Family Services Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Alexandria, VA

4d•$67,509 - $90,429

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist II provides intensive, specialized, and culturally competent social work services to individuals and families, using social work theory and a racial equity approach. The position focuses on identifying, engaging, assessing, and training prospective resource families, including foster parents, foster-to-adopt families, and kinship caregivers. These families care for children who cannot live with their parents and may support reunification. The specialist delivers applicant training, assesses applicants’ understanding and suitability, prepares resource home and ICPC assessments, monitors approved homes, and provides case management, supportive counseling, and crisis intervention to resource families. The role also supports recruitment, community outreach, agency training and recognition events, adoption placement processes, and resource home approval guidance. Telework may be available depending on assignment location and current City policy. The position includes rotating after-hours on-call coverage and may require evening and weekend work at community recruitment events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field, or a bachelor’s degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate, related experience in a human services area.
Considerable 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.
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 associated software, and in operating a motor vehicle.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to develop and present training programs and other presentations.
Ability to develop speeches and represent the agency at program training and workshops.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
Availability for rotating after-hours on-call duties and, as needed, evening and weekend community recruitment events.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide approved curriculum to resource parent and fictive kin applicants.
Assess applicants’ understanding of training materials, capacity to participate in the resource parent program, and ability to provide a safe, nurturing home.
Prepare written resource home and ICPC assessments using training, interviews, collateral information, and home visits; monitor homes after initial approval.
Manage resource home cases, including entering contacts into the OASIS statewide system, coordinating with the placement coordinator on placement options and family support, adding families to the Resource Home database, and gathering statistical data.
Provide supportive counseling to resource families addressing emotionally challenging decisions.
Provide timely crisis intervention to resource families caring for children placed in their homes.
Present to community, school, and professional groups about the need for resource parents in Alexandria.
Participate in developing and implementing a recruitment plan to increase the number of resource families of color.
Assist in developing agency-approved recruitment materials, including brochures, media campaigns, and events.
Manage recruitment materials and postings for information meetings; hold regular in-person, community, or virtual foster parent information meetings; attend community recruitment events, including evenings and weekends as needed.
Represent the agency on community workgroups and regional professional groups.
Coordinate with the Resource Parent Placement Coordinator on placement decisions as needed.
Help organize special training and recognition events for agency-approved resource parents.
Conduct reassessment visits with approved resource families to maintain certification.
Participate in the Adoption Placement Panel process.
Serve as a policy expert on resource home approval guidance.
Work with unit members to develop recruitment and training materials.
Participate in Family Partnership Meetings, Treatment Team Meetings, and case consultations as requested to support resource families and assist decision-making.
Provide after-hours on-call coverage on a rotating basis.
Perform related work as required.