Family Services Specialist I

New LHRC External Career Site•Harrisonburg, VA

11d

About The Position

Under direct supervision, performs social work and case management in the provision of services for families referred directly from Child Protective Services. Employee is responsible for assessing the strengths and needs of high-risk families and providing comprehensive services to address concerns regarding child safety, risk of child abuse and neglect and/or foster care prevention. Workers will perform case management, provide crisis intervention, assess client needs, coordinate provision of needed services, and maintain accurate case records. Work will regularly involve coordination, referral and collaboration with other community service providers and professionals. This position is essential. Personnel occupying this position may be scheduled to work regardless of weather conditions and/or when general County offices are closed. While typical office hours are expected, employees must be flexible in meeting the needs of the families on their caseload.

Requirements

Ability to assess child safety, risk and protective capacity and provide or coordinate appropriate intervention as needed.
Knowledge of social, economic and health problems; general knowledge of social institutions and the methods of assistance.
Possess critical thinking skills, ability to apply critical thinking, knowledge, and research to multiple scenarios in the field, as well as an office setting.
Ability to meet deadlines and maintain case documentation within a case management system.
Ability to work collaboratively with families to identify solutions to specific issues and/or challenges such as parenting, behavior management, childcare, financial stability, housing mental health, substance abuse, etc.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with clients, coworkers, community professionals, supervisors, and members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
Ability to use independent judgment and work with indirect supervision as situations warrant.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency with computers and related software programs.
Ability to write with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Ability to speak with and before others with poise, professionalism and confidence.
Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with an emergency.
Ability to testify and present accurate case information in court.
Bachelor’s Degree Social Services, Sociology, Human Services, Psychology or closely related field accompanied by a minimum of one (1) to two (2) years’ experience in a human service related area or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
Must possess and maintain a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license.
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/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

Bilingual applicants encouraged.

Responsibilities

Informs clients of In-Home service program regulations and their right to participate.
Interprets laws, policies, and regulations as applied to specific areas of responsibility.
Interviews and assesses clients through a trauma-informed lens to identify strengths, needs and other relevant factors such as safety concerns, risk factors, adverse childhood experiences, support systems, etc.
Collaborates with private and community service providers and resources to ensure clients receive appropriate services.
Make sound judgements within the framework of existing laws, policies and regulations.
Respond to client’s emotions in order to accomplish service objectives.
Presents cases to Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) to determine Child Services Act funding for appropriate services.
Provides case management services that includes completing service plans, safety assessments, risk reassessments, CANS, and reasonable candidacy assessments.
Monitoring families to ensure compliance while constantly re-evaluating child safety and the needs of the family.
Facilitates Child and Family Team Meetings.
Performs other duties as assigned to ensure child safety and improve outcomes in families.