Family Services Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Rustburg, VA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a sensitive and essential position. You may be required to work during times of public health emergencies to meet program and operational requirements. This position will gather and process accurate, comprehensive information to assess family strengths and needs while developing an individual and objective plan for safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency; conduct employment counseling to interview/assess client’s employability and/or child care needs; monitor client’s job search activities; communicate orally with clients and other professionals; inform clients of other available services; share and disseminate information with all involved parties while maintaining client confidentiality; engage with clients in a manner to make all informed decisions; empower clients to recognize needs in order to protect children, facilitate change; complete necessary planning and reporting requirements to comply with the Employment and Training Annual Plan and program guidance; plan, organize, and coordinate work to ensure program activities are implemented/maintained; facilitate/coordinate Job Readiness class; recruit non-profit agencies for participation in the Community Work Experience Program; explain responsibilities and expectations of Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) and Child Care programs; assist in managing Child Care Program including Service Intake; coordinate and conduct office and field visits; interpret laws, policies, and regulations to ensure duties are performed in compliance with Federal, State, Local, and Agency standards, guidelines, regulations, policies, and laws; document case records of client contact/activity and enter data accurately and timely in OASIS and/or the Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS); serve as Family Partnership Meeting (FPM) facilitator and Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT) rater; prepares reports for local and state administration; may provide after hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in child and adult protective services and/or foster care. Participate in Emergency Shelter training and exercises and staff emergency shelter during disaster periods.

Requirements

Working knowledge of principles and practices of assigned human services programs.
Working knowledge of local service agencies and organizations, and departmental programs and activities.
Working knowledge of program management and development.
Working knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and standards related to the program.
Working knowledge of program terminology, principles, and methods utilized in the program.
Working knowledge of human behavior; individual differences, personalities, and interests/motivations.
Working knowledge of group behavior and dynamics.
Working knowledge of employment counseling, job development/placement.
Working knowledge of social and economic issues.
Skill in operating a computer to enter, retrieve, or modify data.
Skill in the use of spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, e-mail, Internet, or other computer programs.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle.
Skill in developing and implementing realistic service plans to ensure delivery of appropriate services.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with client, staff, and community partners.
Demonstrated ability to gather and interpret data, assess client needs.
Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and evaluate program activities.
Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with client, staff, agencies, and community partners.
Demonstrated ability to identify needs and assess services in problem-solving.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulations and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate classes to enhance employability and self-sufficiency.
Demonstrated ability to speak publicly to community partners to establish Community Work Experience Program sites.
Demonstrated ability to interact with a diverse group of people.
Demonstrated ability to produce meaningful, clear, and concise documents with the proper grammar usage.
Demonstrated ability to read, understand, and interpret program/technical reports and related materials.
Ability to effectively listen, understand, and communicate information/ideas.
Ability to plan and organize to ensure program activities are implemented/maintained.
Ability to make and implement case decisions, made sound judgement within framework of existing guidance.
Ability to respond to client’s emotions in order to accomplish service objectives.
Ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to assess family’s strengths and needs in all areas.
Ability to objectively plan and reason.
Ability to interpret laws, policies, and regulations to ensure duties are performed in compliance with Federal, State, Local, and Agency guidelines, standards, regulations, policies, and laws.
Demonstrated ability to work well with others and maintain a positive and professional attitude.
Willing to work outside normal business hours.

Responsibilities

Gather and process accurate, comprehensive information to assess family strengths and needs while developing an individual and objective plan for safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency.
Conduct employment counseling to interview/assess client’s employability and/or child care needs.
Monitor client’s job search activities.
Communicate orally with clients and other professionals.
Inform clients of other available services.
Share and disseminate information with all involved parties while maintaining client confidentiality.
Engage with clients in a manner to make all informed decisions.
Empower clients to recognize needs in order to protect children, facilitate change.
Complete necessary planning and reporting requirements to comply with the Employment and Training Annual Plan and program guidance.
Plan, organize, and coordinate work to ensure program activities are implemented/maintained.
Facilitate/coordinate Job Readiness class.
Recruit non-profit agencies for participation in the Community Work Experience Program.
Explain responsibilities and expectations of Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) and Child Care programs.
Assist in managing Child Care Program including Service Intake.
Coordinate and conduct office and field visits.
Interpret laws, policies, and regulations to ensure duties are performed in compliance with Federal, State, Local, and Agency standards, guidelines, regulations, policies, and laws.
Document case records of client contact/activity and enter data accurately and timely in OASIS and/or the Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS).
Serve as Family Partnership Meeting (FPM) facilitator and Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT) rater.
Prepare reports for local and state administration.
May provide after hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in child and adult protective services and/or foster care.
Participate in Emergency Shelter training and exercises and staff emergency shelter during disaster periods.