Family Services Specialist III - In-Home/Prevention

City of Chesapeake Portal•Chesapeake, VA

32d

About The Position

In-Home is an alignment of CPS Ongoing and Prevention Services that prioritizes family preservation through meaningful partnerships with families and their support systems to ensure child safety, permanency, and well-being. In particular, In-Home structures all case practices around three child safety scenarios: a child living in his or her own home; a child living temporarily with a relative (kin); or a child living long-term with a relative (kin) with regular visitation with parents. In-Home services focus on specific, integrated strategies directed towards teaming engagement efforts, collective, streamlined assessment decision-making, behavior-based safety goals, and needs-driven service provision. The purpose of the position is to supervise staff and/or provide support and assistance to agency clients for the area of responsibility. The position is responsible for staff supervision and/or client assessment, planning, counseling, education/training, monitoring, and reporting. The position works within broad policy and organizational guidelines; independently plans and implements projects; reports the progress of major activities through periodic meetings.

Requirements

VOCATIONAL / EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT : In order to be evaluated for vacancies in the Family Services Specialist job series, applicants shall possess the qualifications outlined in (1) OR (2) below: 1) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the human services field, including Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Counseling and Guidance, Counselor Education, Human Services, Sociology, Family and Child Development, Aging Studies, Gerontology, Criminal Justice with a minor in one of the above studies, or other related degrees determined by the Department of Human Resources based on the similarity of the curriculum and course content. 2) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years of appropriate and related, full-time equivalent experience in a human services related area. To be considered for promotion, persons currently employed in the Family Services Specialist job series by a local department prior to January 1, 1999, who do not meet the qualifications outlined in either (1) or (2) above, must possess four years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area and must have successfully completed all available competency-based training related to the promotional area.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT : In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of four years of appropriate and related, full-time equivalent experience.
SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES : Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with City Driving Standards .
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : Emergency Duty (On-Call) participation is required to comply with mandated responsibilities as listed under Section 63.2-1503,B; Section 63.2-900; and 63.2-1604-63.2-1610, Code of Virginia. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term departmental needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Nice To Haves

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
Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care
Performs investigative duties to include screens referrals for validity
Transports children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, doctor and dental appointments, and for visitation with families
Attends court, testifies in court and coordinates cases with attorneys Interviews all parties involved; assesses immediate and long-term dangers/risks to children
Develops written services plan documenting goals, objectives and details of the services provided for each case
Provides program administration and caseload management services
Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals
Accompanies victims and their families to court appearances
Serves as support for the family; files petitions
Testifies in criminal and civil cases; prepares court ordered home assessments and custody home studies
Establishes and maintains case records

Responsibilities

Conducts interviews or investigations and makes client/family assessments; formulates and implements plans; initiates and processes eligibility referrals.
Supervises staff and/or volunteers, including training, assigning and evaluating work, counseling, and disciplining.
Provides individual and group counseling for client and family; assists staff with crisis management.
Oversees programs and activities relating to resources and volunteers.
Interacts/coordinates with other agencies, organizations, or family/community members to provide services for client and family; makes referrals for other social services.
Conducts home visits to supervise, observe, and document family interactions, activities, and environment.
Approves expenditures for assigned area; provides fiscal data for preparation of annual budgets.
Provides direct services to client/family including teaching basic living, parenting, budgeting, or employment skills, and providing mediation counseling and transportation.
Collects and compiles information/data, and prepares routine and specialized reports; maintains files/records for area of responsibility.
Investigates/establishes collateral contacts.
Provides emergency services/crisis intervention for clients/families; prepares reports and documentation for court hearings; testifies in court; provides client placement as needed.
Performs routine office tasks such as dictating case notes, data entry, typing correspondence or forms, filing, faxing, telephoning, or photocopying.
Conducts workshops for teens; attends professional workshops and seminars to improve professional skills.
Selected applicants must be able to work after hours if needed to complete home visits and ensure service needs are being met.