Family Services Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Alexandria, VA

13h•$67,509 - $90,429•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Alexandria, a vibrant and diverse city bordering Washington D.C., is seeking a Family Services Specialist II for its Department of Community and Human Services. This department provides essential safety net services to promote well-being, safety, and self-sufficiency among city residents. The Family Services Specialist II role is at the specialist level within the Family Services class series, focusing on complex duties such as interviewing and investigating cases of suspected child/adult abuse or neglect, managing out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions. This position involves testifying in legal proceedings and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employees in this role engage with others and influence outcomes through participation in task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Program areas typically include Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Some positions may also involve Child Care and Employment Services. The Family Services Specialist II provides intensive, specialized, and culturally competent social work services, utilizing Family Engagement best practices like Family Partnership Meetings (FPMs) and Family Group Conferences (FGCs) to enhance child safety, stability, permanency, and family connection. The department emphasizes a racial equity approach in all decision-making.

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.
Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated software and the operation of a motor vehicle.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed.
Demonstrated ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a human services field.
Some relevant experience.
Some social work experience.
Bilingual or multilingual proficiency, particularly in English and Spanish or other languages commonly spoken within the community.

Responsibilities

Provides case consultation around referrals for Family Engagement best practices.
Collaborates with colleagues and community service providers throughout the Family Engagement process.
Prepares participants for FPMs and FGCs, facilitates the meetings, and completes follow up activities on assigned cases.
Applies clinical and strength-based interventions that help the family identify and utilize their strengths throughout the FPM and FGC process.
Applies culturally based interviewing and assessment skills and implements and utilizes them effectively.
Utilizes clinical assessments and case collaboration to ensure that issues related to safety planning are addressed in the preparation of every Family Engagement meeting and makes accommodations for safe participation, if needed and appropriate.
Advocates for all family members to take a major role in FPMs and the primary role in FGCs in planning their children’s safety, stability, permanency, and family connections along with DCHS and other service providers.
Assesses that the developed plans address risk and safety issues and meets the requirements of federal, state, and local policies and procedures.
Documents case contacts and FPM plans in OASIS.
Participates in program evaluation efforts.
Participates in ongoing skills training to develop expertise in current Family Engagement practices.
Acts as a liaison and provides training to colleagues and community service providers in Family Engagement best practices.
Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor, Program Manager or Chief of Child Welfare.
Serve on the afterhours on call rotation for Foster Care.
Serve as a VEMAT rater as part of the department’s rotating VEMAT team, participating in assessments of children in foster care to determine their behavioral, emotional, and physical/personal care needs and the appropriate level of enhanced maintenance support.