Family Services Specialist III - Permanency / Independent Living

New LHRC External Career Site•Suffolk, VA

About The Position

This 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-ofhome 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. The Family Services Specialist III is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist IV class by the latter’s functioning as a lead worker, or an expert resource specialist. Under limited supervision, facilitates, coordinates, and supervises the counseling and case management aspect in multiple social work service programs administered by the City Social Services Department including protective services for adults and children, foster care and/or quality performance initiatives. May coordinate specific services provided by the department with overall responsibility for the daily activities and outcomes. Tasks include screening clients and explaining multiple social work service programs, determining and pursuing necessary action to meet client needs, counseling clients, and providing or assisting in obtaining access to necessary human services assistance, assessing and making recommendations for improved work quality. Maintains various records and case files. Prepares required reports. Manage the CPS/APS hotline to receive complaints and enter them into the OASIS system and PeerPlace. Complete referrals on behalf of the clients to outside community resources for assistance. Position requires CPS/APS on-call responsibilities and disaster shelter duties in the event of local emergencies. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Requirements

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 (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).

Nice To Haves

Considerable experience (typically 5-7 years) in assigned program area/human services programs and completion of required training programs.
Work experience in a leadership role.
Equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Responsibilities

Case manages and provides support to older youth and teens in foster care
Facilitates groups
Conducts intensive assessments to include behavioral health and independent living skills
Must be flexible to meet the hours and needs of the children in care and their families
Supervises assigned subordinate staff members.
Instructs, assigns and reviews work.
Plans the work of others.
Maintains standards through the effective coordination of activities.
Provides guidance and assistance in completing daily tasks.
Completes performance appraisals for subordinate personnel.
Provides input for developmental needs of staff members.
Coordinates Child Welfare and Adult Services programs.
Establishes and updates procedures.
Monitors program and outcomes.
Provides recommendations for improvements and changes to the program to meet program goals.
Acts as the lead worker in special program areas including group work services and community planning and organization.
Provides input and recommendations and participates in planning and evaluating department programs.
Interacts with and performs tasks to assist clients.
Interviews and counsels clients.
Performs intake and crisis intervention for clients.
Conducts investigations and prepares evaluations.
Meets with clients to prepare evaluations.
Counsels clients and designs service plans including participation in benefits programs, group and individual counseling sessions, medical or psychiatric treatment and related needs.
Coordinates clients’ access to services.
Maintains contact with clients and their families.
Conducts home visits as needed.
Assists clients with services to facilitate stability including counseling, transportation, health services and program referral.
Prepares court reports and service plans for court.
Testifies in court for matters of support, disposition hearings and criminal proceedings.
Receives and responds to inquiries and provides information based on general knowledge of Social Service programs.
Refers inquiries to appropriate personnel.
Contacts approved vendors to obtain services for clients in areas of housing, utilities, medical assistance, food and related services.
Arranges payment through department and/or community service agencies.
Conducts CPS or APS investigations.
Determines status of Differential Response or validity of complaints.
Supervises entry level Family Services Workers.
Processes necessary documentation to ensure proper payment to service providers.
Completes routine office tasks to support daily office operations.
Composes and types correspondence and forms.
Answers incoming calls, provides information, forwards calls or takes messages.
Copies documents.
Faxes information.
Makes presentations to community and civic groups pertaining to multiple social work programs.
Assists in various community service projects.
Remains available for emergency after hour duties.
Completes mandated training in various Family Services Units as required.
Performs other related duties as required.