Family Services Specialist III (King and Queen)

New LHRC External Career Site • King and Queen Court House, VA

110d

About The Position

King and Queen County is hiring a compassionate Family Services Specialist III to help children, families, and vulnerable adults. This is the specialist level in the class series for Family Services. Employees specialize in program areas and assume more complex duties such as interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employees have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Programs areas generally include Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Additionally, in some agencies, positions may be partly dedicated to Child Care and Employment Services in addition to other program areas.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices
• Knowledge of human behavior and motivational theory
• Knowledge of laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas
• Knowledge of investigating and interviewing techniques
• Knowledge of legal procedures as related to program area
• Knowledge of social, economic, and health problems
• Skill in operating a personal computer and associated software
• Skill in operating a motor vehicle
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed
• Ability to investigate high risk cases
• Ability to testify in court proceedings
• Ability to develop and present training programs and other presentations
• Ability to interpret program laws, policies and regulations
• Ability to develop and implement service plans to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to the client
• Ability to analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations
• Ability to respond to the client's emotions to accomplish service objectives
• Ability to develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops
• Ability to work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy
• Ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports, and correspondence
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others
• Ability to stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree is desirable
• Demonstrated experience and/or training in child welfare is desirable
• Demonstrated experience in working with families is desirable

Responsibilities

• Monitors, coordinates and administers specific assigned programs
• Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility
• Writes service plans, and presents cases to determine appropriate services
• Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services
• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility
• Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements
• Manages program waiting lists
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance
• Provides foster care casework services
• Trains foster parents; submits progress reports to the court
• Refers families to treatment resources within the community
• 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
• Provides parent education and support for families in target population
• Conducts intensive in-home counseling; prepares reports to referral sources regarding status of various interventions
• Interviews and assesses clients and assigns to appropriate groups
• Informs clients of service programs and the rules and regulations, and right to participate
• Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility
• Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise
• 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
• 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
• Codes, enters and updates new and on-going cases in the state computer information system
• Represents the agency at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, providing training and workshops on child/adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Bachelor's degree