Social Work Program Administrator I

Position Objectives

The primary purpose of this position is to provide supervision, management, and oversight of the agency’s Children and Adult Services units. Work involves the supervision of a range of adult, family, and children’s services programs with direct involvement in operational matters as well as short and long-range planning of program services. This employee would evaluate quality of
services and ensure compliance with standards; provide major input on organizational changes, personnel, and budget issues. Work is performed independently under the agency director supervision and may include acting in the director’s absence. Work may include development of alternate sources of funding, inter-agency agreements, and contracts. This position serves on local and State planning committees and policy review groups although the agency director usually represents the agency in the community and with local officials depending on the sensitivity of the issues.

Duties & Responsibilities

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Leadership, Organization, and Planning
● Plan with supervisors to ensure delivery of services, allocation of staff, and other resources, coordination with other divisions in the agency and organizations within the community.
● Provide input into the agency planning process as a member of the management team or executive leadership team.
● Recommend changes in unit, workflow, and new programs to agency director.
● Delegate daily operational issues to supervisors.
● Supervise, train, evaluate unit staff, and influence hiring decisions.

 

Program Management
● Manage work operations through considerable involvement with higher level management abilities to ensure consistency in the planning, evaluation, implementation, and delivery of services.
● Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as adherence to best practices and standards in social work by managing, reviewing, and assessing quality and quantity of work by analyzing information gathered in conferences with
supervisors and staff and review of case records, reports, audits, and statistical data.
● Participate in the interviewing and selection of new employees; recommend hiring of supervisor to agency director.

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Budget and Resource Management
● Work in collaboration with executive leadership, community providers, and other county staff pertaining to personnel actions and financial management of the services.
● Recommend budgetary needs to agency director for services programs based on input from supervisors and analysis of reports and information.
● Justify budget to agency director and may assist in explaining to local boards; and monitor expenditures.

Staff Development and Training
● Ensure that supervisors provide the necessary on-the-job training and arrange for training by State staff and other professionals.
● Provide orientation for new employees.
● Assess the training process and make necessary modifications.

 

Other duties as assigned

 

Work Schedule: The normal work schedule is mostly Monday through Friday 8:30am-5pm, subject to after hours as required. Weekend work on occasion due to shelter duty, projects, and other departmental needs. The Program Administrator participates in on-call supervision and rotation with Social Work Supervisors, for after-hours emergency coverage. Employees will be expected to work in emergency shelters and/or perform disaster tasks and perform other reasonable tasks requested by the Director.

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Knowledge and Skills:
● 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 social and economic factors in the community, and local
agencies and resources.
● 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 social workers and supervisors and related professionals and students engaged in a variety of services.

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Minimum Requirements

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● Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and four (4) years of social work or counseling experience, two (2) of which were supervisory; or
● Bachelors degree in social work and five (5) years of social work or counseling experience, two (2) of which were supervisory; or
● Bachelors degree in a human services field or related curriculum including at least 15 semester hours in courses related to social work or counseling and six (6) years of social work or counseling experience, two (2) of which were supervisory; or
● Equivalent combination of training and experience.

 

Additional Training/Experience:
Completion of the North Carolina Child Welfare Pre-Service training.

 

Desirable Training and Experience:
Preferred Qualifications: Supervisory experience in a social work Child Welfare program within a county department of social services; extensive front-line experience in a county department of social services in North Carolina preferably in Child Welfare. Additional experience working in Adult Services is a plus.

Key Points for Applicants:
● Independence and Accountability: You will be making critical decisions regarding case handling and enforcement, with significant impact on the financial and legal outcomes for families involved.
● Courtroom Role: You must be prepared to support legal teams in preparing cases and, when necessary, testify in court.
● Client Interaction: You’ll need strong negotiation and communication skills, as well as the ability to handle sometimes difficult or hostile situations.

 

This role is well-suited for individuals with strong investigative, legal, and communication skills who are comfortable working independently and handling complex, high-stakes situations.

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Desirable Training and Experience

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Valid drivers license and experience operating agency vehicles.
Demonstrated ability to provide safe and reliable transportation services.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Knowledge of local area routes and transportation options.
Ability to handle challenging situations and maintain composure.

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Benefits

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Benefited after 30 days

Medical, dental, and life insurance
Sick, vacation, and holiday pay
Membership in the Local Government Retirement System

Supplemental retirement 401k/457