CWS Case Manager - Out of Home Abuse and Neglect / 61014308

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful work in the community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of children, families, and vulnerable adults? Then the South Carolina Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you.

Job Duties:

• The CWS Case Manager - OHAN conducts statewide investigations of allegations of child abuse and neglect in residential institutions, foster homes, residential treatment facilities and child care facilities.  

• In accordance with DSS Policy, Agency Mission and GPS Practice Model. Investigators will investigate reports of alleged child abuse or neglect in institutions, foster homes facilities licensed by and/or operating in the state, residential treatment facilities, intermediate care facilities licensed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control or operated by the Department of Mental Health and child care facilities.

• Maintains accurate, thorough, and timely documentation of all case information, observations, and investigative findings in both the case file and the CAPSS data system. Documentation must meet agency quality standards and support decision-making, service planning, and legal requirements. Completes all investigation activities and required documentation within mandated state and federal timelines, ensuring compliance with statutory deadlines and internal policy expectations.

• Engages in scheduled case staffing with licensing agencies, contract management units, service providers, and other key stakeholders to review investigative progress, evaluate safety concerns, clarify roles, and ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements. 

• Plans and coordinates with the Office of General Counsel to prepare for appeal hearings and court actions, including those scheduled through the Department of Social Services, ensuring all documentation, evidence, and case materials are complete, accurate, and ready for legal review. 

• Provides 24-hour on-call coverage, seven days a week, on a rotating schedule, responding promptly to emergencies, after-hours inquiries, and time-sensitive case needs to ensure continuous service availability. 

• Maintains child welfare certification. Completes 20 hours of training yearly to include certifications that are required yearly is encouraged to attend and participate to assist with skills and development growth.

• 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. 

• Other assigned duties. 

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 and have access to and be able to operate a motor vehicle. Individuals must comply with necessary field work assignments.

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.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

*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 team leaders (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 $46,635 during initial certification, depending on education level and degree type, with up-front starting salary supplements of 2.5% ($47,802) and 5% ($48,966) for candidates holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, and 10% ($51,298) for team leaders (supervisors), respectively. 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 $53,899, $55,248 or $56,508 depending on degree type), and $59,287 for team leaders (supervisors) 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 2.5% 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. 

Salary : $46,635 - $54,162