Social Services Manager

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to “Doing the Most Good”. We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for kids after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.

Job Summary

The Social Services Manager is responsible for managing all Pathway of Hope casework services to families at the Elgin Corps. The manager works in collaboration with the Regional Social Work Manager along with the Corps Officer implementing and overseeing the program’s objectives, including providing direct services to Pathway of Hope families, keeping required records, and identifying resources to support participating families.

Administrative leadership is provided to corps social service programs as well as social service employee(s) & volunteers, reaching out into the community to offer services as well as develop a network of support and funding sources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Client Services

• Interviews persons referred to the Pathway of Hope (POH) program to assess their eligibility. Obtains background information from client and makes preliminary assessment based on guidelines of POH program.
• Provides intake and assessment services as defined by the Pathway of Hope curriculum.
• Delivers the full range of Pathway of Hope individualized services for a minimum of 10 families annually including:
  • Conduct pre-screening and intake of participants using specified assessment tools. Families must meet low-income guidelines with an emphasis on vulnerable populations within the surrounding communities.
  • Provide linkage to Pastoral Care Representative for pastoral care, counseling, and support.
  • Conduct goal setting steps with participants formulating change-oriented action plans.
  • Conduct follow-up case management meetings with participants.
  • Refer participant to internal and/or external services designed to address identified goals.
  • Monitor and track participants progress in goal attainment on the action plans.
  • Develop plans to address transition needs and ongoing documentation of progress.
• Additional Pathway of Hope duties to include:
  • Recruit, invite, and provide case management with families who desire to participate in Pathway of Hope.
  • Perform time sensitive assessment screenings, goal assistance and collaboration with community resources to best help the family meet personalized goals.
  • Meet weekly face-to-face, virtually, or by phone to check on client's progress.
  • Maintains case files for each client that includes all assessments, action plans, case notes, graduation plans.
  • Enters client data and reporting of information into the SIMS system that supports local, national, and territorial POH program outcomes.
  • Keeps records in compliance with standards to assure for program evaluation/certification requirements.
  • Participates in scheduled cluster meetings, conference calls and individual supervision meetings with the Regional Social Work Manager
  • Participates in meetings with Corps Officer and other Corps staff
  • Participates in Divisional or Territorial educational forums and webinars designed to facilitate understanding of a wide range of topics (especially related to emergency assistance, case management and POH).
  • Participates with POH planning and program development at assigned sites.
• Collaborates with area agencies involved with clients in implementing case management plan.
• Grants material assistance based upon need and as a part of a total service plan and client goals. Documents intake assessment and ongoing case management notes within 72 hours of intake based on established program guidelines.
• Provides leadership and supervision for all social service programs as well as regular and volunteer staff of social service programs (i.e., food pantry programs, home goods pantry programs, seasonal & holiday assistance, community meals, emergency assistance, etc.). This includes storage, inventory, and stock rotation of home goods and food pantries.
• Provides oversight for in-kind or financial aid according to Emergency Assistance Program Policies & Procedures Manual, (i.e., clothing, food pantry programs, household furnishings, rent/utilities, etc.).
• Provides support for Holiday Assistance as an outreach of the POH program. (i.e., holiday food baskets, application/intake process, Angel Tree/Toy Shop program, etc.).
• Uses the IRIS database to make and accept referrals based upon need and as a part of the total case management plan and goals. Makes specific arrangements for client to apply for additional resources, when appropriate. Refers individuals/families to:
  • Other area agencies/services
  • Other corps services
  • Other Salvation Army services for longer term help (i.e., Salvation Army Shield of Hope, Harbor Light Center, etc.
• Maintains and oversees concise comprehensive written case records on all clients requesting assistance, including FEMA, utility assistance programs and seasonal Christmas assistance. Consistently updates interviewer’s notes on client database. Interviewer’s notes include assessment, case management plan, assistance given, and referrals made.

Community Relations

• Networks with local social service agencies, churches, schools, medical providers, and local businesses to establish and maintain ongoing partnerships to support all social service programs and specifically to build a network of support for the Pathway of Hope program.
• Seeks out opportunities to speak, in collaboration with the Corps Officers and Resource Development Director, on behalf of The Salvation Army at area service clubs, community events, and churches to increase awareness of POH and to raise funds to support program needs.
• Evaluate community needs and trends, in consultation with other community organizations as appropriate. Communicating relevant information to the Corps Council and Advisory Councils via the Corps Officers.
• Maintains an updated community resource file of area services and maintains positive relationships with frequently used service providers.
• Utilizes volunteers as appropriate.
• Attends emergency service workshops sponsored by various area agencies.
• Maintains a working relationship with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Attend trainings and maintain certifications per contract agreement.

Administration

• Develops and monitors the Social Service budget in consultation with the Corps Officers.
• Seeks out additional funding and grant sources in collaboration with the Resource Development Director to support POH and social service programs.
• Serves on committees related to case management, emergency assistance and building sufficiency, as requested, or appointed.
• Have a working knowledge of special grants made available through divisional headquarters (i.e., NICOR Sharing, Illinois American Water etc.)
• Maintains and processes proper documentation and reports for all grant and FEMA expenditures.
• Is responsible for the thoroughness and accuracy of daily and monthly Salvation Army casework statistics and additional program statistics, required by funding sources.
• Organizes time and manages job so that maximum service is given to clients and job performance meets corps quantitative standards.
• Performs other duties, as assigned by the Corps Officers.

Seasonal Duties

• Plans and executes seasonal social service programs (Back to School efforts, Angel Tree, etc.)
• Facilitate the recruitment, application, and registration process for sending local youth to Salvation Army summer camps.
• Provide leadership and direction to the influx of seasonal volunteers required to execute these large-scale community programs.

Other Duties

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education

Bachelors’ degree in a human service area required. A MSW is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of two years of case management experience in a comparable social service or education program.
• Minimum of one year of supervisory/leadership experience, managing a team of employee(s) and volunteer(s).
• Bilingual (Spanish/English); ability to communicate fluently in Spanish and English preferred.
• Completion of the Territorial Caseworker Certification Program, within the first 90 days of hire.
• Completion of all trainings required by The Salvation Army and in compliance with state guidelines
• A valid driver’s license and clearance of The Salvation Army’s MVR process.
• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Regional Social Work Manager and the Corps Officers informed on all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in fulfilling the responsibilities of this position.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• This position is required to do light physical work and must be able to lift 3 0 pounds.
• In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment and a PC.
• The work environment for this position includes an office environment with a low to medium noise level.
• Must be able to travel to assigned service sites.
• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with subordinates, co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients, and visitors; respect of others’ property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates. Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact, volunteer, and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.

Competencies

• Strong ability to use independent judgement and discretion in business decisions related to overall social services program.
• Cultural sensitivity with an interest in providing direct services to persons of various ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Friendly with excellent communication (verbal and written) and people skills, using diplomacy and good judgment.
• A love for and desire to serve others, especially disenfranchised individuals, families, and the local community through the mission of The Salvation Army.
• Integrity with the ability to work with confidential material.
• Critical thinking skills including assessment, service planning, material assistance, resource development and networking, referral and linkage, follow-up, and documentation.
• Time management skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and use initiative.
• Capacity to collaborate with Corps, Social Services, and Emergency Disaster Services.
• A strong commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army.

Reporting Relationships

• Under direct supervision of the Corps Officers, with substantial freedom to plan, schedule and carry out responsibilities based on Corps Officer direction and within established policies and guidelines by the Division.
• This position works collaboratively with Corps Officers and the Regional Social Work Manager ensuring effective delivery of quality services within the context of mission objectives.
• This position supervises employees, the Social Services team which consists of the Receptionist, Case Worker I, and volunteers, etc. who perform social services related duties at the Corps.
• This individual relates to, and interacts with, a wide range of contacts both within and outside The Salvation Army. In these contacts, this individual acts as a representative of the Army and its mission.

Performance Measures

• This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved, as well as the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.
• A 30, 60, and 90-day performance review will be conducted.

The Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Additional Information

Doing the Most Good

Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world ? The Salvation Army is the fourth largest charity in the United States and is an international organization based on Biblical principles created to help people in need . We are mission-driven, diverse, collaborative, and focused on positive results for people. Join us in making a difference.

• The Salvation Army offers a competitive benefit package for eligible employees which may include the following medical, dental, vision, hearing, disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, a company-funded defined contribution (pension) plan and generous time off policies .

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact the Human Resources department.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minority/Female/Veterans/Disabled. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.