Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services • Manassas Park, VA

9d • $70,000

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist I/Intern is an entry-level employee who works under close supervision while training in program areas such as Adult Protective Services, Adult Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/Adoption, Child Care, and CSA. The employee develops and implements individualized service plans and may work across all program areas or specialize in one or more. The position interprets applicable laws, policies, and regulations and informs clients about program rules, regulations, and their right to participate.

The role provides services that may include responding to emergencies in child or adult protective services and/or foster care, performing home visits, and completing other family-services work outside business hours, including weekends and holidays. Participation in community events and engagements is mandatory. The employee also participates in a rotating after-hours on-call schedule and must be willing to work in a community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field, or a bachelor’s degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area, as mandated by 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 a personal computer or laptop with associated software.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; interview and assess needs; counsel and refer clients to resources; develop and implement service plans; make sound judgments within applicable laws, policies, and regulations; respond to client emotions; plan and manage work activities, service delivery, reports, correspondence, and records; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay current with social-work trends and developments.
• Willingness to participate in a rotating after-hours on-call schedule.
• Willingness to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
• Applicants may be subject to criminal-history, central-registry, DMV/driving-record, and pre-employment drug-screen checks. The investigation may include fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification and references, education verification, relevant credit checks, and other checks requested by the hiring authority. Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory results of required checks and screenings.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions; light work involving exertion of up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to 10 pounds frequently, or negligible force constantly.

Nice To Haves

• BSW or MSW degree.
• Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license.
• Experience in OASIS.
• Experience working in a Local Department of Social Services.
• Family Services Specialist I internship experience within a local department of social services agency providing direct services to children and families.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized service plans.
• Interpret laws, policies, and regulations relevant to assigned program areas.
• Inform clients about related service-program rules, regulations, and their right to participate.
• Provide after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in child or adult protective services and/or foster care.
• Perform home visits and other Family Services work outside business hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Participate in community events and engagements.
• Work in the community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency, if required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level