Family Services Specialist III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Petersburg, VA

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist III monitors, coordinates, and administers assigned human services programs and provides case management and foster care casework. The role includes assessing clients and families, investigating referrals and risks to children, developing written service plans, coordinating community resources, managing program waiting lists and caseloads, and maintaining case records and state-system entries. The position may involve training foster parents, providing parent education and intensive in-home counseling, transporting children to placements and appointments, and supporting families through court proceedings. The specialist prepares reports and home assessments, files petitions, testifies in civil and criminal cases, and coordinates cases with attorneys and other professionals. The role also tracks program expenditures, prepares budget estimates and required reports, interprets applicable laws and policies, and represents the agency through community presentations and training. The specialist provides after-hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies involving protective services or foster care. Employees must be willing to work in a community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency. Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory completion of required background checks and screenings. The starting salary is $60,000 and may be higher depending on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

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.
Considerable experience in the assigned program area and completion of required training programs, or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; relevant human services laws, policies, and regulations; investigative and interviewing techniques; legal procedures; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skill operating a personal computer and associated software, and operating a motor vehicle.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; interview, assess, counsel, and refer clients; investigate high-risk cases; and testify in court.
Ability to 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, respond appropriately to clients' emotions, and work diplomatically in stressful situations.
Ability to plan and manage work activities, prepare reports and correspondence, maintain records, establish effective relationships, and stay current with developments in social work.
Finalist must provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a Central Registry search; employment is contingent on satisfactory checks and screenings.
Must be willing to work in a community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of case management experience in child welfare, such as CPS, In-Home and Prevention, or Permanency.
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, present cases, and develop goals, objectives, and details of services for each case.
Track expenditures, prepare and submit budget estimates, and ensure payment for services.
Interpret applicable laws, policies, and regulations and complete federal, state, and local planning and reporting requirements.
Manage program waiting lists, caseloads, and program administration.
Provide case management and foster care casework services, including monitoring compliance.
Train foster parents and submit progress reports to the court.
Refer families to community treatment resources and provide parent education and support.
Conduct intensive in-home counseling and prepare reports for referral sources about intervention status.
Interview and assess clients, assign them to appropriate groups, and explain service programs, rules, regulations, and rights.
Transport children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, medical and dental appointments, and family visits.
Attend court, testify, coordinate cases with attorneys, accompany victims and families to court, support families, and file petitions.
Prepare court-ordered home assessments and custody home studies.
Investigate referrals by screening for validity, interviewing involved parties, and assessing immediate and long-term risks to children.
Conduct visits and maintain contact with other professionals.
Establish and maintain case records and enter and update cases in the state computer information system.
Represent the agency at community functions and provide speeches, training, and workshops on child or adult abuse and neglect.
Provide after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in child or adult protective services and/or foster care.