Family Services Specialist I/II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Washington, VA

22d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Rappahannock County Department of Social Services seeks an energetic and versatile team player, committed to working towards the best outcomes possible for youth and families to join our agency in a Family Services Specialist position. Primary assignment area is child welfare. Relocation assistance is available for new hires needing to relocate to within 60 travel minutes of the agency. Signing Bonus possible for highly qualified candidates. Rappahannock County is a rural county in the northern region of Virginia with a population of approximately 7,400. The agency office is in the town of Washington, Virginia, approximately 120 miles northwest of Richmond and 65 miles southwest of Washington, DC. The town is surrounded by the beautiful Blueridge Mountains and rolling farmlands. As an agency, we believe in the power of the team, exercising creativity and commitment in meeting the needs of our clients and community, and growing our agency and ourselves. Work-Life harmony is an agency core value. Upon demonstrating an acceptable level of proficiency in areas of assignment and verification of reliable and secure internet connection, a Family Services Specialist is eligible for a hybrid telework workweek of 1 day remote/4 days on-site, with additional remote days for virtual training and/or other events determined on a case-by-case basis. Family Services Specialists serve in a rotating schedule of on-call for after-hours/weekend coverage of CPS/APS response. The Family Services Specialist I position represents the introductory level of the Family Services Specialist occupational group. Employees work under close supervision while training in programs areas such as In Home (formerly Prevention), Foster Care and Adoption, Child Protective Services, and Adult Protective Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities. Upon completion of all required new worker trainings and demonstration of acceptable levels of knowledge and proficiency in responsibilities, the Family Services Specialist I is administratively moved to a Family Services Specialist II with the accompanying salary adjustment included in the agency’s annual compensation plan active at time of promotion to II status. 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. The Family Services Specialist II position represents the full performance level of the Family Services Specialist occupational group. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods and basic service level caseloads in one or more program areas. Employees perform all tasks independently with general supervision, and seek expanded supervisory advice on unusual situations, or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement. The Family Services Specialist II is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist III by the latter's functioning at the advanced level, and becoming more specialized in program areas and assuming more complex duties (such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions).

Requirements

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.
Some 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 (Microsoft Office including Word and Excel).
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; plan and manage own work activities; and establish and maintain effective relationships.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a BSW or MSW degree is desirable.
Experience working directly with diverse groups of clients, co-workers and community agencies in a criminal justice and/or human services setting.
Experience working with families that have been impacted by substance abuse disorders and/or generational poverty.
Working knowledge of the Practice Profiles (Advocating, Assessing, Collaborating, Communicating, Demonstrating Cultural and Diversity Competence, Documenting, Engaging, Evaluating, Implementing, Partnering and Planning).
Experience working with families to prevent out of home placements.
Demonstrated ability to provide Court testimony.
Considerable knowledge and/or public child welfare experience: Child Protective Services (CPS), Foster Care, In-Home, Adoption.
Experience in a local VA DSS with Foster Care or CPS case management as a Family Services Specialist or like position.

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 plan
Provides case management services to monitor compliance
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
Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care