Family Services Specialist III-CPS

Virginia Department of Social Services • Verona, VA

1d • $51,001 - $53,551 • Onsite

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist III with the Child Protective Services unit is a professional position under the supervision of a Family Services Supervisor. This role performs in program areas and assumes more complex duties such as interviewing/investigating cases involving suspected child abuse, neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency removal, and protective orders. Responsibilities include testifying in legal proceedings and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employees will have contact with others and influence outcomes by participating in task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. They will develop and implement service plans for children and caretakers and maintain records throughout the client's service relationship with the agency. This role performs work with specific ancillary agencies such as Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, Law Enforcement agencies, and mental health professionals. The Family Services Worker III may report to the Family Services Specialist Supervisor or CPS Senior Worker. Assists in providing emergency shelter as mandated and required. Performs any other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or a 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
• Considerable experience in the assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience
• 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
• Skills in operating a personal computer and the associated software
• Skills in 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 investigate high risk cases
• Demonstrated ability to testify in court proceedings
• Demonstrated ability to develop and present training programs and other presentations
• Demonstrated ability to interpret program laws, policies and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client
• Demonstrated ability to analyze case information to make sound judgements within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to respond to the client’s emotions in order to accomplish services objectives
• Demonstrated ability to develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, recordkeeping responsibilities and related activities
• Demonstrated ability to establish and effective relationships with others in the community
• Acceptable Central Registry, Criminal Background and DMV Driving Records are required
• Must pass the agency’s background checks
• Possession of a valid driver’s license allowing operation of a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of Virginia is required
• Driving record must meet local agency policy requirements

Nice To Haves

• Completion of required agency and program specific training
• Complete emergency shelter duty training and serve in shelters as mandated and required

Responsibilities

• Interviewing/investigating cases involving suspected child abuse, neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency removal, and protective orders
• Testifying in legal proceedings
• Placing children in foster/adoptive homes
• Participating in task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach
• Developing and implementing service plans for children and caretakers
• Maintaining records
• Performing work with specific ancillary agencies such as Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, Law Enforcement agencies, and mental health professionals
• Assisting in providing emergency shelter as mandated and required

What This Job Offers

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