Job Specifications

Family Services Supervisor

Job Code: 503500

Pay Plan: Classified

Pay Grade: 26

Occupational Category: Human Services

Effective Date: 01/07/2018

Class Definition:

Administrative and supervisory work at a professional level for the Department for Children and Families/Family Services Division of the Agency of Human Services involving the provision of social and protective services to clients and their families in an assigned district. It is the role of the supervisor to implement, teach and support the Family Services' vision, mission and core practice principles and to promote partnerships with families and community to achieve safety, well-being, permanency and law abidance for children and families. Supervisors are expected to provide a mix of administrative, educational and supportive supervision creating and managing an environment for open communication, teaming and accountability at all levels both internally and externally. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation. Supervision is exercised over professional and paraprofessional employees. Work is performed under the direction of a Family Services District Director.

Examples of Work:

Supervises, trains, and assists in the professional development of assigned social workers and paraprofessionals. Interprets policies, directives, and regulations through individual conferences and staff meetings. Reviews recommendations and approves or modifies plans as necessary. Familiarizes subordinate staff with State and community resources. Observes and analyzes work activities and reapportions caseloads and territories as necessary. Confers with staff members of other departments and agencies on particular cases and/or social work problems and practices. Participates in planning staff meetings. Maintains cooperative working relationships with other supervisors in order to achieve a coordinated district program. Interprets programs to communities by talks; makes special studies and surveys as assigned. In the absence of the District Director, assumes responsibility for the administration of programs within a designated district or service area. Performs related duties as required.

Environmental Factors:

Duties are performed largely in an office setting although some field travel may be necessary, for which private means of transportation must be available. Occasional court appearance relative to program client needs/status may be required. Although duties normally occur within a regular weekday schedule, some evening and weekend duty may be necessary to provide necessary service and/or emergency coverage.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of social casework principles and practices.

Considerable knowledge of social, economic, cultural and physical factors in terms of impact upon social service program and clients.

Considerable knowledge of social casework delivery systems.

Considerable knowledge of social casework records systems.

Working knowledge of other service disciplines which typically interact with social service programs and clients.

Awareness of supervisory principles and techniques.

Ability to prepare and maintain appropriate records and reports of unit activities.

Ability to provide leadership and accountability within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to interpret program philosophies to a variety of publics.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree or higher in social work AND one (1) year or more of casework experience with a child protective or juvenile services caseload.

OR

Bachelor's degree or higher AND three (3) years or more of casework experience with a child protective or juvenile services caseload.

OR

Bachelor's degree or higher AND two (2) years or more of casework experience with a child protective or juvenile services caseload AND one (1) year or more of supervisory experience.

OR

Completion of a Family Services Worker Traineeship in the Department for Children and Families AND three (3) years or more of casework experience with a child protective or juvenile services caseload.

Preferred Qualifications:

Special Requirements:

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.