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Form of workJob Responsibilities Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!
Job Duties: The CWS Case Manager performs specialized case management in the areas of child welfare services including "but not limited" to the areas of assessment for children and families. Primary focus of Investigation/Assessment; to plan and execute case work activities related to assessment and investigation of child protective services reports. Assess risk and manage safety threats to children to work toward positive permanency and well-being outcomes.
Gather and assess information; monitor behavior change; conduct interviews; engage children and families in development of safety plans; access services; and ensure needed services are linked to care providers. Thoroughly and accurately document all information (CFASP, collaterals, progress notes etc.), decisions, and actions taken in CAPSS and compile in case file. Conduct formal and informal assessments and utilize critical thinking skills to determine whether there are safety threats and/or the level of risk and whether the report constitutes child abuse or neglect under South Carolina Law.
Identify child and family needs and refer families to appropriate services and resources. Prepare court documents; collaborate with Guardians as litem, law enforcement and service providers; testify in court; and make required home visits/face to face contact with children, families and providers. Participate in supervision and legal consults.
Maintains client and family rights to confidentiality in compliance with State and Federal laws. Adopts, implements and promotes agency values and philosophy in the course of employment with the agency. Maintain CPS certification.
Attend APS certification training. Attend all recommended supervisory/leadership trainings and meetings. Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duties/services as directed.
Minimum and Additional Requirements Agency Requirements: A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or Social Science. A Bachelor's Degree in any other field and one (1) year experience in a related field. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a Social Work or Social Welfare program accredited by the Council on accredited institution, plus experience as a professional Social Worker.
Preferred Qualifications 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, be able and willing to drive and to transport children and adults; must be able to lift children and to interact with children and adults in a positive manner. May require overtime hours to include weekends and work during natural disaster or deployment of staff in State issued emergency responses.
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: Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year 15 days sick leave per year 13 paid holidays Paid Parental Leave State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs DIVISION: CWS - Investigations / Horry County Additional Comments *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 $43,700 during initial certification, depending on education level and degree type, with up-front starting salary supplements of 2.5% ($44,792) and 5% ($45,885) for candidates holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, and 10% ($48,070) 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 $50,225, $51,510 or $52,769 depending on degree type), and $55,280 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.
