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Job Description
SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGER
The Social Services Manager will report directly to the Executive Director while also having direct management and supervision responsibilities for agency social services employees and any other individuals providing these services in conjunction with international, domestic, embryo adoptions, or foster care. Duties General Assist the Executive Director in maintaining the Social Services regulations for current agency programs and developing regulations for new programs. Review and Accept or Deny Applications for a Home Study. Conduct bi-monthly Social Services meetings for Social Services staff and Home Study Providers, providing any updated information relevant to the services provided. Work closely with the Executive Director to resolve ethical dilemmas, assist families in crisis, investigate client concerns and placement issues, resolve complaints, and handle issues within the office. In accord with the Executive Director, will handle the correspondence, whether by phone, email or written hard copy with all partner agencies and/or organizations offering adoption related social services. Any such correspondence received by the Executive Director will be forwarded to the Social Services Manager. Maintain all interagency agreements and supporting documents for home studies and exempt provider agreements needed for international programs conducted out of the SSMs local office where Nightlight is not serving as the primary provider, coordinate with the Vice President of Social Services for all Supervised Provider agreements, where Nightlight is serving as the primary provider. Timely and accurately record into Agency database (SAM) required information, including but not limited to; correspondence, notes, pertinent dates, etc. Keep applicant resumes on file and respond to internship inquiries/job inquiries; participate in interviewing process for interns and some applicants. Review Personnel files (prior to state site visit) to ensure training is documented and performance evaluations are filed. All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and executive management at Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Review client surveys and implement improvements as needed. Supervise local office interns. Home Studies / Home Study Review Maintain updated checklists for Home Study requirements pursuant to State and Federal (Hague) Regulations, in accordance with agency standardized checklists and processes. Handle concerns and issues that arise with home study clients. Ensure home study files are complete and accurate for annual state licensing inspection. Oversee the local office home study program as defined by the agency's policies and procedures. Coordinate out-of-state home studies/updates with other Nightlight offices and other out-of-state agencies Ensure they are in receipt of home study guidelines checklist Aware of PAR/PPR schedules Cognizant of parent education requirements Assist the Home Study Coordinator in developing and updating home study materials. Review, edit and approve home studies (including updates/addendums) and other court reports. In State All Domestic and International home studies for your state office clients prepared by NCA home study providers Court Reports for finalizations in your state office Out-of-state For your state office Domestic program when clients are in surrounding states. For international programs as assigned by the Vice President of Social Services Review Birth Mother reports completed by the Pregnancy Counselor Advise families of Adoption Bridge opportunities and Adoption Funding resources via e-mail to in-state and out-of-state families once their home study has been approved. Pre-match Consultations Consult with program coordinators about families applying to adopt specific children. Offer feedback and areas of concern to address before the family moves beyond application. International Referral Reviews Complete international referral reviews as assigned by the Vice President of Social Services Assess the adoptive parents' preparation for the specific child(ren) which they have been referred, based on the specific child and family characteristics Assign additional child specific education as needed Thoroughly document all referral reviews and child specific education in SAM to maintain compliance with Hague regulations Supervision of Social Services Employees Directly supervise and evaluate all home study providers, including Fee-for-Service Workers. Directly supervise and evaluate the Home Study Coordinator and the Post-Adoption Coordinator. Supervise a 2nd office program depending on skills and need. (Domestic Program, International Program, or Foster Care Program). Post Adoption / Post Placement In cooperation with the Director of the
Post Adoption Connection Center:
Address concerns and issues that arise with post-placement/post-adoption clients. Assist out-of-state families with post adoption issues via e-mail and phone contact. Collaborate with families struggling during post-placement/adoption; track progress by checking in/following up; provide support and resources. Review Post Placement/Adoption Reports or Assist Post Adoption Coordinator in reviewing post-adoption reports, cases of placement and post-placement reports, as defined by the agency's policies and procedures. Parent Training Assist the Vice President of Social Services or other designee in developing, updating and implementing parent education training programs which meet requirements of Hague, country and state regulations. Notify and educate the Home Study Coordinator, Adoption Program Coordinators and home study providers to changes to NCA's parent education training programs and requirements. Domestic Program If supervising the domestic program, Responsible for oversight of your state office Domestic Adoption Program. Active member of the agency-wide Domestic Team. Work closely with pregnancy counselor to assist as needed in the following areas: ICPC process Community visits and outreach in your city and surrounding areas Occasional one-on-one work with local expectant mothers Review Birth Mother reports for outgoing ICPC cases. Foster Care Program If supervising the foster care program, Work with the state child welfare entity to develop Nightlight's role in helping place children in the custody of the state with approved families. Developing protocol and procedures for the foster care. Directly supervise foster care program/employee Develop and maintain a parent education curriculum which aligns with the State Foster Care Regulations. International Program If supervising the international program, Responsible for oversight of international programs conducted out of your state office. Active member of the agency-wide International Team. Work closely with International Program Coordinator to assist as needed in the following areas: Hague compliance International adoption process Addressing family issues Occasional one-on-one work directly with families or FSPs Possible international travel Management Team Member of Nightlight's Management Team. Involvement in setting and enforcing certain agency policies and procedures. Reporting all social services activity to the Executive Director and Management Team. Communicate and discuss any and all questionable or potentially problematic cases to the Executive Director and Management Team. Administrative Attend local staff meetings, Management Team meetings, International Team meetings, local Social Services meetings, agency-wide Social Services meetings. Attend Domestic Team meetings and foster team meetings if directly supervising one of these programs. c. Attend state and local adoption and foster meetings, when needed. Information Seminars/Events Work with Executive Director in coordinating information seminars, Orphan Sunday events and other speaking engagement opportunities. Speak at seminars, workshops, informational meetings, and attend other adoption related events on behalf of Nightlight, as needed.
Education / Professional
Development Oversee the training and professional development of all employees of your state office. Provide employees with information about possible training opportunities. Monitor staff development to ensuring training requirements are met for all employees of the office and training new employees. Collaborate with Executive Director on developing ongoing Hague training for state staff. Maintain the standard of ethics for the social work profession, licensing, accrediting bodies, and all state and local laws. Be knowledgeable about child welfare, adoption, infertility, bonding and attachment, loss and grieving issues. Also, be knowledgeable about child development, life cycles, identity formation, family dynamics, PTSD, importance of cultural/racial heritage and diversity, and disciplinary techniques. Maintain educational hours to meet licensing and accreditation requirements, which may include at least 15 hours per year or 30 hours every 2 years. 96.38(c) Attend professional workshops, seminars, conferences, and read books/articles to maintain professional expertise. Ensure that all social services staff are adequately trained on changes related to programs or adoption issues. Minimum Qualifications The Social Services Managers qualifications must comply with Hague Standard 96:37(d) which states: the agency's or person's social work supervisors have prior experience in family and children's services, adoption, or intercountry adoption and either: (1) a master's degree from an accredited program of social work; (2) a master's degree (or doctorate) in a related human service field, including, but not limited to, psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or pastoral counseling. The Social Services Manager qualifications must also comply with COA Standards FKC 2.02 and AS 2.02 which states: Supervisors are qualified by at least 2 years of prior experience in adoption, intercountry adoption, or family and children's services and an advanced degree in social work or a comparable human service field. Management experience and propensity to manage and develop others to provide and maintain a high level of social services to all parties of the adoption triad Have average to excellent computer skills in the area of Microsoft Word, Excel, company databases or other reporting software This person must possess a confident, professional and personable manner when communicating with and managing individuals placed under their supervision. This individual must possess proficient written and oral communication skills; require little day to day management; and be very detail oriented.
Supervised by:
Executive Director Hours:
Full-time;
Salary Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance
