Human Services Manager

Human Services Manager: Provides supervision & support to child welfare staff. Manages case aides & the facilitated family time program & works closely with community partners. May provide supervision in adult protection. Must have experience in responding to crises, conflict resolution, monitoring case management tasks & documentation & developing & implementing procedures, rules & policies. Knowledge of Human Services computer systems & program rules & regs preferred. Flexibility, ability to multi-task & computer skills are required. Provides rotating paid on-call support after hours & on weekends. Certification as a CO Child Welfare Caseworker & Supervisor preferred. BA degree in human behavioral science & 3 yrs of exper req’d. Full Time with medical, dental, vision, retirement, 38+ paid vacation/holiday days, 13+ paid sick days & paid parental leave benefits $69,014.40-86,278.40/year depending on experience. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CLASS TITLE: HUMAN SERVICES MANAGER

GRADE: G13

DEPARTMENT: HUMAN SERVICES

FLSA STATUS: E

REPORTS TO: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR of HUMAN SERVICES

DATE: 3/13

JOB SUMMARY: Supervises and provides leadership for a staff of paraprofessionals and professionals with responsibility for providing a variety of human services programs for La Plata and San Juan counties; plans the work of the unit; directs and instructs staff members in work processes; provides counseling and/or therapy to individuals and families; and participates in community service boards.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible. Carries out supervisory responsibility in accordance with policies, procedures and applicable laws including: interviewing, hiring and training, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Plans long-range goals and objectives for the unit. Provides information, advice, feedback, or assistance to others within the department to refine work outputs or resolve problems. Organizes and schedules work flow, including maintaining coverage during staff vacancies or leaves. Reviews paperwork completed by staff for approval; checks work for accuracy; returns questionable documents to staff members for corrections. Ensures that work is in compliance with all rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Keeps current on new federal, state and county policies and procedures; develops and implements changes as needed to ensure unit is following most recent requirements. Schedules meetings with other department members to exchange information on issues of concern to the entire department, including new agency rules and regulations, safety issues or problem cases. Authorizes court-related actions to ensure safety of clients, including the need to seek temporary protective custody of children, file dependency and neglect actions on behalf of children, or seek conservatorship or guardianship of at-risk adults. Authorizes expenditures of funds for services that meet a client’s needs; explores alternatives with subordinate personnel; and directs employees to seek other financial assistance if appropriate. Participates in meetings and/or serves on boards of other agencies; networks with community partners and resources to ensure appropriate use of community resources; participates in development of new methods/programs for community agencies to assist clients. Conducts meetings with clients to assess needs, develop treatment plans, monitor progress toward goals and determine current status of clients; and schedules and coordinates case management meetings between family members, other service agencies or facilities as needed. Prepares for and gives expert testimony in court as required. Provides family therapy, couples counseling and individual psychotherapy; provides treatment planning and goal setting; makes necessary emergency intervention recommendations; provides a safe therapeutic setting to address issues that are disruptive to family functioning and which place children at risk of out of home placement; evaluates and monitors family progress and safety issues during treatment. Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development through required continued education and by attending seminars and training programs as well as reading trade and professional journals and publications. Serves as Assistant Director in his/her absence; serves as other Human Services Managers in their absence. Performs other related duties as assigned. Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED: Computer(s) General Office Equipment Calculator Copier Printer Motor Vehicle

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in a human behavioral sciences field (no substitution ) and three years professional casework experience at the journey level obtained after the degree; or, A Master’s degree or higher in social work or human behavioral sciences field and two years professional casework experience at the journey level obtained before or after the advanced degree. In order to meet the minimum educational requirements of a human behavioral science degree, the applicant must have a degree with major course work (equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours) in either development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures or therapeutic techniques such as social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and child development. A newly hired Human Services Manager is required to complete the Colorado Department of Human Services training requirements for child welfare supervisors within the mandated timeframes to be eligible for continued employment. Any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid State Driver’s License.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: All knowledge and skills may not be required of all incumbents.

Knowledge of: Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation. Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision. Thorough, advanced knowledge of established theories, principles and concepts of social casework practice. Addiction, domestic/family violence, developmental disabilities and mental health issues and signs/symptoms. Child and adult protection issues, investigative procedures and laws. Therapeutic theories and practices relating to families and children. Child development, life stage development, attachment and bonding theories and appropriate parenting practices. Policies, procedures, philosophies, rules, ethics and regulations governing the services to clients. Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations. Community resources available to assist clients. Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques. Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation. All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

Skill in: Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines. Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials. Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction. Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols. Using a computer terminal to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information. Using mathematics. Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff. Selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development. Using forensic interviewing techniques. Assessing evidence, to include determining if a client=s injuries are consistent with reported abuse. Implementing formal mediations. Organizing and facilitating family group decision making meetings.

Ability to: Ability to respond to each client and staff member with empathy and respect. Ability to deescalate chaotic and/or potentially violent situations and set limits when appropriate. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals. Ability to make critical decisions in high risk and high stress situations. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to analyze complex problems and develop appropriate solutions. Ability to speak effectively before groups and respond to questions.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands: Work is performed in a normal office environment with little exposure to outdoor temperatures or dirt and dust. The incumbent's working conditions are moderately quiet. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office and setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time, to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; to verbally communicate to exchange information. While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.