Program Manager, Social Worker

General Job Information

The Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is a cabinet-level agency within the District of Columbia government, committed to the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families residing in the District of Columbia. Charged with protecting child victims and those at risk of abuse and neglect, CFSA fosters collaborations within its administrations to deliver exceptional family-focused services to the community and its residents.

This position is located in the Office of Deputy Director for In-Home and Out-of-Home Care (OIHOHC) within the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). The primary purpose of this position is to oversee, manage, and monitor the delivery of direct professional social work services to children and families being served by CFSA in the District of Columbia, including the areas of abuse and neglect. The Social Work Program Manager directs the day-to-day planning and management functions; coordinates the program operations through subordinate supervisors and social workers to ensure quality services related to the health, safety, well-being, and permanence of children and families served by the CFSA.

The work impacts the agency’s mission of providing direct social work services which contributes to the overall efficiency of the program operations and service delivery, and to the agency’s short-and long-range social work planning and policy activities.

Duties And Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the incumbent in this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans and directs the operations of the program and monitors service delivery for staff compliance with statutory guidelines and regulations and Agency policies and procedures, to effect remediation of child abuse and neglect problems.
• Monitors program performance in all child and family wellbeing outcomes. Implements corrective actions as needed and adapts best practices for optimal performance.
• Develops teaming across supervisors in the program and across program managers in the administration.
• Manages the development and implementation of case management work plans and evaluate operations performance to ensure consistency and alignment with the program objectives.
• Guides supervisory staff in the implementation of performance standards. Oversees the development of training and best practice guidance; identifies and provides for staff training needs and opportunities.
• Meets regularly with supervisors/immediate reports to discuss program progress and shares information of mutual concern. Advises on and/or resolves operational problems; receives and discusses reports; makes assignments and solicits/ discusses staff recommendations.
• Keeps abreast of the new local and national developments in social work and child welfare policies, procedures, and practices; makes reports and recommendations; and integrates them with the current program practices, as approved.
• Oversees the coordination of program work with other public and private agencies providing legal, medical, psychiatric, placement, and other services to ensure timely and quality service delivery.
• Participates in the review of laws, regulations, and guidelines related to assigned program. Guides the implementation of new laws, regulations, and guidelines for the program.
• Drafts or revises policies and procedures based on current changes and complexity of service needs and provides clarifying instructions to implement existing policies and procedures. Issues general written instructions to meet day-to-day needs of the program.
• Performs a full range of managerial functions to include: assigns, directs, and reviews the work of subordinate staff; administers leave and attendance; evaluates staff performance; recommends hiring, promotions, status changes, awards, disciplinary actions, and terminations; plans, schedules and coordinates work operations to achieve optimal combination of employees and assignments; addresses issues or problems related to work operations; negotiates and troubleshoots employee concerns, grievances, and other matters involved in the daily administration of labor-management concerns; provides coaching; guides immediate reports in the implementation of performance standards; addresses disciplinary problems; provides governance over staff development and training plans.
• Keeps abreast of professional social work issues and techniques. Integrates the best practices and/or latest knowledge into the program operations to broaden and enhance the scope of contributions of professional and administrative staff, and the program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Professional knowledge of and expertise in applying the advanced concepts, principles, and practices of social work.
• Advanced comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply the child welfare regulations for children and their families. Knowledge of related psychiatric, psychological, and medical practices used in the evaluation and treatment of children and families.
• Comprehensive knowledge of human behavior dynamics; demonstrable sensitivity to cultural diversity, age, and religious differences affecting child rearing, family and kinship patterns, attitudes about illness, medical care, and communication patterns to supervise social workers developing case plans, providing counseling, and conducting home visits and investigations.
• Knowledge of pertinent resources, legal status, and related policies and procedures affecting children and families; knowledge of the structure, function, and mission of the Child and Family Services Agency in order to supervise social work consistent with established goals and objectives.
• Excellent oral and writing communication skills sufficient to make oral presentations and write clear and cohesive policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint). Ability to use Microsoft Office for electronic case management requirements.
  
  

Education

Must have a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, to provide direct social services to individuals and families.

Licenses and Certifications

Must be a current DC Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) to practice social work in the District of Columbia.

Required to maintain a current valid driver’s license.

Other Significant Factors

Tour of Duty: 8:15am - 4:45pm, flexible

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the collective bargaining unit.

Work Conditions/Environment: The work is performed in an office setting. The incumbent may need to be at the DCHR’s office to administer the post-employment testing requirements or travel to testing locations in rare situations

Duration of Appointment: MSS-Regular Appointment

Pay, Plan, Series & Grade: MS-0185-14

Position Designation: This position is designated as “safety” sensitive and “emergency” per DPM Chapter 4, Suitability and 12 (Essential/Emergency), respectively. The candidate/incumbent is subject to a criminal background check, traffic records check (as applicable), pre-employment drug and alcohol test, reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test, post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test, random drug and alcohol test, and return-to-duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test.

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference" will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of (7) years. Failure to do so many results in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement: The Districtof Columbia Government is an EqualOpportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Closing Statement: Official Job Offers are made by the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency.