Social Services Supervisor

Overview

Under general direction, the Social Worker Supervisor I plans, organizes and supervises social service and employment staff engaged in providing information and referral services, adult protective services, in-home supportive services, home placement services, child protective services, emergency response services and/or employment services; performs other related work as assigned. Social Worker Supervisor I is the first supervisory level in the series. Social Worker Supervisor I differs from the next lower classification of Social Worker IV in that the former is the first line supervisor.

Social Worker Supervisor I differs from Social Worker Supervisor II in that the latter is at the second supervisory level and requires a Master’s degree.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

Incumbents in the Social Worker Supervisor I classification generally receive direction from a Program Manager or other management level classification. A Social Worker Supervisor I supervises a variety of Social Workers, clerical and technical staff, but does not supervise employees in positions that require a master's degree pursuant to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) Division 31 regulations (31.070).

• Plans, assigns, supervises, coaches, mentors, and reviews the work of employees engaged in the delivery of employment and social services; consults with and guides social workers in providing counseling, support and guidance to clients with complex or specialized needs; may be required to work or supervise on-call
• Reviews and approves forms, applications, court reports, placements, reports of abuse and other documents to verify information or determine proper course of action; reassesses and modifies case plans
• Reviews and approves reports of abuse; suggests or approves placements; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may testify in court; supports witnesses and victims who must testify in court
• Documents and addresses clients' concerns and complaints
• Selects, trains, evaluates, and disciplines subordinate staff
• Discusses or interprets regulations, rules, policies and programs to clients, applicants, staff and the general public
• Assists and participates in the development of in-service staff development programs
• Facilitates communication between staff and management; communicates department expectations and activities, policy changes, and regulatory changes; evaluates and recommends service delivery improvements
• Authorizes the provision of social and employment services through the department, provides services, and makes referrals to other agency staff and community agencies
• Provides social services for sensitive or confidential cases, in the absence of assigned social workers or to meet workload demands
• Participates or intercedes in interviews to defuse hostile or angry clients; obtains information on personal issues in difficult or emotional situations; explains decisions or recommendations to clients and family members
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and trust with staff, clients, family members, community organizations and the public; collaborates with service providers; facilitates a work environment favoring teamwork, collaboration and mutual respect
• Provides peer support for coworkers facing case related stress
• Develops and prepares court reports, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systems
• Enters and retrieves data and narratives from automated computer systems
• Maintains written chronological narrative reflecting personal or other contacts with the client and reasons for the social worker's actions; prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations and case plans to clients, families and service providers
• Enters and retrieves information from an automated computer system; researches information using the Internet and computer resources
• Receives, approves and prepares correspondence and reports
• Ensures all services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive and appropriate manner and maintains confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics
• In small agencies, may be responsible for social workers involved in the provision of the full range of social services including advanced services
• Performs related duties as assigned

Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of supervision, training, mentoring, motivating, casework consultation, and peer counseling
• Principles and practices of organization, workload management, and time management
• Principles and practices of note taking, report writing, and English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• Functions of public social services agencies and the principles of public social service administration
• Casework concepts, techniques of…