CWS Case Manager - Adoptions (Human Services Specialist II) / 61016269

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!

We're looking for an enthusiastic Child Welfare Services Case Manager for our Florence County office who performs specialized case management in the area of Child Welfare Services including but not limited to the areas of Adoptions, adoptive applicants and family recruitment and licensure, and treatment services for children and families.

The CWS Case Manager provides continuous family assessment to carry out the family service plan which may include permanency planning, assessing parenting capacity, preparing children for adoptive placement, group counseling and therapeutic services, coordinating and planning joint case services with other child welfare staff.

Makes home visits as required by agency policy and applicable law(s).

Conducts home studies for purpose of evaluating family functioning, relationships, and ability to care for adoptive children which may include home visits, references, fire and health inspections and other requirements as indicated by agency policy or law.

Coordinates the selection of adoptive families. Makes referrals for specialized recruitment and placement. Coordinates Pre-Adoptive or Adoptive Placement. Provides post placement services to children and families. Provides supervision to adoptive families including referrals to community resources. Makes emergency placements.

Plans and implements recruitment programs to increase the number of adoptive families, provide information, and participate in community outreach.

Trains adoptive applicants through group or individual sessions regarding roles and responsibilities.

Removes children from abusive and neglectful homes to place them in a protective environment. Assists Law Enforcement and Family Court in emergency removal of children and placement in a protective environment.

Participates in appropriate staffing's and legal proceedings as it relates to adoption services. Prepares necessary summaries, home studies, judicial reviews, petitions, and makes recommendations as needed. Represents the agency in Court which may include testimony.

Participates in Red Cross training and shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty/services as directed.

All South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) Employees are expected to Adopt, Implement, and Promote the Published Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles, While Employed by the Agency.

A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or Social Science.

A Bachelor's Degree in any other field and one (1) year experience in a related field.

Selected positions may prefer a Master's Degree.

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a Social Work or Social Welfare Program accredited by the Council on accredited institution, plus experience as a professional Social Worker.

Knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior adjustment techniques. Knowledge of case management practices and interviewing techniques. Knowledge of legal principles and practices. Knowledge of investigative techniques, principles and practices. Knowledge of methods, principles and practices of clinical and educational services. Knowledge of services available from the community and other public and private programs. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws or regulations pertaining to social service programs. Ability to organize and maintain a caseload. Ability to exercise discretion in interpreting and applying established objective. Ability to effectively plan, coordinate and manage complex treatment interventions.

*Important Salary Information*
With the recent implementation of the Child Welfare salary plan funded by the General Assembly beginning in July 2021, front line case managers and supervisors will not only earn higher starting salaries when joining DSS than in previous years, but will also enjoy supplements to their starting salaries upon completion of training, attainment of BSW/MSW degrees for front line case managers, annual increases for years of continuous service, and salary increases upon attainment of established competencies/certifications for moving into Level 2 and Level 3 salaries.

New Child Welfare case managers will earn a starting salary of at least $40k during initial certification, depending on education level and degree type, with up-front starting salary supplements of 2.5% ($41k) and 5% ($42k) for candidates holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, respectfully. Upon completion of training/certification and assignment of caseloads, successful trainees will move into the Level 1 salary bracket and will receive at least a 15% salary increase (adjusting their salary to $46,000, $47,150 or $48,300 depending on degree type) at that time. Certification can typically be attained within 6 months of hire.

Upon certification, annual salary increases of up to 0.50% per year will be awarded for each consecutive year a Level 1 case manager remains in his/her class/position.

In January of 2022, DSS plans to roll out additional opportunities for case managers to progress from Level 1 to Levels 2 and 3, with increases in salary averaging 5% for each increase in the case manager’s level of expertise under the salary plan. Level 2 and 3 child welfare staff will also see accelerated annual increases of 1% to 1.5% per year awarded for each continuous year served in his/her class/position.