Family Services Specialist III/IV

Virginia Department of Social Services•Lexington, VA

1d•$55,000

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist III is the specialist level in the Family Services class series. Employees specialize in program areas and handle complex work, including investigating suspected child or adult abuse and neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions. They may testify in legal proceedings and place children in foster or adoptive homes. They also contribute to outcomes through task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and outreach. Program areas generally include Adult or Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions; in some agencies, positions may also include Child Care and Employment Services duties. The Family Services Specialist IV is the beginning leadership level in the occupational group. Employees lead subordinate specialists and/or serve as expert resource specialists. They support supervisors by ensuring staff coverage, balancing workloads, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing backup supervision. They may consult on complex cases and perform complex casework such as individual or group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. They work independently within established policies and procedures, seeking supervisory assistance in unusually complicated or difficult situations. The class differs from Family Services Supervisor, whose work is primarily supervisory, including personnel matters and evaluating others’ work. The position monitors, coordinates, and administers assigned programs; provides case management and foster care services; investigates and assesses cases; develops service plans; coordinates community and legal services; maintains case records and reporting; and may provide after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies.

Requirements

Minimum of a bachelor's degree in a Human Services field, or a bachelor's degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area, pursuant to Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia.
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; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations related to human services; investigative and interviewing techniques; legal procedures related to the program area; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skill in operating a personal computer and associated software, and operating a motor vehicle.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; interview and assess needs; counsel and refer clients; investigate high-risk cases; testify in court; and develop and present training and other presentations.
Ability to interpret program laws, policies, and regulations; develop and implement service plans; analyze case information and make sound judgments within applicable laws and policies; and respond constructively to clients’ emotions.
Ability to work in stressful situations while maintaining diplomacy; plan and manage work activities, service delivery, reporting, correspondence, and recordkeeping; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay current with developments in social work.

Nice To Haves

A BSW or MSW degree.
A Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license.

Responsibilities

Monitor, coordinate, and administer assigned programs and coordinate services within the area of responsibility.
Write service plans, present cases to determine appropriate services, and manage program administration and caseloads.
Track expenditures, prepare and submit budget estimates, and ensure payment for services.
Interpret laws, policies, and regulations and complete required federal, state, and local planning and reporting.
Manage program waiting lists and provide case management to monitor compliance.
Provide foster care casework, train foster parents, submit progress reports to court, and transport children to placements, meetings, therapy, medical and dental appointments, and family visits.
Refer families to community treatment resources and provide parent education, family support, and intensive in-home counseling.
Interview and assess clients, explain service programs and participation rules, assign clients to appropriate groups, and prepare intervention status reports.
Monitor programs and serve as a resource to clients and the community in the area of expertise.
Provide after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in child or adult protective services and/or foster care.
Screen referrals, interview involved parties, investigate cases, and assess immediate and long-term risks to children.
Develop written service plans documenting case goals, objectives, and services.
Conduct visits, maintain contact with other professionals, accompany victims and families to court, support families, and file petitions.
Attend and testify in court, coordinate cases with attorneys, and prepare court-ordered home assessments and custody home studies.
Establish and maintain case records and enter, code, and update cases in the state information system.
Represent the agency at public and civic functions, deliver speeches, and provide training and workshops on child or adult abuse and neglect.
For Specialist IV duties, lead subordinate staff, help ensure staff coverage and workload balance, train staff, review case files, provide backup supervision, and consult on complex cases.