Family Services Specialist I/II

State of Virginia • Rappahannock, VA

110d • $45,000 • 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. 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 afterhours/weekend coverage of CPS/APS response.

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
• 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

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees