Family Services Specialist I - In Home & Prevention

City of Lynchburg•Lynchburg, VA

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist I provides ongoing protective and rehabilitative services to children and families after a family assessment or founded Child Protective Services investigation establishes high or very high risk to a child. The specialist works with families to identify strengths and needs and develop service plans aimed at keeping children safe. The role provides direct family services and case management, assesses child safety and caregiver protective capacity, and coordinates services and resources. The position involves family partnership and school meetings, court attendance and testimony, work with kinship providers, and home and community visits. It also includes comprehensive assessments, crisis response, counseling and referrals, community collaboration, documentation, and the interpretation and application of policies, regulations, and laws. The role has no supervisory responsibilities. Advancement opportunities are available through a pay progression plan.

Requirements

A baccalaureate degree in a human services field, or a baccalaureate degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate and related experience in a human services-related area.
Candidates who do not meet the degree requirement at application must be in their last semester of a degree program in a human services field.
Provide a copy of college transcript if offered the position.
Valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable under City criteria.
Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check, drug and alcohol screen, and Child Protective Services Registry check.
Successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management System training within 90 days of employment; higher levels of NIMS training may also be required.

Responsibilities

Make comprehensive assessments of families and clients in crisis.
Analyze needs and coordinate resources to support families and clients.
Develop and implement plans of action with direct input from families and clients.
Engage families, clients, and community members in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and goal achievement.
Stabilize and improve living and interpersonal skills through counseling and referrals to other resources.
Make complex and critical decisions involving families and clients in crisis, including under potentially adverse conditions.
Perform scheduled and unscheduled field visits, including in frequently volatile and dangerous environments.
Network and collaborate extensively with public and private community and professional agencies.
Provide analysis, recommendations, and testimony in complex court proceedings; thoroughly assess and document family and client situations and assist with recommendations on technical court matters.
Interpret, implement, and administer policies, regulations, and laws, and refine complex procedures.
Participate in Family Partnerships meetings and school meetings, attend and testify in court, work with kinship providers, and complete home and community visits.
Complete service plans with families and assess child safety and caregiver protective capacity.
Assist in evaluating programs and services provided to families and clients.
Process financial documentation related to family and client services.
Explain agency programs to other agencies, community groups, and associations.
Identify homes suitable for placement of children and adults.
Research and develop community resources, give presentations, and participate in interagency meetings, including FAPT, eligibility, and school IEP meetings.
Transport clients to medical and mental health appointments.
Assist in operating emergency shelters and provide child protective services intake coverage when necessary.
Accept special assignments during unusual situations or a declared State of Emergency to help ensure appropriate service delivery.