Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services•Lovingston, VA

14d•Onsite

About The Position

This position will be trained to specialize in CPS In Home Services, with potential involvement in Foster Care, Adult Protective Services, Adult Services, Child Protective Services, and Adoption. Based on applicant response, this position may be filled as a Family Services Specialist I (entry-level, under supervision, performing routine casework activities reviewed by a supervisor) or a Family Services Specialist II (full performance level, independently developing and implementing service plans, managing caseloads in Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions).

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field and minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area.
Working knowledge of social work principles and practices.
Working knowledge of human behavior and motivational theory.
Working knowledge of laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas.
Working knowledge of social, economic, and health problems.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle.
Skill in operating a 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.
Must live within 50 mile radius of the office.

Nice To Haves

Previous work experience with the Department of Social Services is desirable.
Previous experience working with social work principles and practices.
Previous experience working with children and families involved with foster care.

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 rule/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, prepare/submits budget estimate and ensures payment of 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.
Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.