Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services • Lovingston, VA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This job announcement is a courtesy job post for the Nelson County local Social Services agency. It is not a position of the Virginia Department of Social Services or any other Commonwealth of Virginia agency. Local employment opportunities may also be available through the local agency’s city or county website/job board(s).

This position will be trained to specialize in CPS, not to exclude Foster Care, Adult Protective Services, Adult Services, Child Protective Services- In Home, and Adoption.

Based upon response to this posting, this position may be filled as a Family Services Specialist I. Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete listing of work experience and qualifications on the application form.

A Family Services Specialist I represents entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine entry level casework activities and the casework is usually reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing case action.

Requirements

• Some knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.
• Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.
• Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and 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.
• Must live within 50 mile radius of the office
• Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen.
• The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police , FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks ( relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
• This position is covered under Code of Virginia 63.2-1601.1 or 63.2-1720 requiring finalist candidate to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility; monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned; coordinates services within specific area of responsibility; interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems; informs clients of related service programs rule/regulations, and right to participate; presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans; provides case management services to monitor compliance; manages program waiting lists; tracks expenditures, prepare/submits budget estimate and ensures payment of services; completes necessary federal, state, and local planning and reporting requirements; coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers; conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility; serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.
• After hours on-call for adult and child protective services
• Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level