This position requires lifting, pulling, and squatting. Duties of this position require the incumbent to be knowledgeable of and utilize the principles of Total Quality Management. The employee in this position is responsible for providing supervision to their subordinates and reports to the Director of Office of Social Services. This position will interact with their social services staff and the residents in forensic services. This position requires specialized knowledge related to services of individuals committed under Florida Statute, Chapter 916. They must have a working knowledge of court procedures and the Florida Mental Health laws. This position requires skills in the areas of administration, consultation, organization, and supervision, in addition to the direct service skills traditionally attributed to the field of professional social work. This position requires that the employee demonstrate good rapport and cooperative working relationships with residents, visitors, co-workers, and supervisors. The employee will adhere to conventional norms of courtesy and ethics in interaction with others. Supervisory duties include: Supervises all Human Services Counselors assigned to the Forensic service area and motivates employees to improve the quality and quantity of work performed. Provides individualized clinical supervision as needed. (Evaluates subordinates through establishing criteria and responsibilities; provides individualized clinical supervision and reviews pre-established evaluation criteria with subordinates to ensure criteria is met.) Assists in screening for Human Services Counselor applicants. Provides in unit training of new Human Services Counselors after completion of their training in Office of Social Services. (Written correspondence should be maintained.) Disseminates information pertaining to social services and other important sources of information, and training on new/revised policies and procedures. (Written correspondence should be maintained.) Ensures social services documentation meets required standards by completing random quarterly audits. Distributes caseload and monitors and plans workflows, deadlines, work objectives, and time utilization with Human Services Counselor. Directs the work of employees to ensure best use of time and resources. Ensures social work coverage to the unit is provided. (May have to carry a caseload in event of absence/vacancy.) Consults with community organizations and agencies to ensure specific resident needs are met. This position functions in an administrative capacity both with the designated units and throughout the Forensic Service: Serves as a member of the Social Services Management Team. Participates in Unit and Ward activities and meetings to coordinate, review and recommend policy and procedures. Develops and implements staff development and training programs for social services staff. Provides assistance with developing policies and procedures and ensures implementation thereof. Ensures that all social services documents are completed accurately and timely. Provides coverage in unit social services in the event of an absence. Assist with identifying and representing social services, as well as developing cohesion and standardization for communication, developing training programs, and recruiting social work interns. This is a professional position responsible for providing social services, counseling guidance, and discharge planning (i.e., identifying alternative living environments, securing financial benefits, identifying barriers to discharge, etc.) with individuals with acute or chronic mental disabilities, who are emotionally disturbed, indigent, or assigned a legal status of forensic. Ensures unit social services staff have monthly contact case management and interacts with Forensic Specialists during case management visits to maintain effective working relationships, and to develop Discharge Plans and Conditional Release Plans. Is sensitive to cultural diversity issues and maintains effective, professional therapeutic relationships with their employees and individuals with acute and/or chronic mental deficiencies. Assists in creating and revising assessments to better identify psychosocial stressors which affect mental illness and mental health. Assists with the completion of necessary social services assessments (as needed) to include Comprehensive Psychosocial summaries, Advance Directive documents, and other documents associated with discharge planning in a timely manner, ensuring that Quality Assurance requirements are met, and Continuity of Care plans for residents being discharged are arranged. Represents the unit and social services department at legal hearings (if applicable). Maintains assessments in compliance with Department of Children and Families, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities, Performance Improvement and Planning, and Florida State Hospital Operating Procedures. Updates all discharge lists in a timely manner and reports to Office of Social Services. Attends in-service training, reviews policies, and/or continued education programs to enhance job knowledge. Develops and implements staff development and training programs for social services staff. Serves as Task Supervisor or Field Educator (MSW) for graduate and undergraduate social work interns in practicum setting. Attends and participates in scheduled meetings associated with position and appointed committee meetings as assigned. Performs other related duties as required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position: Knowledge of theories and practices in counseling, social work or rehabilitation. Knowledge of professional ethics relating to counseling. Knowledge of interviewing techniques. Ability to supervise people. Ability to provide counseling and guidance to others. Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments. Ability to actively listen to others. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to communicate effectively. Minimum Qualifications: A Bachelor’s Degree and 3 years of professional experience or A Master’s Degree and 2 years of professional experience. Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety: Include the supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment. Account for and explain gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed. Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities, as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history. If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287. Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits. For a more complete list of benefits, visit DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired. SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement. BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F. S., and Chapter 408, F. S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.