Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services•Lovingston, VA

9d•$55,000 - $63,000

About The Position

This position will be trained to specialize in Adoption, Local Resource Families, and CSA, while potentially working in Foster Care, Adult Protective Services, Adult Services, Child Protective Services, and CPS-In Home. Depending on applicants’ qualifications and the posting response, the position may be filled at the Family Services Specialist I or II level. A Family Services Specialist I is an entry-level employee working under close supervision while training in program areas including Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. The employee performs routine entry-level casework, generally subject to supervisory review before case action is implemented. A Family Services Specialist II works at the full-performance level, independently developing and implementing individualized service plans and handling caseloads in Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions, seeking supervisory guidance for unusual situations or when required by policy. General work includes interpreting laws, policies, and regulations; monitoring and coordinating assigned programs and services; interviewing clients and assessing needs and relevant circumstances; explaining program rules and participation rights; presenting cases and writing and implementing service plans; monitoring compliance through case management; managing waiting lists; tracking expenditures and preparing budget estimates; arranging service payments; completing planning and reporting requirements; coordinating with other agencies and multidisciplinary teams; monitoring programs; serving as a resource to clients and the community; and providing after-hours on-call coverage and responding to emergencies in child or adult protective services and/or foster care. The position requires after-hours on-call availability for adult and child protective services, residence within a 50-mile radius of the office, and willingness to work in a community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or other emergency. Applicants may be subject to criminal-history, central-registry, driving-record, employment, education, reference, and other relevant checks, as well as a pre-employment drug screen. Finalists must submit fingerprints and personal descriptive information for required criminal-history and central-registry checks. Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory results.

Requirements

Minimum of 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 Human Services experience, 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 with associated software.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to interview, assess needs, counsel, and refer clients to other resources as needed.
Ability to develop and implement service plans to ensure appropriate services are delivered.
Ability to make sound judgments within applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
Ability to respond to clients’ emotions to accomplish service objectives.
Ability to plan and manage work activities, service delivery, reports, correspondence, recordkeeping, and related tasks.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
Ability to stay current with trends and developments in social work.
Must provide after-hours on-call coverage for adult and child protective services.
Must live within a 50-mile radius of the office.
Must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency.
Finalist must submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for required criminal-history and Central Registry checks; employment is contingent on satisfactory screening results.

Nice To Haves

A BSW or MSW degree.
A Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license.

Responsibilities

Interpret laws, policies, and regulations applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
Monitor, coordinate, and administer assigned programs and coordinate services.
Interview customers and assess their needs and relevant factors, including education or skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems.
Inform clients about related service-program rules, regulations, and their right to participate.
Present cases to determine appropriate services and write and implement service plans.
Provide case management services and monitor client compliance.
Manage program waiting lists.
Track expenditures, prepare and submit budget estimates, and ensure payment for services.
Complete required federal, state, and local planning and reporting.
Coordinate with other agencies and participate in multidisciplinary and interagency teams.
Monitor programs in the assigned area of responsibility.
Serve as a resource to clients and the community in areas of expertise.
Provide after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in child or adult protective services and/or foster care.
Develop and implement individualized service plans and manage assigned caseloads, independently at the Family Services Specialist II level.
Work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.