Family Services Specialist III/IV

Virginia Department of Social Services•Lexington, VA

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist III is the specialist level in the Family Services class series. Employees specialize in program areas and perform complex duties, including investigating suspected child or adult abuse and neglect, handling out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster or adoptive homes. They may participate in task forces and strategic planning, mentor and teach others, and conduct outreach. Program areas generally include Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions; in some agencies, the role may also include Child Care and Employment Services. The Family Services Specialist IV is the beginning leadership level in the occupational group. Employees act as lead workers for subordinate family services specialists and/or as expert resource specialists. They support supervisors by arranging staff coverage, balancing workloads, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing back-up staff supervision. They may consult on complex cases and handle complex assignments such as therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. They work with a high degree of independence under established policies and procedures, seeking supervisory assistance for unusually complicated or difficult cases. The IV level differs from the Family Services Supervisor role, which spends most of its time on supervisory activities, personnel matters, and evaluating others’ work. Work may include program administration and coordination, case management, investigations and assessments, service planning, foster care casework, court-related work, client and family support, training, reporting, and community outreach. The role may require after-hours on-call coverage and response to emergencies in child or adult protective services and/or foster care.

Requirements

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, consistent with 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; human-services laws, policies, and regulations; investigative and interviewing techniques; relevant legal procedures; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skill in operating a personal computer and associated software, and a motor vehicle.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel, and refer clients; investigate high-risk cases; testify in court; develop and deliver training and presentations; interpret program laws and policies; and develop and implement service plans.
Ability to analyze case information and make sound judgments within applicable laws, policies, and regulations; respond appropriately to clients' emotions; work in stressful situations while maintaining diplomacy; and manage work activities, service delivery, reports, correspondence, and records.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and stay current with trends and 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 areas of responsibility.
Write service plans and present cases to determine appropriate services.
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 services, train foster parents, and submit progress reports to courts.
Refer families to community treatment resources and provide parent education and support.
Transport children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, medical and dental appointments, and family visits.
Attend court, testify in legal proceedings, and coordinate cases with attorneys.
Conduct intensive in-home counseling and prepare reports for referral sources on intervention status.
Interview and assess clients, assign them to appropriate groups, and explain available programs, rules, regulations, and participation rights.
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.
Investigate referrals by screening for validity, interviewing involved parties, and assessing immediate and long-term risks to children.
Develop written service plans documenting goals, objectives, and services for each case.
Conduct visits and maintain contact with other professionals; accompany victims and families to court; support families and file petitions.
Prepare court-ordered home assessments and custody home studies; establish and maintain case records; and enter and update cases in the state computer information system.
Represent the agency at functions, deliver speeches, and provide training and workshops on child or adult abuse and neglect.
For Specialist IV duties, provide lead-worker or expert-resource support, ensure staff coverage and workload balance, train staff, review case files, and provide back-up supervision.
Consult on complex cases and may perform complex therapeutic, crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, prevention, and education assignments.