Family Services Specialist III - CPS Frontline, Frederick County, VA

New LHRC External Career Site•Winchester, VA

About The Position

This is a professional Family Services Specialist III, full performance position within Child Protective Services. The employee independently manages Family Assessment and Investigations involving allegations of child abuse and neglect, including screening referrals for validity, conducting interviews, assessing safety and risk, and determining appropriate interventions in accordance with state and local policy. The Family Services Specialist III develops, implements, and monitors written safety plans; completes required SDM tools; documents all contacts and assessments in the state case management system within established timeframes; and ensures compliance with all state and local mandates. The position coordinates services with community partners, law enforcement, medical providers, schools, and legal professionals to ensure child safety, permanency, and well-being. The employee prepares court documentation, affidavits, and reports; files petitions when necessary; and testifies in criminal and civil court proceedings. The position may accompany children and families to court and other required appointments and provides case management services until case closure or transition to ongoing services. The Family Services Specialist III provides after-hours on-call coverage and responds to emergency CPS situations exercising sound professional judgment under stressful and time-sensitive conditions. The position operates with a high degree of independence while keeping the supervisor informed of significant case developments and seeking consultation in unusually complex or difficult situations. The employee establishes and maintains accurate case records, enters and updates case information in the state computer system, adheres to confidentiality requirements, and represents Frederick County Department of Social Services in a professional manner consistent with agency mission, values, and policy. The Family Services Specialist III is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist IV class by the latter’s functioning as a lead worker, or an expert resource specialist.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field and 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 knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; legal procedures as related to program area; and social, economic, and health problems.
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; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; investigate high risk cases; testify in court proceedings; develop and present training programs and other presentations; interpret program laws, policies and regulations; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client’s emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships with others; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

Nice To Haves

Considerable experience in Child Protective Services and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Possession of a BSW or MSW degree.
A Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Considerable experience in the Family Team Meeting process.

Responsibilities

Manages Family Assessment and Investigations involving allegations of child abuse and neglect
Screens referrals for validity
Conducts interviews
Assesses safety and risk
Determines appropriate interventions in accordance with state and local policy
Develops, implements, and monitors written safety plans
Completes required SDM tools
Documents all contacts and assessments in the state case management system within established timeframes
Ensures compliance with all state and local mandates
Coordinates services with community partners, law enforcement, medical providers, schools, and legal professionals to ensure child safety, permanency, and well-being
Prepares court documentation, affidavits, and reports
Files petitions when necessary
Testifies in criminal and civil court proceedings
Provides case management services until case closure or transition to ongoing services
Provides after-hours on-call coverage and responds to emergency CPS situations
Establishes and maintains accurate case records
Enters and updates case information in the state computer system
Adheres to confidentiality requirements
Represents Frederick County Department of Social Services in a professional manner consistent with agency mission, values, and policy