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Job Description
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General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions
Under general supervision, this position performs professional and supervisory duties in implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods and skills administered by Social Services and providing administrative oversight of professional staff in the CPS unit. Reports to the Chief of Services or the Assistant Director of Social Services.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Provides day-to-day guidance and direction to family services workers and supervisors on case related issues, policies and procedures, and agency initiatives; ensures acceptable levels of quality and quantity in the delivery of services; plans caseloads, assigns cases and reviews case records and reviews and signs off on service plans, case assessments, and other reports which require supervisory review.
Responsible for the effective supervision and administration to include monitoring expenditures, staff development and training, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities. Evaluates resource needs and manages the effective deployment of resources.
Educates the professional community and the general public on agency programs and policies; prepares statistical reports; maintains records. Approves and monitors program expenditures; approves credit authorization and purchase orders for services for customers. Prepares and monitors daily field and attendance logs; remains knowledgeable of program area and subordinate's caseload; assumes responsibilities in his/her absence.
Reviews individual cases; assists with unusual or difficult cases; assists Family Services Specialists and Family Services Supervisor with Court preparation. Interviews applicants; evaluates effectiveness of programs; makes changes as necessary. Researches and evaluates community resources; consults with various specialists from other agencies.
Performs emergency operations activities to include but not limited to emergency shelter operations and disaster relief activities as necessary. Participates in Food Commodity Distribution as necessary. Assumes responsibility for the accuracy of CPS investigations.
Serves as Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) representative and Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT) evaluator; performs VEMAT trainings. Participates in civil defense and community activities. Performs on-call coverage to workers while agency is closed.
Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of Job: Has considerable knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing Social Services programs. Has considerable knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of individualized service plans as administered through Social Services. Has considerable knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application to individualized service plans. Has considerable knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with programs. Has general knowledge of other programs administered through Social Services and through community human services agencies or volunteer groups. Has general knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community. Is able to supervise, provide guidance and assist other employees. Is able to compile technical information from a variety of sources and prepare clear and concise reports. Is able to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations. Is able to communicate effectively in oral and written form. Is able to explain rules, regulations, and policies of the service plans in terms understood by applicants and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy, and discretion in contact with program applicants and clients, and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all co-workers and the general public.
Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."
Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human, and conceptual areas.
Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with minimum supervision and instruction.
Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations, and alternatives before exercising judgment.
Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc.
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisor for mutual and city benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all city employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, to project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and persons to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, program clients, supervisors, professionals, and the general public.
Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions, and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for appointments, meetings, and deadlines.
Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.
Planning: Plans, directs, and uses information effectively in order to enhance activities and production of the department. Knows and understands the expectations of the city regarding the activities of the division and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means, and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and the division. Within the constraints of city policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving division and departmental objectives. Organizes, arranges, and allocates manpower, financial, and other designated resources in an efficient and effective way so as to achieve the goals and objectives of the division and department.
Organizing: Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members know what results areexpectedofthemandthattheyareregularlyandappropriatelyinformedofallcityanddepartmentmattersaffecting them and/or of concern to them.
Staffing: Works with other department officials and management to select and recommend employment of personnel for the division who are qualified both technically and philosophically to meet the needs of the division and the department. Personally directs the development and training of division personnel in order to ensure that they are properly inducted, oriented, and trained.
Leading: Provides a work environment that encourages clear and open communication. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance, yet does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of department goals and objectives.
Controlling: Provides a work environment which is orderly and controlled. Coordinates, audits, and controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits, and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city standards, methods, and procedures.
Delegating: Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate in order to meet division goals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job, and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations.
Decision Making: Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing sound decisions affecting the division. When a particular policy, procedure, or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.
Creativity: Regularlyseeksnewandimprovedmethodologies,policies,andproceduresforenhancingtheeffectiveness of the division and the department. Employs imagination and creativity in the application of duties and responsibilities. Is not adverse to change.
Human Relations: Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members. Listens to and considers suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.
Policy Implementation: Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city policies regarding the division, department, and city function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.
Policy Formulation: Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the city. Continually reviews division policies to ensure that any changes in city philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated. Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and department morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance the same.
Education, Experience & Special Requirements
Bachelor's degree in a human services field (Social Work, Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, Family and Child Development, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Gerontology or Guidance and Counseling) and significant years of experience in Social Services or a Child Welfare Unit or Bachelor’s degree in any field and significant years of experience in human services or case management work, plus considerable years of responsible supervisory experience. Master of Social Work (MSW) and previous Child Protective Services (CPS) experience preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history and sex offender registry check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint. A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Required to work on-call on a 24-hour rotational basis to respond to emergencies and routine situations. Completion of mandatory child protective services and adult protective services training is required.
In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.
Physical Demands
Physical Requirements- Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include computer, adding machine, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, telephones, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time.
Data Conception- Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communications- Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and/or directions to subordinates or assistants.
Language Ability- Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, policy manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
Intelligence- Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatical form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Verbal Aptitude- Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages, including legal, medical and insurance terminology.
Numerical Aptitude- Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs.
Form/Spatial Aptitude- Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Motor Coordination- Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment.
Manual Dexterity- Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination- Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament- Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress.
Physical Communication- Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS
The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.
