Family Services Specialist III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Petersburg, VA

4d•$60,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist III monitors, coordinates, and administers assigned human services programs and coordinates services within areas of responsibility. The role provides case management and foster care casework, including assessing clients, developing written service plans, monitoring compliance, referring families to community treatment resources, and maintaining case records and state-system entries. The specialist may provide parent education and support, intensive in-home counseling, foster parent training, and reports on interventions and case progress. The position includes investigative responsibilities in child and adult protective services, including screening referrals, interviewing involved parties, and assessing immediate and long-term risks to children. The specialist attends and testifies in court, coordinates cases with attorneys, files petitions, prepares court-ordered home assessments and custody studies, and accompanies victims and families to court. Other duties include managing waiting lists and budgets, tracking expenditures and payments, interpreting laws and policies, completing reporting requirements, providing after-hours on-call coverage, transporting children, and representing the agency through presentations and training. The minimum education requirement is a bachelor’s degree in a human services field, or a bachelor’s degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate related human services experience. Considerable experience in the assigned program area and required training are also expected, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A BSW or MSW and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable. The starting salary is $60,000, with a possibility of a higher salary depending on qualifications and experience. Applicants may be subject to background, registry, driving-record, and drug-screen checks. Employees must be willing to work in a community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency.

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.
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, human services laws 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 and assess clients, counsel them, and refer them to resources as needed.
Ability to investigate high-risk cases and testify in court proceedings.
Ability to develop and present training programs, speeches, and other presentations.
Ability to interpret program laws, policies, and regulations and develop and implement service plans.
Ability to analyze case information and make sound judgments within applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
Ability to respond constructively to clients’ emotions and work effectively in stressful situations while maintaining diplomacy.
Ability to plan and manage work activities, service delivery, reporting, correspondence, recordkeeping, and related duties.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and stay abreast of current developments in social work.
Successful completion of required employment checks and screenings is required for an offer of employment.
Must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of case management experience in child welfare, including CPS, In-Home & 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 in 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 applicable to assigned program areas.
Complete federal, state, and local planning and reporting requirements.
Manage program waiting lists.
Provide case management services and monitor client compliance.
Provide foster care casework services and train foster parents.
Submit progress reports to the court and prepare reports to referral sources about interventions.
Refer families to treatment resources in the community and provide parent education and support.
Conduct intensive in-home counseling.
Interview and assess clients and assign them to appropriate groups; explain available programs, rules, regulations, and client rights.
Transport children to placements, meetings, therapy, medical and dental appointments, and family visits.
Attend court, testify in court, coordinate cases with attorneys, accompany victims and families to court, and file petitions.
Conduct investigations, including screening referrals, interviewing involved parties, and assessing immediate and long-term risks to children.
Develop written service plans documenting goals, objectives, and services provided for each case.
Provide program administration and caseload management.
Conduct visits and maintain contact with other professionals.
Prepare court-ordered home assessments and custody home studies; testify in criminal and civil cases.
Establish and maintain case records; code, enter, and update cases in the state computer information system.
Represent the agency at functions and deliver speeches, training, and workshops on child and adult abuse and neglect.
Provide after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in child or adult protective services and/or foster care.
Work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.