Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/ Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/ Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approval, the employee shall be redefined by the local agency compensation plan. The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist. This position coordinates with state agency to conduct and coordinate Quality Assurance and Accountability Reviews, Regional Foster Care case reviews, adoption reviews, and resource home reviews, as well as coordinates in-state and Federal Child and Family Services Review. This position conducts and coordinates internal agency reviews for CSA and IVE funded foster care cases.

Requirements

Some Knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; social, economic, and health problems.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle and 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 judgements with a framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations.
Demonstrated ability to respond to client’s emotions in order to accomplish service 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 social work field.
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services Field or minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in any field with minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in Human Services area as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, OMV/driving record check, and must be able to meet agency insurance policy standards. and/or pre-employment drug screen.
The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.
Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
This position is covered under Code of Virginia §63.2-1601.1 or §63.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.

Nice To Haves

Possess of a BSE or MSW degree and a Commonwealth Social Worker license are desirable.

Responsibilities

Coordinates with state agency to conduct and coordinate Quality Assurance and Accountability Reviews, Regional Foster Care case reviews, adoption reviews, and resource home reviews.
Coordinates in-state and Federal Child and Family Services Review.
Conducts and coordinates internal agency reviews for CSA and IVE funded foster care cases.
Complete a monthly staffing with Supervisor to ensue effective development of processes and outcomes.
Prepare for and follow directions from Supervisor during monthly staffings.
Conduct Case Reading of Foster Care records.
Contact providers attached to cases to inquire about quality of service, frequency of service and report information to Family Services Manager.
Conduct program training for staff (one on one/group setting), answer questions related to case documentation standard and quality case documentation.
Schedule and attend all mandated program training requirements and related training in reference to Quality Assurance and Foster Care per year to help support the agency mission and goals.
Keep monthly tracking sheets due the 5th of the current month for prior month.