Family Service Specialist

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

15d

About The Position

Summary Statement An incumbent in this class functions at the entry level and directly provides, coordinates and monitors the delivery of professional social services to children, youth and families; or adult special populations and families; to resolve problems involving client abuse, neglect, dependency, antisocial behavior, exploitation and family dysfunction, which may include economically disadvantaged clients. Selective Requirement Selective Requirements must be met in addition to the job requirements. Applicants who do not possess the selective requirement will not be qualified. Possession of a valid driver's license. Essential Functions Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here. Provides services to advocate for health, safety and welfare or rights of clients and their families and assists them in obtaining needed services. Interviews clients and family members and/or professionals to gather personal, social and background information; works closely with the client and family to formulate a clear description of the client and family’s problems; identify the key forces which maintain the problems; discover resources and strengths available to the client and family to resolve the problems; and identify the blocks, if any, that prevent the client and family from resolving the problems without the intervention of the State agency. Determines eligibility for various social service programs offered by the agency or available in the community. In collaboration with the client and family, and with consultation from a technical superior, develops and implements service/treatment plans, outlining the goals and objectives to be accomplished, methods and techniques to be used, and anticipated results; helps the client and family to obtain community, social and/or therapeutic services and resources needed to accomplish plans and objectives. Conducts individual and family counseling sessions with clients and members of the family to aid in achieving satisfactory social development and adjustment to specific problems and situations. Assesses progress toward goals and makes recommendations on plans such as reclassification, discharge, aftercare, emergency protective placement in emergency or crisis situations, guardianship, petitions or options counseling. Prepares social histories, client progress reports, evaluation and discharge summaries, court reports or petitions; prepares and maintains a variety of records and files pertaining to clients assigned to caseload. Enforces court orders and conditions of community supervision as required. Attends court hearings and other judicial proceedings to answer questions; makes recommendations and prepare progress reports regarding clients. May be called upon to intervene in crisis situations such as potential suicides, assault and battery against clients, and sexual abuse cases. May coordinate with law enforcement and other emergency staff if needed. May be required to isolate and/or physically restrain clients who are acting out. May be required to perform emergency duty which requires being on call for an assigned time period. Job Requirements Job Requirements Paraprofessional health or human service work may include but is not limited to interviewing clients and identifying personal, health, social or financial needs to align with program requirements, or coordinating with community resources to obtain client services. Professional health or human service work may include but is not limited to determining eligibility for and availability of community resources; assisting and connecting clients and their families to needed services; addressing family conflict and engaging crisis resolution; and evaluating progress towards goals.

Requirements

Applicants must possess at least one of the following:
One year of experience in professional health or human service work.
OR Two years' experience in paraprofessional health or human service work. An Associates degree may substitute for one year of paraprofessional experience.
OR Possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher or have an anticipated graduation date within 3 months, with coursework in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services or related field.
Possession of a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Provides services to advocate for health, safety and welfare or rights of clients and their families and assists them in obtaining needed services.
Interviews clients and family members and/or professionals to gather personal, social and background information; works closely with the client and family to formulate a clear description of the client and family’s problems; identify the key forces which maintain the problems; discover resources and strengths available to the client and family to resolve the problems; and identify the blocks, if any, that prevent the client and family from resolving the problems without the intervention of the State agency.
Determines eligibility for various social service programs offered by the agency or available in the community.
In collaboration with the client and family, and with consultation from a technical superior, develops and implements service/treatment plans, outlining the goals and objectives to be accomplished, methods and techniques to be used, and anticipated results; helps the client and family to obtain community, social and/or therapeutic services and resources needed to accomplish plans and objectives.
Conducts individual and family counseling sessions with clients and members of the family to aid in achieving satisfactory social development and adjustment to specific problems and situations.
Assesses progress toward goals and makes recommendations on plans such as reclassification, discharge, aftercare, emergency protective placement in emergency or crisis situations, guardianship, petitions or options counseling.
Prepares social histories, client progress reports, evaluation and discharge summaries, court reports or petitions; prepares and maintains a variety of records and files pertaining to clients assigned to caseload.
Enforces court orders and conditions of community supervision as required.
Attends court hearings and other judicial proceedings to answer questions; makes recommendations and prepare progress reports regarding clients.
May be called upon to intervene in crisis situations such as potential suicides, assault and battery against clients, and sexual abuse cases.
May coordinate with law enforcement and other emergency staff if needed.
May be required to isolate and/or physically restrain clients who are acting out.
May be required to perform emergency duty which requires being on call for an assigned time period.