Job Description

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!
Job duties:

• The CWS Case Manager for our Pickens County office performs case management in the Child Welfare area of Family Preservation in accordance with DSS Policy, Mission and GPS Practice Model. Conducting timely initial investigations of reports of child abuse and neglect and offering services to children and families who may have experienced or are at risk of experiencing child maltreatment. Performs on-call duties as assigned.

• Performs case management (contacts, visitation, case planning) to a caseload of children and families to ensure safety, permanency and well-being. Responds to assigned intakes within identified time frames to conduct initial safety assessments of the family and home using the comprehensive Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST).

• Completes, reviews and updates the Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST) according to time frames established by DSS Policy. Utilizes the Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST) to collaboratively develop Family Permanency Plans and make timely service referrals.

• Authentically engages families, other professionals within the agency, and external partners with empathy and respect; to include timely responses to telephone calls, emails, and texts. Collaborates closely with law enforcement and legal when safety concerns are present. Completes legal packets when case has been identified as needing legal action or an EPC has occurred.

• Maintains physical and electronic case record by composing clear, objective, and thorough documentation covering pertinent details of case activities per DSS policy and the GPS Practice Model. Ensures all case management activities are documented in CAPSS system according to time frames established by DSS policy. Ensures documentation meets quality standards and captures necessary elements pertinent to safety, permanency, well-being and case planning.

• Collaborates closely with legal when safety concerns are present or when a case has been identified as needing legal action to promote timely permanency. Regularly assesses safety and permanency resources, adheres to court orders, submits court packets timely and participates in legal proceedings.

• Maintains Child Welfare certification and completes 20 hours of training yearly to include certifications that are required yearly.

• Maintains an active routine of self-care and pursues support when necessary to minimize the threat of secondary trauma to physical and mental health. Understands the impact of trauma on families and secondary trauma on child welfare staff and applies principles to support families.

• Will be required to perform Red Cross shelter/emergency response duties as directed.

Agency Requirements:
A Bachelor\'s Degree in Social Work, Behavioral Science or Social Science.

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

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.

This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers.

Must possess a valid driver\'s license, be able and willing to drive and to transport children and adults; must be able to lift children and to interact with children and adults in a positive manner. May require overtime hours to include weekends and work during natural disaster or deployment of staff in State issued emergency responses.

If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.

DIVISION: CWS - Family Preservation / Pickens County

*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 and competencies, 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 $41,200 during initial certification, depending on education level and degree type, with up-front starting salary supplements of 2.5% ($42,230) and 5% ($43,260) for candidates holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, respectfully. Following completion of training certification, assignment of caseloads with one year of completed experience, quarterly adjustments will be made to move successful trainees into the Level 1 salary bracket and will receive at least a 15% salary increase (adjusting their salary to $47,380, $48,564 or $49,749 depending on degree type) at that time.

Annual salary increases of up to 0.50% per year will be awarded on a quarterly basis for each consecutive year a Level 1 case manager remains in his/her class/position.

In January of 2022, DSS rolled 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. Progression from Level 1 to Levels 2 and 3 requires completion of specified requirements in the Advancement Pathway which include additional training, skill development, and practice model aligned competencies that increase in complexity as the career path progresses. Case reviews, data compliance reviews, field observations and employee self-assessments are used by supervisors to evaluate eligible employees\' demonstration of competencies and skills prior to approval to advance to the subsequent level.

State of South Carolina