Family Services Supervisor

Family Services Supervisor

Under general supervision, this position performs professional and supervisory duties in implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods and skills administered by Social Services and providing administrative oversight of professional staff. Reports to the Chief of Services or the Assistant Director of Social Services.

Provides day-to-day guidance and direction to family services workers and supervisors on case related issues, policies and procedures, and agency initiatives; ensures acceptable levels of quality and quantity in the delivery of services; plans caseloads, assigns cases and reviews case records and reviews and signs off on service plans, case assessments, and other reports which require supervisory review. Responsible for the effective supervision and administration to include monitoring expenditures, staff development and training, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities. Evaluates resource needs and manages the effective deployment of resources. Educates the professional community and the general public on agency programs and policies; prepares statistical reports; maintains records. Approves and monitors program expenditures; approves credit authorization and purchase orders for services for customers. Prepares and monitors daily field and attendance logs; remains knowledgeable of program area and subordinate's caseload; assumes responsibilities in his/her absence. Reviews individual cases; assists with unusual or difficult cases; assists Family Services Specialists and Family Services Supervisor with Court preparation. Interviews applicants; evaluates effectiveness of programs; makes changes as necessary. Researches and evaluates community resources; consults with various specialists from other agencies. Performs emergency operations activities to include but not limited to emergency shelter operations and disaster relief activities as necessary. Participates in Food Commodity Distribution as necessary. Assumes responsibility for the accuracy of CPS investigations. Serves as Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) representative and Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT) evaluator; performs VEMAT trainings. Participates in civil defense and community activities. Performs on-call coverage to workers while agency is closed. Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Has considerable knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing Social Services programs. Has considerable knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of individualized service plans as administered through Social Services. Has considerable knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application to individualized service plans. Has considerable knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with programs. Has general knowledge of other programs administered through Social Services and through community human services agencies or volunteer groups. Has general knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community. Is able to supervise, provide guidance and assist other employees. Is able to compile technical information from a variety of sources and prepare clear and concise reports. Is able to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations. Is able to communicate effectively in oral and written form. Is able to explain rules, regulations, and policies of the service plans in terms understood by applicants and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy, and discretion in contact with program applicants and clients, and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Bachelor's degree in a human services field (Social Work, Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, Family and Child Development, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Gerontology or Guidance and Counseling) and considerable years of experience in Social Services or a Child Welfare Unit or Bachelor's degree in any field and considerable years of experience in human services or case management work, plus considerable years of responsible supervisory experience. Master of Social Work (MSW) and previous Child Protective Services (CPS) experience preferred.

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history and sex offender registry check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint. A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Required to work on-call on a 24-hour rotational basis to respond to emergencies and routine situations. Completion of mandatory child protective services and adult protective services training is required. In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include computer, adding machine, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, telephones, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things. Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and/or directions to subordinates or assistants. Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, policy manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence. Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatical form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages, including legal, medical and insurance terminology. Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.