related field), a valid driver's license, and experience as a

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required, preferably in Social Work or another related field.
• Driver's License required.
• Prior Sociotherapist experience preferred.
• Thorough working knowledge of the foster care and adoption system.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Sociotherapists during weekly home visits to youth with higher acuity needs.
• Provide supervision, training, and guidance to supervisees; monitor treatment plans.
• Coordinate coverage during staff vacations and weekly contacts for uncovered cases.
• Participate in and sometimes lead Interdisciplinary Treatment Team Meetings with external providers.
• Be trained in the Guide Tree Model and attend weekly consultations.
• Monitor timeliness of progress notes and enter supervisory notes in Connections.
• Attend agency meetings and trainings; support professional development.
• Provide on-call and in-office support; coordinate alternating weekly on-call coverage.
• Participate in case conferences, consultations, and staff meetings.
• Travel and transport children as needed.
• Provide Case Aide supervision.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Sociotherapist exp

Foster care knowledge

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Leadership

Adolescents experience

Flexibility under pressure

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work

Driver's License

Job description

$72,000 - $77,000 / year

Position Summary

The Sociotherapist Supervisor will provide leadership, supervision, and support to a team of Sociotherapists, who are providing services to youth and families in our Enhanced Family Foster Care Program (EFFC). The Supervisor will work with the Sociotherapists in adhering to ACS, OCFS, and Children's Aid policies to support the safety, permanency, and well-being of all children and youth. This position reports directly to the Program Director. This supervisory position will also coordinate with case planner supervisors to support EFFC practice to make up the interdisciplinary team serving more acute level youth in our program. The incumbent will understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with the functions of the position.

Children's Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children's Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children's Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children's health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.

We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.

We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.

We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervision of Sociotherapists who provide services (advocacy, support, behavior management) during weekly home visits to youth identified with higher acuity needs. Contacts are aimed at promoting educational and vocational goals as well as maintaining stability and well-being in the foster home.
• Provide close supervision, training, and guidance to supervisees to ensure safety, and to support permanency and well-being within the foster home settings and independent living environment. Consult with Sociotherapists on individual treatment plans for children, monitor the progression of each case, and update treatment plans as necessary.
• Coordinates coverage during staff vacations or makes weekly contacts for any uncovered cases or when there is lack of coverage.
• Participates and at times leads Interdisciplinary Treatment Team Meetings for cases that are assigned Sociotherapists. Facilitate collaboration with other units, across departments and with outside providers which may include mental health staff, educational specialists, youth coaches, and health care coordinators to meet the needs of youth and families.
• Be trained in the Guide Tree Model to support Sociotherapists implementing evidence-informed and evidence-based interventions in their contacts with youth and families. Additionally, attend weekly consultations to support staff use of the program.
• Monitor and track the timeliness of progress note entries to ensure compliance with all ACS guidelines. Enter Supervisory notes in Connections.
• Attend agency meetings and trainings as assigned and coordinate appropriate professional development activities to support Sociotherapists in the practice of their role.
• Provide scheduled on-call support and in-office support that may include holidays; weekends, and times outside of business hours. Additionally, assist with coordinating alternating weekly on-call coverage for Sociotherapists.
• Participate in case conferences, Guide Tree consultations, unit meetings, staff meetings and supervision/coaching.
• Ability to travel and transport children as needed.
• Provide Case Aide supervision.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree required, preferably in Social Work or another related field.
• Driver's License required.

Key Competencies

• Prior Sociotherapist Experience preferred.
• Thorough working knowledge of the foster care and adoption system.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and management skills.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and to relate to birth parents, foster parents and children.
• Previous work with adolescents and their families.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.

Behaviors

Team Player - Works well as a member of a group

Detail Oriented - Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Dedicated - Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Education

Masters of Social Work (required)

Experience

Thorough working knowledge of the foster care and adoption system. (preferred)

Prior Sociotherapist Experience preferred. (preferred)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.