Family Services Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Alexandria, VA

13h•$67,509 - $90,429•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Alexandria, a vibrant and diverse community, is seeking a Family Services Specialist II to join the Department of Community and Human Services. This specialist-level role focuses on providing intensive and specialized, culturally competent social work services to individuals and families, with a strong emphasis on a racial equity approach. The position plays a critical role in identifying, engaging, assessing, and training prospective resource families (foster parents, foster-to-adopt families, and kinship caregivers) who are essential partners in providing care for children who cannot live with their parents and supporting reunification efforts. Telework may be available in accordance with City policy.

Requirements

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 (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).
Considerable 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.
Considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices.
Considerable knowledge of laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas.
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated software.
Skill in the operation of a motor vehicle.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to develop and present training programs and other presentations.
Demonstrated ability to develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a human services field.
Some relevant experience.
Master’s degree in social work.

Responsibilities

Provides approved curriculum to resource parent and fictive kin applicants.
Assesses applicants understanding of training materials, their ability to participate in the resource parent program, and their ability to provide a safe, nurturing home for a child in need.
Prepares written resource home assessments and ICPC assessments utilizing information gathered through training, face-to-face interviews, collateral interviews, and home visits; monitors homes after initial approval.
Provides case management of resource homes including entering contacts into OASIS statewide system, teaming with the placement coordinator on placement options and support of families, adding families to the Resource Home database, and gathering statistical data.
Provides supportive counseling to resource families in identifying and resolving emotionally challenging decisions.
Provides crisis intervention on a timely basis to resource families who are caring for children placed in their home.
Makes presentations to community groups, schools, and other professional groups on the need for resource parents in the City of Alexandria.
Participates in the development and implementation of a recruitment plan to increase the resource families of color.
Assists in the development of agency-approved resource home recruitment materials such as brochures, media campaigns, and events.
Responsible for recruitment, marketing materials, and posting information for meetings (city website, one church one child, Alexandria Gazette, etc.); holding regular, timely in-person, community, or virtual foster parent information meetings; ability to work evenings and weekends at community recruitment events for effective recruitment.
Represents the agency by serving on community workgroups and regional professional groups.
Teams with the Resource Parent Placement Coordinator, as needed, on placement decisions.
Assists the unit in organizing special training and recognition events for agency-approved resource parents.
Conducts reassessment visits with approved resource families to maintain certification.
Participates in the Adoption Placement Panel process.
Serves as a policy expert in the area of resource home approval guidance.
Teams with unit members to develop recruitment and training materials.
Participates in Family Partnership Meetings, Treatment Team Meetings, and case consultations as requested to support resource families and help the team in making decisions.
Provides after-hours on-call on a rotating basis.
Performs related work as required.