Family Services Specialist III- Permanency

Virginia Department of Social Services•Front Royal, VA

About The Position

Being a Permanency Worker is more than just a job; it's a calling to make a profound impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families. This pivotal role involves advocating for the well-being of children placed in foster care, working closely with biological and foster families to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment. As a Permanency Worker, you will have the unique opportunity to guide and support children through challenging transitions, ensuring they receive the care, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive. 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-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. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Responsibilities

Assessment and Placement Assess children's needs: Determine the child's physical, emotional, and developmental needs, including any special needs or disabilities.
Assess foster homes: Evaluate the suitability of potential foster homes, ensuring they meet the child's needs and offer a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.
Place children in foster homes: Match children with appropriate foster families, considering factors like age, gender, special needs, and the child's history.
Supervise placements: Monitor the child's well-being and progress in the foster home, making adjustments as needed.
Advocacy and Support Advocate for children: Represent the child's interests in court, with other agencies, and with family members.
Provide support to foster families: Offer training, counseling, and resources to help foster parents meet the needs of the children in their care.
Coordinate services: Work with schools, medical providers, therapists, and other service providers to ensure the child receives comprehensive care.
Family Reunification and Permanency Facilitate family reunification: Work with biological families to help them address the issues that led to the child's placement, with the goal of reuniting the child with their birth family whenever possible.
Plan for permanency: When reunification is not possible, explore other options like adoption or Independent Living.
Program Development and Improvement You will play a crucial role in developing and implementing new programs and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of foster care services. This may involve designing training programs, developing case management systems, and collaborating with other stakeholders to identify system-wide challenges.
Leading and Mentoring Working with less experienced workers to enhance knowledge and skill development.