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Job Opportunities in Low Country Region

Multiple positions available in the Low Country Region (Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg).

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:

CWS Case Manager TSS performs case management duties for current and former foster young adults (ages 18-21) in the Extension of Foster Care (EFC) Program under the Transition Services and Support Division of Child Welfare Operations in accordance with DSS Policy, Mission and GPS Practice Model. TSS utilizes adolescent and emerging adult development teaming approach, the impact of trauma, and methods/strategies to support young adult's capacity to thrive and to provide a continuum of care in the areas of life skills development, self-sufficiency, stability, safety, permanency, and well-being. CWS Case Manager TSS will serve as a Coach, Networker, and Advocate for young adults. CWS Case Manager TSS will partner with young adults utilizing an Adolescent Teaming Approach where young people are centered and supported as they prepare for their transition to adulthood. Performs on-call duties.

• Performs case management (ie, contacts, case planning, service navigation) for young adults to ensure continued growth, stability & safety, permanency, and well-being. Authentically engages with empathy and respect; and provide ongoing assistance, training and transition support to young adults that choose to enroll in EFC. Performs high level engagement and maintains minimum of monthly face to face contact, frequent virtual contact, and adjust accordingly based on the needs of the young adult. Ensures all case management activities are documented in CAPSS system according to quality standards and time frames established by DSS policy. Performs on-call duties.
• Completes, reviews, and updates all assessment tools, including the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) according to time frames established by DSS Policy. Utilizes the CANS to collaboratively develop an individualized and strength based transition plan in partnership with the young adult and make timely service referrals. Partners effectively with young people to support the transition from foster care to adulthood in developmentally appropriate and identifying affirming ways. Provides a process that integrates the young adults' interests and ensures their goals are prioritized. Provides learning opportunities and experiences, and encourage the young adult to reflect, review, adapt and readjust based on their approach and outcomes towards self sufficiency progression.
• Provides Service Navigation by timely identifying essential community resources, assist with referral or application processes. Regularly assesses appropriate support resources based on the young adult's assessment, plan, and needs. Follows up with received services, and ensure connection is solidified to those services and community network.
• Utilizes family search and engagement strategies and tools to help the young adult navigate building lifelong connections to family and community. Employs tools and strategies focused on early and ongoing identification and engagement of relationships that matter to the young adult. Makes concerted efforts to locate and engage absent parents, relatives and fictive kin who can serve as resources for safety planning, placement, and support.
• Ensures that the young adult and other team members are prepared for the Young Adult Transitional Teaming (YATT) to support the continued development or update of a Transition and Permanency Plan to assess progress toward goals and shall present next steps and recommendations to all teaming participants and the Family Court.
• Collaborates closely with legal to to ensure federal compliance of EFC enrollment and Title IVE eligibility, six month administrative case reviews, and annual permanency hearings. Adheres to court orders, submits court packets timely, prepares young adult for court participation, and participates in legal proceedings.
• Maintains child welfare certification. Completes 20 hours of training yearly to include certifications that are required yearly. Completes all required trainings assigned by HR, SD&T, and supervisor, including adolescent training track for professional development of this role.
• Maintains an active routine of self-care and pursues support when necessary to minimize the threat of secondary trauma to physical and mental health.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A Master's Degree and one (1) year of professional experience in social services programs, correctional, education, business administration, general administrative, management, or other relevant program experience. A Bachelor's Degree and three (3) years of professional experience in social services programs, correctional, education, business administration, general administrative, management, or other relevant program experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Prefer child welfare experience.

Additional Comments

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 have a valid driver's license, with access to a personal vehicle, and be able and willing to drive and transport children and adults. Must be able to lift children and to interact with adults and children in a positive and supportive demeanor. Must have the ability to cope with stressful work and life-threatening situations. 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 Program

DIVISION: Child Health and Well-Being / Statewide

*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 $45,721 during initial certification, depending on education level and degree type, with up-front starting salary supplements of 2.5% ($46,865) and 5% ($48,006) for candidates holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, and 10% ($50,293) 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 $52,843, $ 54,165 or $55,400 depending on degree type), and $58,125 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.