POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide direction and oversight of assigned In-Home Protective Services Units of Berks County Children & Youth Services, including the Quality Assurance/Managed Care section. The incumbent provides leadership and technical assistance to each supervisor under his/her responsibility, resolves conflicts, and renders decisions on case issues as required. The manager provides direct supervision to unit personnel in the absence of a unit supervisor.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Maintain oversight of Purchased In-Home Services Contracts. Annually manage contract renewals, negotiate services to be provided and their respective fees, modify existing contracts, and make necessary revisions to the basic In-Home Service Provider Agreement.
• Coordinate and/or directly participate in the development and implementation of service delivery programs.
• Track In-Home statistics including, but not limited to, caseloads of each staff by unit, length of service, case closures, overall workflow, In-Home Case Reviews, aftercares, dependent children, and Family Group Decision Making conferences.
• Coordinate the preparation of the Annual Plan and Budget and Plan with the Juvenile Probation Office and Court Administration; prepare and edit the narrative section; coordinate completion of the fiscal forms. Participate in special grant proposal applications as assigned.
• Work cooperatively with administrative/management staff to provide and gather statistical information, generate reports, and implement policies and procedures and agency automation plans.
• Provide administrative oversight for In-Home case reviews and assure that reviews are routinely scheduled and conducted within six months of acceptance for service.
• Develop policies and procedures for the agency and/or for In-Home Services Unit as necessary or as assigned by the Administrator.
• Perform public relations activities, such as public speaking, training (including intra-agency) and representing the agency at various community meetings, as assigned.
• Conduct interviews of new employees.
• Participate in Administrative Petition Reviews.
• Participate in CASSP meetings when necessary.
• Back-up liaison between agency and competency-based training program.
• Develop policies and procedures for the agency and/or for In-Home Services Unit as necessary or as assigned by the Administrator.
• Participate in Staff Recruitment and Retention committee meetings.
• Participate in CYS Advisory Meetings.
• Provide direct oversight of In-Home Caseworkers and Case aides.
• Review and approve monthly case aide expense reports. Review case aide performance evaluations and resolve case aide job performance concerns.
• Serves as agency member to the Integrated Children’s Services Plan (ICSP) team and assists with preparation of the annual ICSP submission to the State.
• Provide back-up to other positions, as needed.
• Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Occasionally travel on an as-needed basis for training and to complete assigned duties.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Social Welfare, Public Administration, or closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of social services or child welfare, with administrative or supervisory experience in a children and youth social services program agency.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• State police, FBI and ChildLine clearance.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of state, federal, and county standards, regulations and policies governing the children and youth social services program.
• Knowledge of the principles of program interpretation and implementation.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of administration, supervision, and community organization.
• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources available to meet problems effecting children and youth.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior with special emphasis on children and youth needs and behavior patterns.
• Knowledge of the policies and operations of Juvenile Courts and probation and parole agencies.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of grant writing and budgeting.
• Knowledge of current case management and social work principles, practices and methodology.
• Ability to exercise judgment in interpreting and implementing state, federal, county and departmental program policies and procedures, including Child Protective Services Law, Juvenile Act.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct a large children and youth agency unit and evaluate staff and program effectiveness.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and evaluate case records or case presentations to recommend sound courses of action.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds a distance of fifteen feet or less.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Normal office environment

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.