Social Work Program Administrator I

Franklin County Department of Social Services protects children and vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect, strengthens and preserves families, and promotes economic stability while encouraging personal responsibility. The department is divided into two divisions and provides economic, child welfare, adult and child support services. Franklin County Department of Social Services strives to prevent future abuse or neglect and to prevent unnecessary removal of children or vulnerable adults from their families; to achieve permanency for children or vulnerable adults who can no longer live safely at home with their families through adoption, kinship care, guardianship, or other appropriate means; and to promote and support self ­sufficiency and a high level of functioning for the families of Franklin County.

This position is responsible for directing the programs within the Child Welfare & Adult and Family Services Division and managing general agency duties and grants. This includes program planning and evaluation for adult and children's services, developing and managing the budget for the division, and acting on management and human resources matters in the Director's absence. The Child Welfare & Adult and Family Services division is comprised of the following service areas: child protective services, foster care and adoptions, Links (independent living services for youth), adult protective services, adult in home and placement services, guardianship, adult care home monitoring, and foster home licensing and training. This position includes planning, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of all activities and overseeing all professional social work services within the agency. Franklin County DSS strives to be a leader in the field in providing effective and meaningful services to children, adults and families and this position is responsible for developing a program to meet this goal. The Program Administrator represents the agency and social work programs on multiple local and state committees and works to prioritize the needs of the community and local agencies in the provision of services. Work is performed independently and under the Director's supervision. This person may also act on behalf of the Director in his or her absence.

Planning 25%  The Program Administrator evaluates information provided from supervisory staff to develop justification to the director regarding utilization of staff assignments, job functions, and policies to maximize quality of services and efficiency. This position develops and oversees short and long term plans for services with a focus on the Child Welfare and Adult and Family Services Division based on local, state, and federal policies as well as the current models for best practice. Furthermore, the Program Administrator coordinates delivery of services with the Economic Services Program Administrator to ensure appropriate allocation of resources.

Organizing and Directing 25% Consult with supervisory staff to recognize and address organizational and work flow problems in conjunction with the Director regarding reallocation of staff resources when warranted. This position develops plans for organizational shifts in response to changes in local, state and federal policies. This position works with the Staff Development Coordinator to oversee grant funding for the agency. 

Budgeting 20% This position gathers and analyzes information obtained from supervisory staff and local and state reports to develop detailed budget recommendations to the Director for approval. Involves work with the Director in the presentation of this information to local government. This position also monitors line item expenditures to ensure that funds are utilized appropriately and regularly analyzes and identifies funding opportunities. This position is also responsible for contract monitoring for the Child Welfare and Adult and Family Services Division. 

Training 5% The Program Administrator assesses agency training needs and develops plans to ensure that all staff (i.e. supervisors, social work staff, and administrative staff) has access to appropriate training opportunities. This not only includes state and regionally provided training but also developing in house training opportunities utilizing existing staff and outside experts. Also develops and oversees an orientation program to adequately prepare staff for job duties and consults with supervisors to strengthen leadership and management skills. 

Setting Work Standards 10% Collaborates with local agencies and federal and state partners in the development of agency and state policies to ensure that all work is provided in compliance with these standards/requirements. This position plans for policy changes by developing procedures to ensure that social work and supervisory staff are adequately prepared. Actively participates in committees on state and local level where policies and reviewed and revised. Works with Director, and other supervisory staff to develop and oversee agency administrative and operational standards.

Program Evaluation 10% The Program Administrator meets regularly with agency supervisory staff as well as local and state agencies to review agency standards regarding policy implementation to ensure quality measures are met. Analyzes relevant reporting tools (e.g. state reports, data warehouse, etc) and utilizes data collected to track progress toward organizational goals and state and federal mandates. Collaborates with Director and Supervisors to evaluate program effectiveness. Develops plans for new programs and initiates changes required for program improvement. 

Counseling and Disciplining 3% This position develops and monitors an evaluation process for administrative, social work and supervisory staff. This includes a provisional and annual evaluation program and a system for staff to receive regular feedback regarding service provision to clients. Consult with supervisors when performance issues arise to develop plans for correction and approve disciplinary actions when warranted. Makes recommendations to the agency director and disciplines staff in the absence of the Director with Director's designation.

Performing Other Personnel Functions 2% Directs the recruitment, selection and evaluation of professional social work staff, supervisors, and administrative personnel. Makes recommendations to the Director who has the final authority on hiring and dismissal of employees. Has authority when designated to act for the Director in personnel and management team matters in the Director's absence. This individual has all delegated responsibilities of Director in Director's absence as appointed.

Accuracy Required in Work: All areas of work require precision and accuracy. There is little room for error in planning and monitoring the budget, assuring agency compliance with a myriad of federal, state, and county policies and procedures that govern the array of programs provided by the agency, or in decision making regarding child abuse/neglect or adult abuse/neglect case.

Consequence of Error: There can be very serious and permanent consequences of making errors in this position. Death, disability, or emotional damage can occur for a child or adult who is being abused or neglected and he does not receive timely or appropriate intervention by the agency. Death or serious harm can occur for agency social workers if adequate safety precautions are not taken in dangerous abuse/neglect/domestic violence cases. Errors in monitoring and managing the budget can result in significant loss of federal and state revenues that are absolutely necessary in order to operate agency programs.

Thorough knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and applications to casework and community problems. Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies which govern social services programs. Considerable knowledge of the principles and techniques of public administration, including personnel administration, budgeting and office management. Skill in directing a staff of staff of social workers and supervisors and related professionals and student engaged in a variety of services.

Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee:

Federal laws and regulations; N.C General Statutes and APA rules; numerous policy manuals issued by several Divisions of the NC DHHS; Fiscal Manual issued by NC DHHS; Personnel manual; FLSA; ADA; EEO; OSHA; and more.

Supervision Received by Employee: This position reports directly to the agency Director. Supervision is general in nature and usually provided in individual conferences. Work is largely independent.

Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts: Regular and on-going contact with county DSS board, county management staff, program administrators in other counties, community leaders, attorneys, state office staff, local agency administrators, court personnel, and the public.

 Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulative Skills: Strong visual acuity will be required to perform most duties required by this position. Intense mental concentration is required for the day-to-day operation of the Division programs. Intense mental concentration will be required for planning, developing, and implementing the wide array of programs operated by the Division. This will include the major decisions that affect client and employee safety, short-term solutions to client problems, long-term solutions to client well-being, the confidential and sensitive nature of client information and situations, and handling clients who are upset and hostile towards the agency. Intense mental concentration will be needed to assure that supervisory staff is complying with all applicable federal and state laws and rules that govern the programs operated by the Division. Strong manipulative skills are needed for the operation of equipment that will be used by the position, particularly the computer equipment.

Safety for Others: This position is responsible for helping to ensure that the safety of children and vulnerable adults who are being abused or neglected by their caretakers and the safety of employees that intervene in these situations are addressed. This will be done by complying with state and federal program polices that address client safety, by training employees to take safety measures to protect themselves, by developing written agreements with local law enforcement agencies to provide protection for clients and employees when needed, including after hours. 

Dynamics of Work: The work of the agency is planned, carried out, monitored, and evaluated in a setting where policies are frequently modified. The programs are governed by multiple and complex policies and procedures that require on-going training of staff and strict adherence to the rules as they are subject to close public scrutiny. Staff vacancies and turnover in Child Protective Services are ever-present factors that are difficult to control. Client and employee safety issues - including death and maiming injuries - are on-going factors in the work of the Division. Life-altering decisions for client families are recommended and carried out by Division staff. The work that occurs within this Division is demanding and highly stressful. Each day presents challenges that must be met in effective ways and with a high level of energy, know-how, and positive effort.