Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a professional position within the Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services District, focusing on Adult Services and Adult Protective Services. The role involves investigating allegations of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation, managing guardianship reports, initiating protective orders, testifying in legal proceedings, evaluating individuals for waived services, and assisting with placements in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The position requires participation in task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and community outreach. Employees will be on-call for evening and weekend emergencies. Upon completion of training and necessary approvals, the employee will be reclassified to Family Services Specialist II with a potential pay increase.

Requirements

Some knowledge of social work principles and practices.
Some knowledge of human behavior and motivational theory.
Some 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.
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a 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.
Possession of a Virginia Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one prior to hiring.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Prior work experience in a local department of social services office/human services setting/or internship in a human services or social services.
Bilingual English/Spanish.
Experience working with the elderly, disabled or those with mental illnesses.

Responsibilities

Interviewing individuals and investigating allegations of suspected adult abuse, neglect and /or exploitation.
Reviewing annual guardianship reports.
Initiating emergency protective orders.
Testifying in legal proceedings.
Evaluating individuals for waived services.
Assisting adults with placement in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching and conduct outreach.
Interpreting laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility.
Monitoring, coordinating and administering specific programs as assigned.
Coordinating services within specific area of responsibility.
Interviewing and assessing customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems.
Informing clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate.
Presenting cases to determine appropriate services and writing/implementing service plans.
Providing case management services to monitor compliance.
Managing program waiting lists.
Tracking expenditures, preparing/submitting budget estimates and ensuring payment for services.
Completing necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements.
Coordinating with other agencies and participating in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers.
Conducting overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility.
Serving as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise.
Providing after hours on-call coverage and responding to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.