Family Services Specialist II- Family Preservation Services Worker (Albemarle)

Virginia Department of Social Services • Charlottesville, VA

3d • $74,258 - $82,075

About The Position

Performs responsible, equitable, and professional In-Home Services casework in an inclusive team environment, applying social work and counseling principles and policies. Uses strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches to partner with families facing challenges that place their children at high risk of abuse, neglect, foster care, or out-of-home placement. The role works to prevent recurrence of abuse or neglect and preserve families by building their capacity to provide safe, stable, and nurturing environments, while empowering clients and families toward self-sufficiency. It requires specialized knowledge of department, local, state, and federal policies, along with careful maintenance of case files that may be confidential or sensitive.

The worker develops and implements family-specific psychosocial case plans; provides assessments, services, and clinical case management; helps families access resources and connect with natural supports; and collaborates with community partners and multidisciplinary teams. The position includes applying laws and regulations, maintaining thorough case records, coordinating court interventions, and providing rotating on-call coverage after hours and on weekends for emergencies involving children. Work takes place in homes, including remote rural areas, as well as in an office setting, with some administrative work and meetings possible virtually. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field, or a bachelor's degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area.
• Working knowledge of social work principles and practices, current social, economic, and health problems, social institutions and community resources, and helping-process methods.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior; child and adolescent growth and development; family structure and dynamics; and the impact of physical and mental conditions on families.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and the impact of trauma, systemic discrimination, and intergenerational disadvantage, including effective intervention strategies.
• Skills in critical thinking, crisis intervention and de-escalation, decision-making, independent judgment, and using a personal computer with associated software.
• Ability to identify social problems, client strengths and needs, and assess individuals' and families' ability to use services in problem-solving.
• Ability to develop rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds, respect others' rights and differences, and work effectively with individuals and families.
• Ability to plan and organize work; understand and interpret laws, policies, and regulations; and communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, other professionals, agencies, and the public.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and prepare reports and maintain records.
• Must drive and meet the County's safe driver policy eligibility requirements.
• Must be willing to travel occasionally overnight, work beyond regular hours, and be on call.
• May be subject to criminal history and central registry background checks.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the assigned program area and completion of required training programs, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• BSW, MSW, or related master's degree.
• Commonwealth of Virginia Social Work license.

Responsibilities

• Partner with families in In-Home Services cases to develop and implement individualized psychosocial case plans that increase child safety, reduce risk, and build on family strengths.
• Provide services and conduct assessments using strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally humble, and family-centered approaches.
• Provide clinical case management using family-systems treatment models, including ongoing assessment, planning, intervention, collaboration, and evaluation.
• Use family engagement and family-finding practices to connect children and families with natural supports and involve support networks and community partners in case planning.
• Participate in multidisciplinary and interagency teams and coordinate services with community partners through home and school visits and team meetings.
• Apply critical thinking, laws, policies, and regulations in casework decisions; plan, oversee, and participate in court interventions to protect children and achieve safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Maintain thorough case records and required documentation; inform clients of their rights and responsibilities; and follow funding authorization and payment requirements.
• Provide rotating after-hours and weekend on-call coverage for child abuse or neglect emergencies and other situations requiring immediate attention involving children in the Department of Social Services' legal custody.
• Perform other duties as required.

What This Job Offers

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