FAMILY SERVICE WORKER

About the position

The Family Service Worker is responsible for providing protective foster care and supportive services for abused or neglected children. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy. The Family Service Worker is expected to work non-standard hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and be on a 24-hour on-call rotation for up to 7 days at a time. The role involves extensive in-state travel and requires a valid Arkansas Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Investigates suspected child abuse and neglect complaints by making on-site visits, securing background information, and interviewing parties involved.
• Discusses investigative findings and observations with supervisor and recommends the opening of protective services, foster care, or supportive services cases.
• Intervenes in crisis situations, removes the child from the home if the situation is life threatening, and arranges for temporary placement in foster homes, group homes, or treatment facilities.
• Develops a case plan to establish goals, objectives, tasks and time frames for all parties involved in the case.
• Provides counseling and guidance to clients in defining their needs, interests, and courses of action and refers clients to other professionals, agencies, services, or community resources appropriate to clients' problems.
• Recruits and trains families, conducts home studies and family assessments to determine appropriate child placements, and visits clients and/or foster parents on a regular basis to monitor progress toward case objectives.
• Documents all case work activities and developments and prepares court reports for custody hearings and presents testimony when necessary.

Requirements

• The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, or a related field.
• Successful completion of a six month training class within agency core training period.
• Ability to evaluate family problems and develop a plan of action for improving relationships.
• Ability to interview and obtain information.
• Ability to prepare, present, and review oral and written technical and confidential information and reports.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in working with children and/or families.
• Some experience with community engagement or community resources.
• Public speaking and computer experience preferred.
• Organizational skills are a must.

Benefits

• Pension
• Maternity leave
• Paid state holidays