Family Services Program Manager I

Catawba County Social Services is seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to serve as the Family Services Program Manager I. This leadership position provides administrative oversight of Emergency Shelter Operations, Early Childhood Support Team (ECST) services, and outpatient therapists. The position is responsible for ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed service delivery to children in foster care, including those experiencing placement disruptions or in crisis.

This role includes leadership in the development and operation of a county-run emergency foster care shelter and requires participation in a 24/7 on-call rotation to support shelter operations and permanency planning services. This is a key leadership role requiring strong clinical judgment, operational expertise, and the ability to lead across multidisciplinary teams.

• Provide administrative oversight of Emergency Shelter Operations, including staffing, scheduling, safety protocols, and daily operations
• Provide administrative oversight to the Early Childhood Support Team
• Lead the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines for shelter and clinical programs
• Oversee the planning, reopening, and ongoing management of a county-operated emergency crisis foster home
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal child welfare and mental health regulations, policies, and standards
• Provide oversight and direction to outpatient therapy staff, including review of assessments, documentation, and service delivery to ensure adherence to best practices and regulatory requirements
• Monitor program performance, service quality, and clinical outcomes; implement improvements as needed
• Supervise professional and paraprofessional staff, including hiring, training, coaching, evaluation, and disciplinary actions
• Provide consultation and support to staff on complex cases, crisis situations, and placement challenges
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule, providing after-hours support for shelter operations and permanency planning services
• Collaborate with internal leadership and external partners (e.g., managed care organizations, juvenile justice, courts, and service providers) to ensure coordinated service delivery
• Represent the agency in meetings, workgroups, and initiatives at the local, regional, and state levels
• Monitor funding streams, support fiscal accountability, and ensure compliance with grant and program requirements
• Support staff development through training, mentoring, and implementation of evidence-based practices such as Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)

• Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and 3 years of social work experience, including 1 year in a supervisory or other advanced leadership role; OR
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and 4 years of social work experience, including 1 year in a supervisory or other advanced leadership role; OR
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field and 5 years of social work experience, including 1 year in a supervisory or other advanced leadership role; OR
• Bachelor's degree in a non-human services field and 6 years of social work experience, including 1 year in a supervisory or other advanced leadership role

• Valid driver’s license with safe driving record (Driving is a regular function of this position and may include transporting children)
• Experience in child welfare, foster care, or permanency planning services
• Clinical experience strongly preferred; clinical licensure preferred but not required
• Experience managing crisis services, residential programs, or shelter operations preferred
• Ability to participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Strong knowledge of North Carolina child welfare policies, practices, and regulatory requirements
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to make sound, high-stakes decisions in crisis and high-pressure situations
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate across agency and community partners
• Experience using data to inform decision-making, monitor outcomes, and drive program improvements