Family Services Specialist I/II (In-Home)

Virginia Department of Social Services•Radford, VA

7d•$55,000 - $70,000

About The Position

Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan. The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist.

Requirements

Knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
Demonstrated ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed;
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client;
Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations;
Demonstrated ability to respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives;
Demonstrated ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities;
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships;
Demonstrated ability to stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the human services field, including Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Counseling and Guidance, Counselor Education, Human Services, Sociology, Family and Child Development, Aging Studies, Gerontology, Criminal Justice with a minor in one of the above studies, or other related degrees determined by the Department of Human Resources based on the similarity of the curriculum and course content.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years of appropriate and related, full-time equivalent experience in a human services related area.
Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with City Driving Standards.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Current experience working for Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) or have prior VDSS experience in Child Protective Services (CPS)
Experience in Child Welfare
Experience or knowledge of OASIS
Experience writing service plans, reports, or other related types of reports

Responsibilities

Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility;
Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned;
Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility;
Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems.
Informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate;
Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans;
Provides case management services to monitor compliance;
Manages program waiting lists;
Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services;
Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements;
Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers;
Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility;
Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and
Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.