Family Services Specialist III

Virginia Department of Social Services•Berryville, VA

6d•$55,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

Clarke County Social Services is seeking a motivated individual to join the family services specialist team. Every member of our team is responsible for delivering services with trust, empathy and understanding. We are seeking applicants with a strong commitment to make a real and positive difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities. Our small, manageable caseloads allow for greater flexibility with schedules, increased engagement with families and better work-life balance. Joining our Family Services team fosters an opportunity to achieve positive outcomes and shared goals with families in the beautiful community of Clarke County. Our agency strongly believes in prevention, safety and keeping our families together, and children in our community, whenever possible. The Family Services Specialist III specializes in program areas and assumes responsibility for more complex, difficult cases in Child Protective, Adult Protective Services, Foster Care/Adoption or Prevention services. This position operates with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory input only in unusually difficult/complex situations.

Requirements

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.
Skill in: operating a personal computer and the associated software; and the operation of a motor vehicle.
Demonstrated ability to: provide guidance and training in program areas to other employees if required in specific assignment; write court reports, home studies, evaluations, mediation agreements, letters, committee reports, presentations, and general information; make clinical judgments, assess clients’ needs, and formulate plan of action; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; investigate high profile 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/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.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Supervisory experience or work experience in a leadership role; supervising Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Adult Services, and Intake staff.
Experience with and understanding of agency software programs such as Compass, OASIS, and Safe Measures.

Responsibilities

Interpreting laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific areas of responsibility.
Managing difficult, complex cases in CPS, APS, foster care, adoptions, and/or In Home services.
Provide guidance, mentorship, and consultation to Family Service Specialist I/II.
Provide supervisory support when the supervisor is not available.
Develop and deliver training for staff.
Interview and assess clients, develop individualized service plans, provide crisis intervention, and conduct home visits.
Prepare court documents, reports, and evaluations as required by the Court.
Prepare and provide court testimony.
Coordinate with community partners and interagency teams for service delivery.
Track expenditures, ensure financial compliance, and prepare reports as needed.
Provide after-hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.
Performs intake functions for CPS/APS intake to include screening reports for validity.