Social Work Program Administrator II - Adoptions, Foster Care and Child Welfare Administration

Social Work Program Administrator

Supervisory experience required. Preferences: Current Pre-Service in Child Welfare; knowledge and/or experience in all program areas; excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills reflective of teamwork; and adaptable to frequent changes. On-Call coverage required.

I. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Nash County Department of Social Services exists to alleviate emotional and economic distress among the citizens of Nash County. Through the delivery of a large number of specialized and complex preventative and restorative programs the agency seeks to assist the county in coping with a variety of social and economic conditions.

A. Primary Purpose of the Position:

The primary purpose of this position is to ensure the delivery of social work services for adults and children in Nash County in accordance with the Mission of the agency and state and local policy. The Social Work Program Administrator will be directly responsible for a total staff of 17, including the direct supervision of 2 Social Work Supervisor IIIs (Adoptions and Foster Care) and 1 Administrative Assistant II.

B. Work Schedule:

Regular work hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, subject to after-hours duty, as required. The Program Administrator participates in on-call rotation with Child Welfare for after-hours emergency coverage.

C. Change in Responsibilities or Organizational Relationships:

Adult Protective Services/Guardianship Unit was removed.

Essential Duties and Tasks

In order of Importance. An asterisk denotes essential function.

A. Operational Responsibilities* (65%)

The Social Worker Program Administrator plans with the 2 units supervisors to ensure the delivery of social work services to children in Nash County in accordance with the Mission of the agency and federal, state and local policy. This position also provides back up to the other SW Program Administrator overseeing Child Protective Services/ In-Home and Family Support Services, to include assisting in weekly case staffing.

In order to plan for the delivery of services, employee coordinates with the other Social Work Program Administrator, Deputy Director, Income Maintenance Administrators and Business Officer within the agency and other organizations within the community. Employee has input into the agency planning process as a member of the DSS Management Team and DSS Executive Management Team.

Employee may also serve on various boards and committees within the county, region and state, providing input on the development of new programs, policies and procedures.

Employee will be responsible for researching and verifying necessary information in NC FAST and PATH NC.

B. Counseling and Discipline* (10%)

Employee adheres to agency policy regarding grievance, counseling and discipline. Resolves grievances of subordinates through counseling and negotiation. Assists Director in preparing for disciplinary actions; such as written warnings and dismissals. Makes recommendations after review and analyzation of evidence to the Director on dismissals. Employee also assists unit supervisors in development of corrective action plans and may participate in employee conferences regarding discipline. May partici-pate in pre-dismissal and dismissal conferences at Director's request. Provides consultation and supervision with unit supervisors in preparing employee performance appraisals.

C. Selection of Employees* (20%)

Develops structured interviews for selection of staff. Selects and interviews potential employees with the assistance of appropriate unit supervisor. After completion of interview and reference and criminal checks on potential employees, makes recommendations to the Deputy Director and Director for final selection.

Responsible for ensuring job descriptions are current for section supervised.

D. Internal Planning/Budgeting/Organizational Design* (5%)

Works with the Deputy Director, Director and Business Officer with development of social work services budget through analysis of statistics and trends and completion of cost figures for different approaches for meeting agency goals. Assists in the preparation of requested documents needed for submission of County Budget. Reviews Day Sheet coding to ensure funds are maximized. Reviews goals and objectives of agency periodically with unit supervisors in order to assist units in achieving goals and objectives.

E. Other Duties*

Employee will be expected to work in emergency shelters and/or perform related disaster tasks and perform other reasonable tasks requested by the Deputy Director or Director.

F. Other Information

Agency has 24-hr coverage for crisis/emergency in Protective Services and Foster Care. Social work staff is "on-call" after hours, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis. Employee will provide consultation to staff in rotation with other supervisor consultants.

Subordinate employees are housed in the same building, however, due to the nature of their work, spend 50% of their time in the community.

III. Other Position Characteristics

1. Accuracy Required in Work

Exactness and accuracy are required in all aspects of duties performed. Numerical accuracy is required in work with budget and other statistical reports. Accurate interpretation of program, agency, county, state and federal policies, regulations, laws, etc. is critical.

B. Consequence of Error

Inaccurate interpretations or incorrect information or procedures may result in lawsuits or claims against the agency, loss of credibility, loss of funding, or inappropriate use of agency resources, including staff, equipment and funding.

C. Instructions Provided to Employee

Instructions are provided in written and oral form by the Deputy Director through conferences and by the Director at agency management team meetings. Instruction is also received through attendance at workshops, county and state policy material and from county, regional and state staff.

D. Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee

N.C. General Statutes, ADA, FLSA, EEO, OSHA, NC DSS, IV-D, fiscal, service manuals, Nash County Human Resources Policy Manual, and all other correspondence from the local, state and regional level that effects the position.

E. Supervision Received by Employee

The Social Work Program Administrator's position reports directly to the Deputy Director. Supervision is provided through regular conferences.

F. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts

Frequent contact with county management staff, Directors and/or top management in other counties, community leaders, attorneys, state and federal congressional representatives, regional and state office staff, clients, other local agency administrators, court personnel, Human Services Board members, and the public.

G. Physical Effort

The physical requirements of this position are considered as sedentary work with occasional lifting up to 10 pounds. Work involves sitting most of the time.

H. Work Environment and Conditions

Work is performed in a private office that complies with the state recommended standards for management office space. Employee could be subject to potential harmful acts from dissatisfied and/or mentally impaired clients when responded to requested staff assistance.

1. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used

Employee uses personal computer, iPad, copier, calculator, camera, automobile, telephone, mobile phone, car seat, scanner, and printer in order to perform duties.

J. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration and Manipulative Skills

Close visual acuity is required to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data, viewing computer monitor and reviewing reports, regulations and correspondence. Intense mental concentration is required in planning, developing and implementing strategies, dealing with intense public relations areas, personnel counseling and disciplinary actions.

K. Safety for Others

Decisions are made daily by agency staff that affects the lives and safety of clients. The Social Work Program Administrator is responsible for helping ensure that appropriate guidelines are in place and adequate training has been provided to assist staff in making critical decisions that might prove to be harmful.

L. Dynamics of Work

The agency is affected on a constant and ongoing basis by changes in methodology, rules, regulations, laws, shifting program emphasis, new programs, changes in technology, etc. Program changes occur due to action of the NC Social Services Commission, Human Services Board, the Board of County Commissioners, Congress and the NC General Assembly.

Program and policy changes impact the client population as well as staffing patterns, budgeting and workloads. Social changes, fluctuation of the economy, an influx of migrant populations, and computerization of work all have direct impact on staffing and the need to analyze organization and program needs.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

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