DCS CASE MANAGER

Job Information

LOCATION OF (12) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CHILD AND FAMILY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, BRADLEY COUNTY, HAMILTON COUNTY, MCMINN COUNTY, MARION COUNTY, & SEQUATCHIE COUNTY

Qualifications

Summary

Responsibilities

Documenting/Recording Information:

• Documents Accurate Information From An Interview.
• Prepares Reports For Court.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Prepares to participate and testify in court proceedings.
• Recruits adoptive/foster parents.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiation with Others:

• Addresses inappropriate behaviors and/or actions with clients, service providers, resource parents, etc.

Getting Information:

• Conducts intake interviews with individuals reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Conducts interviews with child¿s family and collateral contacts (e.g. principals, neighbors, doctors, etc.).
• Gathers demographic information on the child and family (e.g. Genogram, Ecomap, Lexus Nexus, etc.).
• Gathers complete and accurate information (e.g. child¿s school records, psychological evaluation report or medical examination results.).
• Locates and identifies natural, formal, and informal supports.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

• Works flexible hours including weekends, holidays, and after hours.
• Conducts regularly conduct home visits to assess the safety of homes.
• Conducts multiple and on-going face-to-face visits with children, resources families, providers, kinship home and other relevant entities.
• Schedules appointments as necessary and needed.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

• Determines if abuse or neglect has occurred, who the abuser is, the level of risk or harm to the child, and the need for a safety plan.
• Makes recommendations for reunification or termination of parental rights.
• Monitors adoptive and foster families to check the compatibility of the child with the family.
• Actively listens to concerns to make appropriate referrals.
• Coordinates and observes visitations for children in and out-of-home placements to ensure meaningful visitations.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Recognizes and acknowledges the rights of families.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Adheres to departmental policy.
• Completes all training hours as required by the Department.

Analyzing Data or Information:

• Conducts ongoing assessments of all incoming information.
• Completes required assessments in a timely manner (e.g. Family Functional, CANS, YLS, FAST, etc.).

Assisting and Caring for Others:

• Transports children to various appointments, safely and securely.
• Assist child in preparing for placement (e.g. adoption, reunification, permanent guardianship, etc.).

Developing and Building Teams:

• Convenes and identifies members for a Child and Family Team Meetings that will work collaboratively with the Case Manager to develop action steps and goals to be accomplished by the child and family.
• Participates as an active member of a team; support and rely on team members for additional knowledge and help when needed.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

• Reviews and explains relevant documents to clients.

Interacting with Computers:

• Operates computer programs (e.g. Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, departmental systems for entering child welfare information (TFACTS), etc.).

Performing General Physical Activities:

• Administers drug screens analysis.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public:

• Makes referrals for service providers.
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement officials and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Trains adoptive/foster parents and community.
• Works with service providers to receive information.

Performing Administrative Activities:

• Maintains and update case files.
• Obtains appropriate signatures on required documents.
• Answers and returns all correspondence in a timely manner.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

• Communicates effectively what the issues are to build solutions.
• Engages with children and families to build a trustful relationship.
• Encourages clients to be self-sufficient to overcome barriers and achieve permanency.
• Conducts regular home visits to assess the safety of homes.
• Conducts multiple and on-going face-to-face visits with children, resource families, providers kinship homes and other relevant entities.
• Arrives on time and prepared for meetings.
• Responds timely, appropriately and respectfully with families, providers, and co-workers.
• Responds timely to follow-ups with action steps.

Competencies

Competencies:

• Decision Quality
• Problem Solving
• Priority Setting
• Time Management
• Conflict Management
• Sizing Up People
• Drive For Results
• Perseverance
• Organizational Agility
• Written Communications
• Building Effective Teams
• Ethics and Values

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of computer program and office equipment used on a daily basis

Skills:

• The skill to manage one¿s own time
• The skill to actively listen to others
• The skill to organize work efficiently and effectively
• The skill to use problem solving techniques in daily work
• The skill to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
• The skill to listen to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
• The skill to make appropriate decisions on a daily basis

Abilities:

• The ability to be culturally sensitive in the work environment
• The ability to demonstrate warmth and empathy when working with children and families
• The ability to demonstrate self control in daily situations
• The ability to demonstrate critical thinking in the work environment
• The ability to handle daily stressful situations in the work environment
• The ability to demonstrate flexibility in the work environment
• The ability to be a team player in the work environment

Tools & Equipment

• Electronic devices
• Computers
• Motor vehicles

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.