DCS CASE MANAGER 4 - DRUG ENDANGERED CHILD UNIT- PUTNAM - 08252026 - 80475

Location: Cookeville, TN – Department of Children's Services, Putnam County

About the Role

This is a full-time DCS Case Manager 4 position within the Drug Endangered Child Unit. The role involves professional case management supervisory work, overseeing staff who provide case management services for children under the State's supervision, in State custody, or at risk of State custody, and their families. This is the first full supervisory class in the DCS Case Manager job series.

Pay

Monthly salary: $4,672.00 - $5,844.00
Annual salary: $56,064.00 - $70,128.00

Responsibilities

• Assist case managers in determining if abuse or neglect has occurred, assessing risk or harm to the child, and recommending safety plans, permanency, reunification, or termination of parental rights.
• Assess underlying family needs and core concerns to ensure child safety.
• Review and assess cases for closure or transfer based on policy requirements.
• Assign cases and work through TFACTS, providing performance feedback, professional development, or corrective action to subordinates.
• Analyze data, including response times, overdue reports, Child and Family Team Meetings, placement reports, and compliance tracking using SharePoint and Excel.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams (e.g., Child Protective Services Investigative Team, Foster Care Review Board) to inform case planning decisions.
• Interpret policies and procedures for staff, community partners, and clients.
• Guide subordinates in decision-making regarding case needs, resource allocation, and outcomes.
• Conduct case conferences to provide feedback, direction, and next steps for client safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Ensure subordinates follow policy guidelines for case documentation and meet completion requirements.
• Review and monitor subordinate assessments to ensure quality case management.
• Document discussions with staff, including Employee Performance Briefings (EPBs) and case conferences.
• Track and report regional data to ensure state and federal compliance.
• Ensure accurate and detailed information is provided to internal and external entities (e.g., courts).
• Work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and after-hours, to schedule appointments, meetings, and visitations.
• Transport children to appointments, assist with placement preparation, and support children awaiting placement.
• Communicate effectively with children, families, providers, and co-workers to build trust and achieve permanency.
• Explain parental rights and relevant documents to families.
• Make referrals to service providers, collaborate with law enforcement, and train foster/adoptive parents and community members.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in social work or a related behavioral science field with a child or family focus and experience equivalent to three years of full-time professional child welfare case work, including:
  • Social, psychological, or correctional counseling or case management;
  • Volunteer services coordination for a children's service program; and/or
  • Juvenile classification coordination.
• OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree and experience equivalent to five years of full-time professional child welfare case work, including the same areas listed above.
• Must be at least 21 years of age on the date of application.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license prior to and during employment.
• Must have a good moral character, as determined by investigation.
• Must complete a criminal history disclosure form and agree to release all criminal history records to the appointing authority.
• Must supply a fingerprint sample for a TBI criminal history records check.
• Must submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for illegal drugs.
• Must have no conviction for a felony.
• For driving-related responsibilities:
  • Must meet State of Tennessee driver standards.
  • Driver record must not include: DUI, reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, or more than 4 moving violations in the past five years.

Skills and Competencies

• Competencies: Decision Quality, Directs Work, Drives Results, Develops Talent, Communicates Effectively.
• Knowledge: Clerical, Customer and Personal Service, Personnel and Human Resources.
• Skills: Time Management, Active Learning and Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Critical Thinking.
• Abilities: Written Comprehension, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning.
• Tools & Equipment: Electronic devices, computers, motor vehicles.