Family Services Specialist I

City of Portsmouth•Portsmouth, VA

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs professional work protecting, supporting, placing, and caring for children, adults, and families who need services, resources, referrals, or treatment. The position reports to the Family Services Supervisor and is assigned to the Foster Care Unit. The work includes case management, service planning, home visits, client advocacy, investigations, eligibility determinations, court-related duties, and coordination with public agencies and community partners. The specialist responds to high-risk situations, assesses client and family needs, and supports safety, self-care, family preservation, reunification, and permanency. The role also requires accurate records and reports, compliance with Virginia Department of Social Services timeframes, and participation in a 24-hour on-call rotation. During a declared city emergency, the employee may be required to perform shelter duty and other duties supporting community safety and care.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field such as Social Work, Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, Family and Child Development, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Gerontology, or Guidance and Counseling; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in any field plus 1–2 years of related experience.
Acceptable general background check, including local, state, and federal criminal history and sex offender registry checks.
Must not be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Availability for a 24-hour rotational on-call schedule to respond to emergencies and routine situations.
Completion of mandatory child protective services and adult protective services training.
Ability to operate common automated office equipment and a motor vehicle.
Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 20 pounds frequently or constantly; work may involve walking, driving, or standing for periods of time.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, prepare reports and records, explain procedures, and understand legal, medical, and insurance terminology.
Ability to maintain accurate participant records, analyze information, exercise judgment, handle confidential files discreetly, and work effectively with clients and the public.
Ability to adapt to varied stress levels, including interactions with people under stress or the influence of substances.

Responsibilities

Work with children and families who may be at risk of foster care placement and facilitate treatment and prevention services addressing mental health, substance use disorders, and parenting skills.
Visit children in foster care, develop and implement plans to meet client needs, and establish stability and permanency plans.
Determine eligibility for childcare services.
Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly and disabled individuals, and screen for eligibility for geriatric assistance under established Medicaid guidelines.
Plan and coordinate case-management services for individuals and families; interview clients, identify barriers, assess needs, and develop and implement service plans.
Implement services focused on safety, self-care, family preservation, and family reunification; monitor progress and complete routine paperwork within Virginia Department of Social Services timeframes.
Initiate or approve credit authorizations and purchase orders for client needs and services, and maintain financial records.
Travel and transport children, conduct home visits, counsel clients, and advocate for clients’ rights.
Initiate court petitions, prepare written reports for court, attend hearings, testify as necessary, and represent the agency in civil and criminal proceedings.
Coordinate with local law enforcement when necessary.
Plan and attend meetings and work with courts, public schools, treatment programs, Family Assessment Planning Teams, and other community partners.
Provide agency information and resources to the community and facilitate or assist with agency groups.
Evaluate high-risk situations and take appropriate measures to ensure children’s safety; determine appropriate actions and complete mandated state notifications.
Arrange necessary medical examinations and conduct detailed assessments of family history and strengths, mental capacity, physical development, and abuse incidents.
Interview and examine clients for possible injuries or life-threatening situations.
Perform other duties as assigned, with individual assignments determined by the supervisor based on workload and department needs.
Attend work regularly, meet deadlines, organize and prioritize work, maintain accurate records, and communicate effectively with clients, coworkers, professionals, and the public.