Job Information Opening Date/Time: 04/01/2025 12:00 AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time: 12/31/2025 11:59 PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly): $3,687.00 - $5,532.00
Salary (Annually): $44,244.00 - $66,384.00
Job Type: Full-Time
Locations Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN
Cookeville, TN
Memphis, TN
Chattanooga, TN
Clarksville, TN
Murfreesboro, TN
Franklin, TN
Johnson City, TN
Jackson, TN
Hendersonville, TN
Kingsport, TN
Columbia, TN
Lebanon, TN
Morristown, TN
Shelbyville, TN
Tullahoma, TN
Sevierville, TN
Dickson, TN
Athens, TN
Cleveland, TN
Lawrenceburg, TN
Oak Ridge, TN
Department: Children’s Services
Position Summary The DCS Case Manager 1* position has an approved starting salary of $50,604.
What\'s it like to be a Case Manager
Why We Do What We Do
Qualifications 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 your criminal history to the appointing authority.
Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint‑based criminal history check.
Submit to a review of your 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.
Overview 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. The class differs from DCS Case Manager 2* in that an incumbent of the latter is fully trained and functions at the working level.
Reclassification: An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to the next higher class in the series after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.
Responsibilities Learn and adhere to departmental policy.
Complete all required training hours as outlined by the Department.
Determine if abuse or neglect has occurred, identify the abuser, assess the level of risk or harm to the child, and decide on a safety plan.
Make recommendations for reunification or termination of parental rights.
Monitor adoptive and foster families to assess fit with the child.
Actively listen to concerns and make appropriate referrals.
Coordinate and observe visitations for children in and out‑of‑home placements to ensure meaningful contact.
Prepare and testify in court proceedings.
Recruit adoptive/foster parents.
Conduct intake interviews from individuals reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
Interview child’s family and collateral contacts (e.g., principals, neighbors, doctors).
Gather demographic information on the child and family (e.g., genogram, ecomap).
Collect complete and accurate information such as school records, psychological evaluations, or medical examinations.
Identify natural, formal, and informal supports.
Recognize and acknowledge the rights of families.
Document accurate information from interviews.
Prepare reports for court.
Conduct ongoing assessments of all incoming information.
Complete required assessments in a timely manner (e.g., Family Functional, CANS, YLS, FAST).
Work flexible hours including weekends, holidays, and after hours.
Conduct home visits to assess the safety of homes and maintain regular contact.
Arrange and conduct face‑to‑face visits with children, resources, families, providers, kinship homes, and other relevant entities.
Schedule appointments as necessary.
Communicate effectively to build solutions, engage with children and families, and encourage self‑sufficiency.
Transport children to appointments safely.
Assist child in preparing for placement, monitoring and sitting with child while awaiting placement.
Address inappropriate behaviors or actions with clients, service providers, or resource parents.
Convene and identify members for Child and Family Team Meetings to develop action steps and goals for the child and family.
Participate as an active team member and rely on others for knowledge and help when needed.
Operate computer programs (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, TFACTS).
Review and explain relevant documents to clients.
Operate office machinery; scan documents; operate a camera.
Make referrals for service providers and collaborate with law enforcement and multi‑disciplinary teams.
Train adoptive/foster parents and community.
Administer drug screen analysis.
Maintain and update case files; obtain required signatures; answer and return all correspondence in a timely manner.
Competencies Decision Quality
Problem Solving
Priority Setting
Time Management
Conflict Management
Sizing Up People
Drive for Results
Perseverance
Organizational Agility
Written Communications
Building Effective Teams
Ethics and Values
Knowledge Computer and office equipment knowledge.
Skills Manage one’s own time.
Actively listen to others.
Organize work efficiently and effectively.
Use problem‑solving techniques in daily work.
Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work‑related documents.
Listen to others, take time to understand points, ask questions, not interrupt inappropriate times.
Make appropriate decisions daily.
Abilities Culturally sensitive in the work environment.
Demonstrate warmth and empathy when working with children and families.
Demonstrate self‑control in daily situations.
Demonstrate critical thinking in the work environment.
Handle daily stressful situations.
Demonstrate flexibility in the work environment.
Be a team player.
Tools & Equipment Electronic devices
Computers
Motor vehicles