Job Information

LOCATION OF (5) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CHILD AND FAMILY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, BLOUNT COUNTY, COCKE COUNTY, HAMBLEN COUNTY, JEFFERSON COUNTY, AND SEVIER COUNTY

Minimum QualificationsEducation and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.

Other RequirementsNecessary Special Qualifications:

Applicants for this class must:

• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
• Must agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;
• Must supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check;
• Submit to a review of their status on the Department of Health's vulnerable person's registry;
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions;
• Upon appointment, successfully complete a prescribed course of training offered by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

Job Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional case management work of routine difficulty, and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the trainee/entry level class in the DCS Case Manager job series. An employee in this class learns to perform a variety of case management duties for children under State supervision, in State custody, or at risk of State custody, and their families. This class differs from DCS Case Manager 2* in that an incumbent of the latter is fully trained and functions at the working level.

• An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to the next higher class in the series after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

Work Activities

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Learns and adheres to departmental policy.
• Learns to complete all training hours as required by the Department.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

• Learns to determine 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.
• Learns to make recommendations for reunification or termination of parental rights.
• Learns to monitor adoptive and foster families to check the compatibility of the child with the family.
• Learns to actively listen to concerns to make appropriate referrals.
• Learns to coordinate and observe visitations for children in and out-of-home placements to ensure meaningful visitations.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Learns to prepare to participate and testify in court proceedings.
• Learns to recruit adoptive/foster parents.

Getting Information:

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

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Learns to recognize and acknowledge the rights of families.

Documenting/Recording Information:

• Learns to document accurate information from an interview.
• Learns to prepare reports for court.

Analyzing Data or Information:

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

Scheduling Work and Activities:

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

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

• Learns to communicate effectively what the issues are to build solutions.
• Learns to engage with children and families to build a trustful relationship.
• Learns to encourage clients to be self-sufficient to overcome barriers and achieve permanency.
• Learns to regularly conduct home visits to assess the safety of homes.
• Learns to conduct multiple and on-going face-to-face visits with children, resource families, providers kinship homes and other relevant entities.
• Learns to arrive on time and prepared for meetings.
• Learns to respond timely, appropriately and respectfully with families, providers, and co-workers.
• Learns to respond timely to fill-up with action steps.

Assisting and Caring for Others:

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

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiation with Others:

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

Developing and Building Teams:

• Learns to convene and identify 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.
• Learns to participate as an active member of a team; support and rely on team members for additional knowledge and help when needed.

Interacting with Computers:

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

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

• Learns to review and explain relevant documents to clients.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:

• Learns to operate office machinery.
• Learns how to scan documents, operate a camera.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public:

• Learns to make referrals for service providers.
• Learns to work collaboratively with law enforcement officials and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Learns to train adoptive/foster parents and community.
• Learns to work with service providers to receive information.

Performing General Physical Activities:

• Learns to administer drug screens analysis.

Performing Administrative Activities:

• Learns to maintain and update case files.
• Learns to obtain appropriate signatures on required documents.
• Learns to answer and return all correspondence in a timely manner.

Competencies (KSA'S)

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 and office equipment

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 and Equipment Used

• Electronic devices
• Computers
• Motor vehicles