Casework Manager (Maternity leave)

About Us:

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph (BBBSG) it is our collective mission to provide life-changing mentoring programs that ignite the power and potential of all young people.  We seek to put children and youth on a path to lifelong success and change the trajectories of their lives in positive ways. We are committed to the recruitment of volunteers, and dedicated to upholding the values and principles of the agency and to those whom we serve. Our organizational vision is that all young people realize their full potential.

The Opportunity: 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph is seeking an experienced and professional individual to serve in the role of Casework Manager for a 15-month maternity leave position. This position would be appealing to an individual seeking to build their leadership capacity, manage a high-performing and professional team of social service workers, and demonstrate a keen analytical approach towards service delivery.

General Purpose:

As part of the program team, the Casework Manager is required to follow the National Standards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. The Casework Manager will manage all staff involved on the casework team (all mentoring coordinators, placement students). The Casework Manager will also coordinate the Co-operative In-School Mentor program.

Responsibilities/Duties:

Management of Casework Staff:

• Effectively recruit, hire and train new casework staff
• Provide ongoing feedback/mentoring, appropriate recognition, development opportunities, and discipline to casework staff
• Complete annual performance evaluations of casework staff
• Ensure all programs are operating within National Standards. Update policies, manuals, and procedures as standards change
• Assist with grant writing and other funding initiatives as required
• Perform file audits in all programs except own, as required by National Standards
• Update job descriptions within the programs
• Oversee recruitment initiatives, delegate responsibilities to appropriate staff and ensure that strategies and tactics are reflective of the organization’s present need for volunteers
• Oversee the Site-Based Coordinator and ensure that schools are connected with sufficiently throughout the school year, and referrals for all school-based programs are collected thoroughly in the Fall
• Facilitate monthly casework meetings and recruitment meetings

Placement Student Supervision:

• Screen, accept, train, orient, and supervise placement students
• Monitor matches with placements students following National Standards, with additional assessments of student skills and growth
• Conduct assessments and observations of placement students
• Collaborate with caseworkers to complete student grading and official assessment procedures
• Liaise with placement schools to coordinate programs
• Oversee reference call process: assign capable student(s) to complete calls

Intake of Children/Youth into the Co-op In-School Mentorship (ISM) Program:

• Liaise with local schools and accept child/youth referrals
• Determine child’s eligibility and suitability for placement in the program
• Ensure appropriate referral information is received about each student
• Keep information on child accurate, particularly across school years or if the student moves to a new local school
• Re-assess mentees after match termination to determine if a re-match is appropriate

Volunteer/Mentor Process:

• Screen volunteer applications as they come into the agency and direct to the appropriate caseworker
• Provide necessary information to the volunteer during application process
• Interview prospective volunteers
• Inform volunteers of their acceptance or rejection
• Re-assess and promote re-assignment of volunteers following termination of a match where appropriate
• Conduct monthly Developmental Relationship Trainings, and as needed

Matching and Supervision:

• Provide necessary intervention and support to volunteers and schools
• Provide on-going communications with school liaison to build rapport and to develop a mutually beneficial relationship
• Participate as a team member in the selection and matching process with the casework team, children and volunteers
• Monitor matches according to National Standards
• Provide necessary intervention and support to volunteers and family in consultation with the casework team
• Provide liaison to other agencies, professionals and institutions as needed for mentees, volunteers, and parents
• Facilitate the ending process when match is closing

Material Preparation and Presentation:

• Purchase required materials to stock supply bins for all school-based programs
• Provide required program materials to schools for site-based programs (bins)
• Purchase and distribute grocery cards to SBG mentors
• Provide required program materials to schools for co-op ISM mentorships (supply bins and other resources throughout semester)
• Write annual Casework Report and submit to Executive Director

National Standards

• Monitor news releases (e-Bulletins) from National regarding new standards and upcoming changes and inform staff of relevant updates
• Keep up-to-date on CRM changes and updates and inform related staff of new services and options
• Maintain case notes on all cases in accordance with National Standards in CRM 

Other Related Duties:

• Perform administrative functions as required to manage caseload and assist staff in the management of their caseloads
• Provide regular reports to the Executive Director as required (e.g. statistics)
• Participate in promotion of the agency in the community and at special events as assigned by the Executive Director
• Attend meetings/events as directed by the Executive Director
• Participate in development of policy, procedures & agency guidelines relative to service delivery
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director/Interim Executive Director

Qualifications:

• Minimum two years of relevant experience in casework, social work and/or service delivery management
• Minimum 2-year post-secondary diploma or degree in a related field is required
• Excellent social, interpersonal and leadership skills, public speaking and writing ability
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with databases
• Reliable access to a vehicle

Personal Characteristics:

• Ability to think strategically, communicate effectively and foster teamwork
• Ability to develop and maintain local partnerships
• Advanced problem-solving ability
• Ability to multitask during high stress seasons of work
• Ability to build organizational capacity
• Personal effectiveness, including interpersonal sensitivity and leadership presence
• Well-honed organizational and time management skills