Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CHILD AND FAMILY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, WILLIAMSON COUNTY
Mid Cumberland Regional Operations: Volunteer; Kinship; Placement

Minimum QualificationsEducation and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and experience equivalent to one year of full-time professional work providing child welfare services including, but not limited to, one or a combination of the following: social, psychological, or correctional counseling or case management; volunteer services coordination for a children's service program; and/or juvenile classification coordination.

Other Requirements

Necessary 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.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Job OverviewSummary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional case management work of routine difficulty, and performs related work as required.
Distinguishing Features: This is the working level class in the Children's Services Case Manager job series. An employee in this class is responsible for providing case management services to children under the State's supervision, in State custody, or at risk of State custody, and their families. This class differs from DCS Case Manager 1* in that an incumbent of the latter performs entry level case management work. This class differs from DCS Case Manager 3 in that an incumbent of the latter is responsible for training and leading other case managers.

Work Activities

Documenting/Recording Information:

• Documents Accurate Information From An Interview.
• Prepares Reports For Court.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Prepares to participate and testify in court proceedings.
• Recruits adoptive/foster parents.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiation with Others:

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

Getting Information:

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

Scheduling Work and Activities:

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

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

• Determines 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.
• Makes recommendations for reunification or termination of parental rights.
• Monitors adoptive and foster families to check the compatibility of the child with the family.
• Actively listens to concerns to make appropriate referrals.
• Coordinates and observes visitations for children in and out-of-home placements to ensure meaningful visitations.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Recognizes and acknowledges the rights of families.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Adheres to departmental policy.
• Completes all training hours as required by the Department.

Analyzing Data or Information:

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

Assisting and Caring for Others:

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

Developing and Building Teams:

• Convenes and identifies 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.
• Participates as an active member of a team; support and rely on team members for additional knowledge and help when needed.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

• Reviews and explains relevant documents to clients.

Interacting with Computers:

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

Performing General Physical Activities:

• Administers drug screens analysis.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public:

• Makes referrals for service providers.
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement officials and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Trains adoptive/foster parents and community.
• Works with service providers to receive information.

Performing Administrative Activities:

• Maintains and update case files.
• Obtains appropriate signatures on required documents.
• Answers and returns all correspondence in a timely manner.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

• Communicates effectively what the issues are to build solutions.
• Engages with children and families to build a trustful relationship.
• Encourages clients to be self-sufficient to overcome barriers and achieve permanency.
• Conducts regular home visits to assess the safety of homes.
• Conducts multiple and on-going face-to-face visits with children, resource families, providers kinship homes and other relevant entities.
• Arrives on time and prepared for meetings.
• Responds timely, appropriately and respectfully with families, providers, and co-workers.
• Responds timely to follow-ups with action steps.

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 program and office equipment used on a daily basis

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