Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

This is a professional, entry-level position within Child Protective Services (CPS). The Family Services Specialist I works under close supervision while being trained in various aspects of CPS, including Family Assessment and Investigation cases, ongoing cases, and Truancy Cases. This role specializes in program areas such as interviewing and assessing child abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianship, emergency protective orders, testifying in legal proceedings, and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. The position involves interpreting laws, policies, and regulations, monitoring and coordinating programs, interviewing and assessing customer needs, informing clients of program rules and rights, presenting cases, writing and implementing service plans, providing case management, managing waiting lists, tracking expenditures, preparing budget estimates, ensuring payment for services, and completing reporting requirements. The role also requires coordination with other agencies, participation in multi-disciplinary teams, overall program monitoring, serving as a community resource, and providing after-hours on-call coverage and emergency response in child/adult protective services and foster care. Employees will have contact with others and influence outcomes through task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and outreach. This position may report to the Assistant Director, Child Protective Services Supervisor, or a Senior Worker.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a human service field or a Bachelor's Degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years related experience
Some knowledge of social work principles and practices
Some knowledge of human behavior and motivational theory
Some knowledge of social, economic, and health problems
Knowledge of relevant community and public resources for foster children
Skill in operation of a personal computer and associated software
Skill in operation of a motor vehicle
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients
Ability to investigate high risk cases
Ability to testify in court proceedings
Ability to develop and implement service plans
Ability to analyze case information to make sound judgments
Ability to respond to client's emotions to accomplish services objectives
Ability to work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy
Ability to plan and manage own work activities
Ability to stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field
Demonstrated ability to interview, collect data, gather information and investigate related to Social Service programs
Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license
Driving record that meets agency standard

Nice To Haves

Prior work experience in a human services field
Internship in a human services field
Current or prior work experience in a local department of social services office
Proficiency in Microsoft Word
Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker License BSW/MSW
Bilingual English/Spanish
Experience in assigned program area
Completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience
Experience with a local Department of Social Services, Community Service Board or other agency that provides direct services to children, adults and/or families
Experience working with community partners such as: Police Department, School System, County Administrator, Community Service Board, Community Policy Management Team, Family Assessment Planning Team and Faith Based agencies
Experience working with families, conducting meetings and assessing the strengths and needs of children and families
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

Responsibilities

Interviewing/assessing of child abuse/neglect
Managing out-of-home placements
Handling guardianship
Processing emergency protective orders
Testifying in legal proceedings
Placing children in foster/adoptive homes
Interpreting laws, policies and regulations
Monitoring, coordinating and administering specific programs
Coordinating services within specific area of responsibility
Interviewing and assessing customer needs and other relevant factors
Informing clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate
Presenting cases to determine appropriate services
Writing/implementing service plans
Providing case management services to monitor compliance
Managing program waiting lists
Tracking expenditures
Preparing/submitting budget estimates
Ensuring payment for services
Completing necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements
Coordinating with other agencies
Participating in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams
Conducting overall monitoring of programs
Serving as resource to clients and the community
Providing after hours on-call coverage
Responding to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care
Participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach