Family Services Specialist I
Virginia Department of Social Services•Harrisonburg, VA
•$42,542 - $79,088
About The Position
This is a professional, entry-level position for Child Protective Services (CPS). The Family Services Specialist I works under close supervision while being trained in Child Protective Services, Family Assessment and Investigation cases, on-going cases, and Truancy Cases. This position specializes in program areas such as interviewing/assessing child abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianship, emergency protective orders, testifying in legal proceedings, and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employees will have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach.
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 that might be needed for foster children
- Skill in operation of a personal computer and the associated software
- Skill in the operation of a motor vehicle
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client
- Ability to analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations
- Ability to respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives
- Ability to work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy
- Ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports and relationships with others
- 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 to include driving record that meets agency standard
Nice To Haves
- Prior work experience in a human services field
- 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 and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
- 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
- Internship in a human services field
Responsibilities
- Interviewing/assessing of child abuse/neglect
- Out-of-home placements
- Guardianship
- Emergency protective orders
- Testifying in legal proceedings
- Placing children in foster/adoptive homes
- Participating on task forces
- Strategic planning
- Mentoring
- Teaching
- Conducting outreach
- Interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed
- Investigate high risk cases
- Testify in court proceedings
- Develop and implement service plans
- Analyze case information to make sound judgments
- Respond to client's emotions
- Work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy
- Plan and manage own work activities
- Prepare reports
- Stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field
- Interview, collect data, gather information and investigate related to Social Service programs
Benefits
- Salary Range $42,542-$79,088
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
