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Clinical Services Administrator

SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR IV

Recruitment #26-000194-0005

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Introduction
 
When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults.
 
We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind. 

This is a Management Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

GRADE

19

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Department of Human Services
Caroline County Department of Social Services
207 South Third Street
Denton, MD 21629

Main Purpose of Job

This position serves as a Social Service Administrator IV who provides direct supervision, clinical oversight, and program leadership to five Child Welfare Supervisors and their respective units. The position will support complex case decision-making involving child maltreatment, behavioral health concerns, substance use disorders, domestic violence, and other high-risk situations. The SSA IV will strengthen risk assessment, practice consistency, quality assurance, and compliance with state and federal standards while providing coaching, guidance, and professional development support to supervisors and frontline staff. The incumbent is responsible for strengthening clinical decision-making, enhancing supervisory capacity, ensuring compliance with federal and state mandates (including CFSR and ACQI expectations), and promoting high-quality service delivery that ensures the safety, permanency, and well-being of vulnerable children and adults. This role directly supports the agency's mission by advancing practice excellence, accountability, and system coordination across complex and high risk service populations.

POSITION DUTIES

Clinical Oversight and Supervision 
  • Provide clinical supervision and consultation to 5 Child Welfare Social Work Supervisors (i.e. CPS, In-Home, and Out-of-Home and CAC programs).
  • Ensure consistent application of policy, COMAR regulations, and best practice standards in all casework. 
  • Review complex, high-risk cases and provide guidance on safety, risk assessment, and service planning.
  • Support supervisors in case staffing, removals, permanency planning, and critical decision-making.
  • Strengthen trauma-informed, family-centered, and equity-focused practice across units. 
  • Monitor case documentation, CJAMS compliance, and quality assurance standards. 
  • Provide consultation related to forensic interviewing, multidisciplinary coordination, and court-wide cases. 
Program Administration and Compliance
  • Interpret and implement federal, state, and local policies and regulations across assigned service areas.
  • Lead efforts to ensure compliance with CFSR, ACQI, and other performance and accountability measures. 
  • Analyze program data and trends to identify gaps, improve outcomes, and inform decision-making. 
  • Develop and implement standard operating procedures and practice guidelines. 
  • Participate in internal and external meetings, including DHS, SSA, and multidisciplinary partners. 
  • Support development and monitoring of program budgets, grants, and funding streams. 
Workforce Development and Performance Management 
  • Evaluate supervisory performance and provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
  • Support recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies to strengthen workforce capacity.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and high performance.
  • Ensure completion of performance evaluations (PEPs) and adherence to training requirements.
  • Address performance concerns through coaching, corrective action, and progressive discipline, if needed. 
Agency Support and Emergency Response
  • Participate in after hours coverage, consultation and responses. 
  • Support agency operations during emergency activations and shelter operations. 
  • Represent the agency in community partnerships, boards and multidisciplinary teams.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience: Seven years of professional experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency or institution, five years must have been in an administrative supervisory or consultative capacity.

Notes:

1. These requirements are established by the Social Services Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article 4-204 of the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, does not have authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Social Work classifications or Social Work specialty codes in the Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet the selective qualification(s) to be considered. Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

  • Possession of a LCSW-C license

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

  • Licensed as a LCSW-C in the State of Maryland for five years.
  • Two years of experience managing, analyzing, and reporting on program data to ensure compliance with federal and state accountability measures, specifically including Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR) and Continuous Quality Improvement (ACQI) standards.
  • Two years of professional experience developing, implementing, and monitoring program budgets, grants, or federal/state funding streams for public social service agencies.
  • Two years of direct supervisory experience.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must be licensed by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties are required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. 

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

  • Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
  • Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
  • Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.  
  • Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least thirteen (13) holidays per year.  
  • Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Calisha Wilson-Colbert, Department of Human Services, 207 South Third Street, Denton, MD 21629 or email Calisha.Colbert@maryland.gov, Voice: (410) 819-4513).

All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application. 

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.

TTY  Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.



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