Family Services Specialist I
About The Position
This is a professional, entry-level position in Child Protective Services. The Family Services Specialist I works under close supervision while being trained in various aspects of Child Protective Services, 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. Employees will have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating in task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting 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
- Requires valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license
- Requires 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
- 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 and assessing child abuse/neglect
- Managing out-of-home placements
- Handling guardianship cases
- Processing emergency protective orders
- Testifying in legal proceedings
- Placing children in foster/adoptive homes
- Participating on task forces
- Engaging in strategic planning
- Mentoring
- Teaching
- Conducting outreach
- Interviewing clients
- Assessing client needs
- Counseling clients
- Referring clients to other resources
- Investigating high-risk cases
- Testifying in court proceedings
- Developing and implementing service plans
- Analyzing case information to make sound judgments
- Responding to client emotions to accomplish service objectives
- Working in stressful situations and maintaining diplomacy
- Planning and managing own work activities
- Preparing reports
- Managing relationships with others
- Staying abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field
- Interviewing, collecting data, and gathering information related to Social Service programs
- Conducting meetings
- Assessing the strengths and needs of children and families
Benefits
- Salary Range $55,000-$79,088
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
