COMMUNITY SERVICES SAFETY MANAGER

The Community Services Safety Manager provides support and management of direct service provision in the achievement of safety, permanency, and well-being for children and families served by the SAFE at Home program. As part of case responsibilities, the Safety Manager also consults, plans, and regularly communicates with families and the assigned Intact or Permanency Caseworker in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care.

 The Community Services Safety Manager is directly supervised by the Community Services Supervisor.

I. Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional weekend days and adjusted work hours to accommodate case needs.

II. On-Call duties: Shared in rotation with all Community Services Caseworkers, Support Specialists, and Safety Managers

III. Supervised by: Community Services Supervisor

Supervisor for: None

IV. Essential Functions:

1. Research, identify, and generate resources and supports necessary to ensure safety and to meet the needs of the family. Ensure the resources are appropriate, available, and effective.

2. Collaborates with assigned caseworker regarding the development and implementation of the impending danger plan. Participates in weekly communication to evaluate the status and sufficiency of the plan and make recommendations as needed.

3. Contact clients in accordance with the Department of Children and Family Services policy, at a minimum. Contacts will require face-to-face visits in the home of parents or relatives as well as various community settings as determined by the needs of each case. Safety Manager shall have the flexibility to be present with the family beyond the scope of minimal contact as dictated by the needs of the family.

4. Participate in routine safety management meetings, Administrative Case Reviews, Child and Family Team Meetings, and other meetings as expected, required, and outlined per DCFS policy.

5. Assume responsibility for ensuring needed services and supports for children and families are identified, available, and implemented in order to maintain and facilitate safety within the home. This includes assisting families in accessing these services and ensuring that all service-related commitments are completed in a timely manner.

6. Complete case notes and other in-house staffing and incident reports weekly. All case-related documentation is part of the case record, is the property of Kemmerer Village, Inc., and is considered confidential.

7. Must possess and maintain a valid Illinois driver’s license, safe driving record, and required insurance coverage in compliance with Kemmerer Village, Inc. policy and applicable state law.

V. Additional Responsibilities:

1. Confer with the Director of Community Operations to exchange information regarding problems and progress of each child on as needed or requested basis.

2. Ensure the foster family and child have initial placement needs, i.e.: clothing, personal belongings, and record file, and that all records are maintained and kept up to date.

3. Initiate contact with foster parents a minimum of once a week for specialized placements, twice monthly for all others. Provide consultation to foster parents regarding the child and his/her needs. Ensure contact with the foster home is conducted in a planned manner with specific issues to the addressed and discussed.

4. Maintain communication with the assigned caseworker in order to ensure effective communication regarding safety and service planning needs are identified and met, and/or make recommendations regarding updates to such plans for purposes of safety.

5. Provide feedback and keep families informed of appropriate information, changes, or new planning taking place for or on behalf of the child, i.e. services, appointments, visits, etc..

6. Perform other duties as assigned.

VI. Staff Relations:

1. The Community Services Safety Manager must be able to maintain a team relationship with other agency staff involved in working with the children in his/her direct caseload. This includes supervisors, caregivers, therapists, Support Worker, and other agency personnel.

2. Must be able to resolve conflicts in a straightforward manner with the outcome being understood by all involved.

VII. Personal Management:

1. Must, at all times, present a professional model for clients and other staff. Through their attire, manner, language, behavior, and attitude will serve as an example of a professional in the field of child welfare.

2. Shall, at all times, use best judgment in managing time and self in relation to the assigned duties and caseload. All agency information and personal information about children and families in care is considered confidential and not to be shared outside the agency.

3. Shall have the ability to take direction and follow the lines of authority when necessary, including the ability to adjust satisfactorily to the Kemmerer Village, Inc. program.

4. Have the ability to engage the youth (as age-appropriate), birth parents, family and social connections, foster parents, and staff in order to facilitate and support stability and for the youth.

VIII. Qualifications (including but not limited to qualifications in accordance with DCFS standards for the Safety Manager role):

1. Bachelor’s Degree in social work OR in a related field with one year related experience

2. A willingness and ability to work actively in a team relationship with other agency program staff.

3. Experience regarding trauma, mental health, behavioral interventions, crisis response is strongly preferred, as is experience working with children with special needs.

4. A willingness and ability to work actively in a team relationship with agency program staff. Must have the ability to communicate well and collaborate productively with other agencies and within the community.

5. Demonstrate personal attributes of maturity, flexibility, responsibility, and ability to work as part of a team.

IX. Work Environment:

Work will occur in a general office setting in one building but does require trips to other buildings on the agency’s 30-acre campus for meetings, trainings, visits, or observation. Regular travel to homes of families and within the community is required. Such travel will often include climbing stairs, any may involve uneven terrain. Travel of distances up to apx. 350 miles to attend meetings, trainings, court, visits, etc. relevant to the job position. Travel will occur in an agency vehicle, or mileage will be reimbursed if a fleet vehicle is unavailable. There are no specific physical strength requirements beyond that needed to function independently in a standard office environment or in the field as described.