SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM MANAGER - AFTER HOURS (2ND & 3RD SHIFT)

This position has been reposted. Applicants who previously applied remain under consideration and are not required to reapply.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hiring range for this position is $70,075.20 - $83,782.40. Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile. Pay grade for this position is 25.

General Definition of Work:

The After-Hours Program Manager performs advanced professional and managerial work providing leadership, coordination, and oversight of Child Welfare after-hours operations, including second shift, night shift, weekends, and holidays. This position ensures timely, safe, and compliant response to reports of abuse, neglect, and dependency occurring outside of standard business hours.

The After-Hours Program Manager serves as the primary management contact for after-hours decision-making, emergency response, placement coordination, and critical incident management, providing supervisory support and operational continuity to staff working non-traditional schedules.

Work Schedule:

• Primary Schedule: Monday–Friday, 2:00 PM–11:00 PM
• Additional Expectations:
• Flexibility to attend meetings outside of scheduled hours
• Leadership presence during peak after-hours periods and critical incidents
• Overnight and weekend after-hours coverage, rotating with other Program Managers

Program Oversight: The After-Hours Program Manager oversees four after-hours units:

Two Second Shift Units (12pm – 12am):

• 1 Supervisor
• 2 Second Shift Social Workers
• 12-hour schedules with rotating days and weekends

Two After-Hours Units (8pm – 8 am):

• 1 Supervisor
• 2 After-Hours Social Workers
• 12-hour schedules with rotating days and weekends

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions:

• Planning, directing, managing, and monitoring the delivery of a child welfare program and services section. Oversees the reviewing of casework, holding conferences, and assisting social workers in resolving difficult case situations. Consulting with subordinate supervisors on issues impacting program goals, objectives, policies and the delivery of services. Modifying or changing work assignments to maintain a balanced workload among subordinate staff. Ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations. Interpreting and providing guidance on regulations and procedures. Assisting with the development, monitoring and yearly evaluation of program goals, performance measures, and annual budget. Preparing and maintaining records, files, reports, and confidentiality.

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

After-Hours Program Leadership & Operations:

• Plan, direct, and oversee all after-hours Child Welfare operations, including second shift, night shift to include holidays and some weekends.
• Ensure timely response to reports requiring immediate action in accordance with state and county mandates.
• Provide management-level decision-making related to child safety, emergency removals, placement decisions, and critical incidents occurring after hours.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local child welfare laws, regulations, and policies during after-hours operations.
• Monitor after-hours workload trends, response times, and service outcomes; implement process improvements as needed.

Supervision & Staff Support:

• Provide supervisory oversight and on-call management support to after-hours Social Workers, Supervisors, and on-call staff.
• Ensure appropriate staffing coverage, supervision, and escalation procedures are in place for all after-hours shifts.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and consultation to staff responding to high-risk or complex situations.
• Participate in hiring, training, performance management, and corrective action for after-hours staff.

Crisis Response & Critical Incident Management:

• Serve as the primary management contact for after-hours emergencies, safety concerns, and critical incidents.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, courts, hospitals, placement providers, and emergency shelters during after-hours responses.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, notifications, and follow-up occur following critical incidents or emergency actions.
• Support countywide emergency response efforts, disaster operations, and emergency shelter activation as required.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Maintain effective communication between after-hours staff and daytime leadership to ensure continuity of care and case follow-up.
• Collaborate with community partners, placement providers, and contracted services to ensure after-hours coverage and responsiveness.
• Represent the department in after-hours operational discussions, workgroups, or emergency coordination efforts.

Administrative & Professional Responsibilities:

• Review after-hours incidents, referrals, and case actions for quality, compliance, and consistency.
• Prepare and maintain accurate documentation, reports, and records while ensuring confidentiality.
• Identify training needs and recommend policy or procedural updates related to after-hours operations.
• Perform related duties as assigned, including direct response support when operationally necessary.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of child welfare practices, CPS investigations, and after-hours response protocols.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local child welfare laws, regulations, and policy requirements.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to make sound, time-sensitive decisions in high-risk situations.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and support staff working in fast-paced, high-stress environments.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to analyze operational data and identify trends impacting after-hours services.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, law enforcement, courts, and community partners.
• Ability to remain calm, decisive, and trauma-informed during emergencies and critical incidents.

Minimum Education / Experience requirements

Education and Experience:

Requires one of the following combinations:

• Master’s degree in Social Work and three (3) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years in a supervisory or lead role; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and four (4) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years in a supervisory or lead role; OR
• Master’s degree in a counseling field and four (4) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years in a supervisory or lead role; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and five (5) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years in a supervisory or lead role; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in any field and six (6) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Directly related experience includes child welfare, CPS investigations, case management, crisis intervention, placement coordination, and after-hours response.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the North Carolina social work pre-service training or collaborative.

Some county job postings indicate that you can qualify with an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If this language is included in the job description, it means you may qualify through either education, your years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.

If you have indicated that you have earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from a technical school, college, or university, please note that Cabarrus County will verify your educational credentials. Official transcripts must clearly show the specific credential awarded to ensure accurate validation.

Special Requirements:

• Valid North Carolina driver’s license (or ability to obtain).
• Position is designated as safety-sensitive under the County Drug-Free Workplace Policy.
• Child Welfare position: must complete NC Child Welfare Pre-Service Training and required in-service trainings.
• Position requires regular after-hours, overnight, weekend, and holiday work, including on-call management responsibility.
• Must meet required response timeframes for reports and emergencies according to state policy.