Tennessee Department of Children's Services
Recruitment began on January 23, 2025 and the job listing expires on December 31, 2025.
Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
Necessary Special Qualifications:
* Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
* Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;
* Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint-based criminal history records check;
* Submit to a review of their status on the Department of Health’s vulnerable person’s registry;
* Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment in some positions;
* Upon appointment, successfully complete a prescribed course of training offered by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional case management work of routine difficulty, and performs related work as required.
Distinguishing Features: This is the trainee/entry level class in the DCS Case Manager job series. An employee in this class learns to perform a variety of case management duties for children under State supervision, in State custody, or at risk of State custody, and their families.
Responsibilities:
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:
* Learns and adheres to departmental policy.
* Learns to complete all training hours as required by the Department.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems:
* Learns to determine if abuse or neglect has occurred, who the abuser is, the level of risk or harm to the child, and the need for a safety plan.
* Learns to make recommendations for reunification or termination of parental rights.
* Learns to monitor adoptive and foster families to check the compatibility of the child with the family.
* Learns to actively listen to concerns to make appropriate referrals.
* Learns to coordinate and observe visitations for children in and out-of-home placements to ensure meaningful visitations.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:
* Learns to prepare to participate and testify in court proceedings.
* Learns to recruit adoptive/foster parents.
Getting Information:
* Learns to conduct intake interviews with individuals reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
* Learns to conduct interviews with child’s family and collateral contacts (e.g. principals, neighbors, doctors, etc.).
* Learns to gather demographic information on the child and family.
* Learns to gather complete and accurate information (e.g. child’s school records, psychological evaluation report or medical examination results).
* Learns to locate and identify natural, formal, and informal supports.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:
* Learns to recognize and acknowledge the rights of families.
Documenting/Recording Information:
* Learns to document accurate information from an interview.
* Learns to prepare reports for court.
Analyzing Data or Information:
* Learns to conduct ongoing assessments of all incoming information.
* Learns to complete required assessments in a timely manner.
Scheduling Work and Activities:
* Works flexible hours including weekends, holidays, and after hours.
* Learns to regularly conduct home visits to assess the safety of homes.
* Learns to conduct multiple and ongoing face-to-face visits with children, resource families, providers, kinship homes, and other relevant entities.
* Learns to schedule appointments as necessary and needed.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:
* Learns to communicate effectively what the issues are to build solutions.
* Learns to engage with children and families to build a trustful relationship.
* Learns to encourage clients to be self-sufficient to overcome barriers and achieve permanency.
* Learns to arrive on time and prepared for meetings.
* Learns to respond timely, appropriately, and respectfully with families, providers, and co-workers.
Assisting and Caring for Others:
* Learns to transport children to various appointments, safely and securely.
* Learns to assist child in preparing for placement.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiation with Others:
* Learns to address inappropriate behaviors and/or actions with clients, service providers, resource parents, etc.
Developing and Building Teams:
* Learns to convene and identify members for a Child and Family Team Meetings.
* Learns to participate as an active member of a team.
Interacting with Computers:
* Learns to operate computer programs.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:
* Learns to review and explain relevant documents to clients.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:
* Learns to operate office machinery.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public:
* Learns to make referrals for service providers.
* Learns to work collaboratively with law enforcement officials and multi-disciplinary teams.
Performing General Physical Activities:
* Learns to administer drug screens analysis.
Performing Administrative Activities:
* Learns to maintain and update case files.
* Learns to answer and return all correspondence in a timely manner.
Competencies (KSA’s):
* Decision Quality
* Problem Solving
* Priority Setting
* Time Management
* Conflict Management
* Drive For Results
* Perseverance
* Organizational Agility
* Building Effective Teams
* Ethics and Values
Knowledge:
* Knowledge of computer and office equipment.
Skills:
* The skill to manage one’s own time.
* The skill to actively listen to others.
* The skill to organize work efficiently and effectively.
* The skill to use problem-solving techniques in daily work.
* The skill to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
* The skill to make appropriate decisions on a daily basis.
Abilities:
* The ability to be culturally sensitive in the work environment.
* The ability to demonstrate warmth and empathy when working with children and families.
* The ability to demonstrate self-control in daily situations.
* The ability to demonstrate critical thinking in the work environment.
* The ability to handle daily stressful situations in the work environment.
* The ability to demonstrate flexibility in the work environment.
* The ability to be a team player in the work environment.
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